Arthritis is a term used to describe a group of chronic diseases that involve inflammation and damage to the joints in the body. It encompasses various conditions, including arthritis types like rheumatoid arthritis, gout, psoriatic arthritis, ankylosing spondylitis, and osteoarthritis. In some forms of arthritis like osteoarthritis, there is a breakdown of cartilage in the joints without an active inflammation process, so the proper term would be arthrosis. These conditions can lead to pain, swelling, and reduced joint function.