Arthritis is a term referring to a group of conditions involving damage to the joints of the body. It can be the inflammatory or the anti-inflammatory type. As per the information provided by the Centers for Disease Control, about 46 million Americans suffer from one or the other form of arthritis. In this article we will only focus on inflammatory arthritis type. When arthritis involves the immune system and inflammation, it is termed as inflammatory arthritis. Rheumatoid arthritis, gout, lupus arthritis, etc., come under this type. They can either develop because the body fails to recognize its own tissues and begins destroying them (autoimmune disorders) or due to bacterial attack. Pain, swelling, redness in joints, increased temperature in joints, stiffness, etc., are the different symptoms associated with the same. Early diagnosis and inflammatory arthritis treatment will help control the condition to some extent. Anti-inflammatory Medication To reduce inflammation of the joints, aspirin, ibuprofen, naproxen, indometacin, or diclofenac are prescribed. These non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs reduce inflammation and alleviate pain. They work by blocking the production of certain chemicals that conduce to inflammation. Within a few hours after taking these drugs, one finds relief from pain and inflammation. In order to retard the progress of this degenerative disease, medications such as methotrexate and sulfasalazine are given. However, medications have their respective side effects, such as stomach ache, heartburn, rashes, wheezing, ulcers, dizziness, headaches, etc. Then again most inflammatory arthritis medications do not deal with the root cause, instead control the symptoms propping up. Natural Measures to Treat Inflammatory Arthritis Certain natural remedies and measures also help alleviate the symptoms to some extent. Let's take a look. Inflammatory Arthritis Diet Diet plays an important role in alleviating inflammatory arthritis. Eating the right kind of food can help reduce the pain associated with this condition. Foods can be divided into inflammatory foods and anti-inflammatory foods. Junk foods like pizzas, hamburgers, fried chicken, etc., should be avoided. Moreover, milk and other dairy products should also be avoided. One should eat anti-inflammatory foods like fruits, vegetables, and foods high in omega-3 essential fatty acids (fish, walnut, flaxseed). This will help reduce inflammation in the joints, thereby alleviating pain. Herbs Incorporating certain herbs such as turmeric, rosemary, and ginger are seen to be effective in alleviating inflammation and pain associated with this condition. The vitamin A and E present in them benefits one's joints and helps reduce inflammation in the body. Exercise By maintaining a regular exercise regimen one can reduce the stiffness in the joints that occur in inflammatory arthritis. Lack of exercise can result in stiffness, which further results in immobility of the joints. Thus, even if the joints hurt, one should exercise regularly to keep the joints active. Moreover, exercise also helps maintain one's weight. Overweight people are seen to experience even more pain and inflammation problems. By eating and exercising right, one can somewhat slow down the progress of inflammatory arthritis and can also alleviate the pain associated with this painful condition. These natural remedies if followed can help enhance one's overall health. Depending on one's condition, the doctor will prescribe the necessary drugs required to treat the symptoms and retard its progress. Disclaimer: This Buzzle article is for informative purposes only, and should not be used as a replacement for expert medical advice.