|
Even if you don't have arthritis, you probably know somebody who does. Nearly 43 million
Americans -- one in six people, or 15% of the population -- have some kind of arthritis.
Arthritis is a general term used to describe more than 100 chronic diseases of the joints, bones, and
muscles. The two most common and best known types of arthritis are
osteoarthritis, a wearing away of
the cushioning cartilage in the joints; and rheumatoid arthritis, an autoimmune disease that causes painful
and often disabling joint inflammation.
Arthritis also includes a range of diseases that affect the muscles, connective tissues and organs, such as
fibromyalgia, lupus, ankylosing spondylitis, osteoporosis, scleroderma, gout, and even Lyme disease.
Symptoms can range from pain and stiffness in a few joints to serious and severe damage to many joints
and internal organs.
The symptoms and seriousness of arthritic diseases vary widely. It can be a mild condition you can
control with over-the-counter pain relievers -- or it can cause severe pain and inflammation that can
drastically change your life. Left untreated, some forms of arthritis can be life-threatening.
You may also have heard arthritis called rheumatism: the terms are used interchangeably by some
people today, and arthritis specialists are still called rheumatologists.
Who gets arthritis?
Arthritis strikes almost twice as many women than men, but rheumatic diseases can attack people of any
age or race, and either gender. Nearly 300,000 children have arthritis, and almost everyone over the age
of 60 eventually gets some kind of the wear-and-tear osteoarthritis.
Altogether, these rheumatic diseases are the leading cause of disability in the United States.
According to the Arthritis Foundation:
-
Arthritis is the reason for 39 million physician visits and more than half a million
hospitalizations every year.
-
Arthritis is second only to heart disease as a cause of work disability, costing the nation $65
billion each year.
-
As the Baby Boomers age, the number of people with arthritis could surge to
nearly 60 million, or almost 20% of the population.
-
By the year 2020, one in five people will have
some kind of arthritis.
-
There is no cure for most types of arthritis. That said, many forms of arthritis respond to a wide
range of conventional treatments, self-care techniques, and alternative therapies. If you have
arthritis, you don't have to face a life of pain; you can live a normal life.
Most Common Types of Arthritis
Below are some common forms of arthritis and related conditions:
-
1. Osteoarthritis, sometimes called degenerative joint disease, results when the
cushioning cartilage in the joints breaks down, causing pain and stiffness. It is the
most common arthritis, affecting 20.7 million Americans, mostly after age 45.
-
2 Rheumatoid arthritis, an autoimmune disease that inflames the lining of the joints,
is one of the most serious and disabling types of arthritis, affecting more than 2.1
million Americans.
-
3. Fibromyalgia is a chronic pain disorder that causes fatigue, sleep disturbances, and
widespread pain in the muscles and tendons, particularly in the neck, spine,
shoulders, and hips. It affects about 3.7 million people, mostly women.
-
4. Gout is a painful condition that may attack both small and large joints, often
beginning in the big toe. It affects 2.1 million Americans, mostly men and
postmenopausal women.
-
5. Lupus (full name: systemic lupus erythematosus, or SLE) is a serious autoimmune
disorder that can inflame and damage joints and other connective tissues throughout the
body. It affects 239,000 people, nearly all women.
-
6. Juvenile arthritis refers to all types of arthritis that affect children, including
juvenile rheumatoid arthritis (the most common) and childhood forms of lupus and
ankylosing spondylitis. All told, an estimated 285,000 children under the age of 17 have
some form of arthritis.
-
7. Other types of arthritis include infections of the joints (infectious arthritis), fusing of
the spine (ankylosing spondylitis), or a hardening of the skin and internal organs
(scleroderma).
Some causes and risk factors
Researchers don't know what causes most kinds of arthritis. However, risk factors for some kinds of
arthritis include:
-
1. Being a woman Overall, twice as many women as men get arthritis.
-
2. Heredity. Some types of arthritis -- including weakness in joints or bone -- may be inherited.
-
3. Repeated joint injuries or stresses, from sports or work that wear away cartilage in the
joints.
Signs and Symptoms
Arthritis symptoms vary, but if you notice any of the following for more than two weeks, see your
doctor soon. Some kinds of arthritis need early and aggressive treatment to prevent or lessen
irreversible joint damage.
-
1. Swelling in one or more joints, especially with warmth and redness
-
2. Stiffness around the joints that lasts for at least one hour in the early morning
-
3. Constant or recurring pain or tenderness in a joint
-
4. Sudden difficulty using or moving a joint normally
Treatment Options for Arthritis
Most kinds of arthritis are chronic, and thus can't be cured. And some kinds of arthritis, such as
osteoarthritis, seem to be part of the aging process. That may be why half of Americans who have
arthritis don't think anything can be done to help them.
However, you can do a great deal to ease some of the symptoms of arthritis and continue your normal
lifestyle. Over-the-counter pain relievers and anti-inflammatories may be all you need. There is also an
array of prescription drugs to help with more serious kinds of arthritis, including several new drugs for
rheumatoid arthritis. In severe cases of joint damage, surgery can help restore joint function and mobility.
You're in charge
Lifestyle changes can also help, especially if you take an active role in managing your condition.
Maintaining your most appropriate weight, exercising regularly, and avoiding joint injuries can lessen your
chances of getting osteoarthritis and help you cope better with the symptoms of all kinds of arthritis.
Alternative therapies may also help with many arthritis symptoms. Self-help programs can give you coping
skills and practical advice. Mind/body practices such as meditation and relaxation can relieve pain, stress,
and depression. Yoga and Tai Chi are gentle exercises that also offer some benefits of meditation.
Aquatic exercise programs can help maintain conditioning with low impact on joints.
But don't believe claims for herbs and dietary supplements that "cure" arthritis or that they
"regrow"
cartilage. Some, such as glucosamine, may help relieve symptoms, but there is no cure for most kinds of
arthritis. Don't give up your regular medication to try these unproven therapies. Using proven therapies,
you'll most likely be able to enjoy a high quality of life despite having arthritis.
|
