Basic Facts

• Do you have tight joints when you get up in the morning?
• Do your hands, knees, hips, neck, or lower back hurt more now than they did before?
• Have you realized that parts of your hands and feet joints have swollen?
• Is it becoming more difficult to move in general?
• If you responded yes to any of these queries, you might have Arthritis, which is the most prevalent joint condition among the elderly.

What Is Arthritis and How Does It Affect You?

Osteoarthritis is the most prevalent kind of Arthritis. It is more common in elderly individuals since it is the consequence of years of wear and tears on the body, most often from regular physical activity or previous traumas.

All that history eventually takes its toll, particularly on your joints, the places where two or more bones meet. The word "arthritis" literally means "inflamed joint."

Surprising Facts About Arthritis

• Arthritis is a broad word that refers to a variety of conditions. There are about 100 different kinds of Arthritis.
•  Arthritis has no known treatment.
• In the United States, about one out of every four individuals suffers from the disease in some form. This equals 54 million individuals.
• Arthritis affects 60% of working-age people in the United States (18 to 64).
•  Osteoarthritis is the most prevalent kind of Arthritis, which causes joint pain and stiffness. The wrist, neck, hand, back, knee, and hip can all be affected by osteoarthritis.
• There are numerous other types of Arthritis, including Rheumatoid Arthritis, gout, and lupus.
• Each year, $140 billion is spent on medical expenditures associated with Arthritis.
• Rheumatoid arthritis affects over 300,000 infants and children.
• Accordin to projections, doctor-diagnosed Arthritis is expected to affect 78.4 million individuals by 2040. That is greater than the population of the United Kingdom. 
•   A sports injury, such as a ruptured anterior cruciate ligament (ACL), might cause Arthritis later in life in certain people.
• Osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis are triggered by the body's immune system destroying its tissues.

• Gout is caused by uric acid accumulation in the joints, which results in the development of excruciating needle-like crystal deposits.
• A rheumatologist is an orthopedic surgeon who specializes in Arthritis.
• Only 7% of rheumatologists work in rural regions, which account for 20% of the population.
• Arthritis affects around one-third of the adult population.
• In the United States, Arthritis is the most significant cause of disability.
• Arthritis takes away 172 million workdays each year.
• In 2013, Arthritis cost in the US $304 billion in direct medical expenditures and lost earnings.
• Women are more likely than males to get Arthritis (26 percent) (18 percent ).
• Arthritis pain can be alleviated in several ways. Those who suffer can benefit from maintaining a healthy weight, participating in low-impact exercise, and enrolling in a self-management education program.
• The-Centers-for-Disease-Control and Prevention (CDC) help national organizations in conducting intervention initiatives. For example, The National-Recreation and Park Association has used CDC funds to support at least 240 local park groups in 48 states.

Things you should know about Arthritis.

Arthritis is a painful condition.

Arthritis causes one or more of your joints to become inflamed, resulting in chronic pain, stiffness, swelling, and loss of mobility. Flareups can occur at any time.

It has an impact on your entire body, not just your hands.

Osteoarthritis, among other joints, can damage your hips, back, knees, and shoulders. Discomfort may interfere with your regular activities, including your ability to work.

 Arthritis is a disease.

Arthritis is a complex illness with approximately 100 distinct subtypes. The most common types are osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, psoriasis, and gout, and while they all have the same symptom, their causes differ.

 Even though there is no therapy, early diagnosis and treatment are important.

The first step in treating osteoarthritis is to control your pain, followed by physiotherapy and  adjusting your lifestyle to maintain a healthy body weight and stop smoking. Another option is surgery, which is especially useful for those who have hip and knee issues.

The weather has an impact.

The weather might exacerbate your discomfort. Your Arthritis may flare up if the air pressure changes. It's an excellent time to take ibuprofen, use ice, and start stretching to get some respite from the cold.

Relief may take many forms, including hot and cold.

If your joints are in pain, start with a covered ice pack to decrease inflammation, switch to heat after forty-eight hours to open up the blood vessels and give further comfort.

Injuries might increase your chance of developing Arthritis.

By the age of 65, young individuals with knee injuries are six times more likely to develop osteoarthritis in that joint. Those who have suffered a hip injury are three times more likely.

It's not only for grown-ups.

Arthritis affects children as well. Rheumatoid Arthritis affects over 300,000 children in the US under the age of 18, with females being affected more frequently than boys.

It's tough to tell if a child has juvenile Arthritis.

There is no monitoring for Juvenile Arthritis, as there is for osteoarthritis in adults. Constant joint pain or inflammation, unexplained skin rashes, a fever, swelling of the lymph nodes, or irritation of other organs in the body are all possible symptoms. Make sure your pediatrician is aware of your child's symptoms.