The Basics Of Arthritis
Arthritis is a medical condition that affects our musculoskeletal system. Arthritis specifically affects the joints of the bones. Though, generally, considered to be a single medical condition, it is not so. Arthritis encompasses more than 100 conditions that affect over 46 million people all over the United States. Of these, more than 300,000 are children alone! Arthritis in children is known as Juvenile Rheumatoid Arthritis.
Arthritis affects the cartilage of the joints, causing pain, stiffness, and inflammation, in addition to damage. The joint cartilage is that smooth tissue covering the bone ends. It is quite tough and enables one bone to glide against another without effort. Depending on where the joint is located, the after effects of the damage to the cartilage are joint weakness, its instability, and deformities, if any. Depending on the type of arthritis one suffers from, it can affect normal and simple tasks, such as walking and climbing the stairs. Arthritis is also known to make food cutting difficult, as well as teeth brushing.
Arthritis is not the disease of the old, as once thought. Though this medical condition is more common among the elderly, arthritis can develop at any age, including as a child. Osteoarthritis – a condition that affects one or more joints - is the most common form of arthritis and affects people over 60. Currently, it is known to affect over 21 million Americans – a whopping 10 percent of the population! Rheumatoid Arthritis affects the internal organs of the body, as well as the joints. Around 2.1 million people in the United States, which is over 1 percent of its total population, suffer from rheumatoid arthritis.
The Arthritis Myths
Arthritis is not something new, and has been around for thousands of years. No wonder, there have been many misconceptions about it. Many people think that arthritis is only about pains in the joints and is not a health problem that needs to be taken seriously. Once affected by arthritis, they come to the conclusion that nothing can be done but to stoically suffer the pain and disabilities it brings. Far from it – a lot can be done to alleviate the pain and aches caused by arthritis.
Arthritis needs to be taken seriously as in its various forms it affects around one in three adults in the United States. It is the major cause of disability in work places. It is estimated that one way or the other, arthritis costs over $124 billion each year. This includes the cost of medical expenses (including professional fee, tests, medicines, surgeries, etc), and lost of wages due to disability, among others.
Though there may be no permanent cure, there are ways by which the pains and aches of arthritis can de relieved. With the advancement in treatments and medications, new exercise regimens, and newer forms of surgeries, it has been possible to improve the loss of limb functions due to arthritis, and further slow down the destruction of the joints.
Today, for a person suffering from any form of arthritis, there is a future.
Veronika Lepinski is the author of Specialist Arthritis, a trusted source of information about arthritis & treatments. www.specialistarthritis.com/
