Understanding Arthritis
What is arthritis:
Arthritis is a disease that causes pain, swelling, and reduced movement in your joints. It is common in people who are 50 and older but can occur at any age. There are over 100 different forms of the illness. The two most common forms are:
Osteoarthritis: damage to a joint’s cartilage (cushions that connect bones) causing the bones to rub against each other.
Rheumatoid arthritis: the body’s immune system attacks the lining of the membrane in the joints causing damage to cartilage.
What are the symptoms:
Symptoms can be different depending on the type of arthritis. In general, these are the symptoms you can expect:
- Pain in one or more joints (e.g., pain can come and go or never goes away)
- Warmth and redness in one or more joints
- Swelling in one or more joints
- Stiffness in one or more joints
- Trouble moving one or more joints in a normal way
Who can get arthritis?
Anyone can develop the illness, but some risk factors include:
- Tobacco use
- Family history
- Activity level
- Obesity
- People older than 50
- People assigned female at birth
- Athletes
- People with physically demanding jobs
Treatment:
There is no cure for arthritis, but you don’t have to live with pain. It’s best to be as active as possible. Treatments can include medications, lifestyle changes, and therapy.
Talk to your primary care provider about any arthritis symptoms you may be experiencing. Early diagnosis and treatment can minimize your symptoms.
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