(Health Secrets Newsletter) Arthritis is a disease that causes pain and loss of movement of the joints. The word "arthritis" literally means joint inflammation (arth=joint, ritis=inflammation), and refers to more than 100 different diseases. Mainstream medicine uses a variety of pain relievers and other drugs to try to manage arthritis, often with very little success. The good news for many arthritis sufferers is that there are natural and alternative solutions that can help eliminate or lessen the pain and debilitating effects of arthritis.