Like age, arthritis has a way of creeping up on you until one morning, that occasional stiffness in the knee or soreness in the hands turns into "That hurts!" type of pain. Prolonged physical activity only prolongs the soreness. Arthritis is a general medical term that refers to inflammation of the joints. The word "arthritis" is a blend of the Greek words "arthron" for joint and "itis" for inflammation. Frequent cracking of the joints and early morning stiffness are common symptoms of osteoarthritis, even during pain-free periods. Some will joke that they can tell a weather change is ahead when their knees act up, but that"s because painful joints can be sensitive to a falling of barometric pressure, which signals rain in the forecast. Arthritis often begins subtly with a little ache and stiffness in the knees or shoulders. Or it may herald its arrival with sharp pain and swollen, tender joints. Arthritis takes center stage, however, when you feel as stiff as...