It refers to more than 100 different diseases. These diseases usually affect the area in or around joints, such as muscles and tendons. Some of these diseases can also affect other parts of the body, including the skin and internal organs.
Arthritis usually causes stiffness, pain and fatigue.
The severity varies from person to person, and even from day to day. In some people, only a few joints are affected and the impact may be small. In other people, the entire body system may be affected. Arthritis is usually chronic. This means it could last on and off for as long as a lifetime.