Arthritis

Understanding Arthritis

This page is a portal to readings, research, and resources for arthritis. The term "arthritis" is an umbrella term that covers over 100 different diseases. All of these diseases involve some type of joint inflammation. The causes of arthritis vary and symptoms differ between individuals. Symptoms felt at the joint by individuals afflicted with arthritis include one or more of the following:

• stiffness
  
• swelling
  
• pain
  
• warmth
  
  
  Arthritis is common.

  In the United States, over 70 million people have some form of arthritis. By the year 2030, 25 million people in the United States are projected to suffer activity limitations attributable to arthritis 25.   The most common forms of arthritis are osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, and gout. Osteoarthritis is the most common form of arthritis in the United States; more than 20 million people have been diagnosed with osteoarthritis.

The exact cause of arthritis is often unknown, but can usually be linked to several risk factors. These risk factors include:

-work environments which involve repetitive motions
-increased age
-sex
-obesity

Athletes who experience sports-related injuries may experience more cases of osteoarthritis than non-athletes.  More information about reducing risk factors for arthritis can be found in Cause & Prevention of Osteoarthritis, and Cause & Prevention of Rheumatoid Arthritis.

Arthritis can be treated.

Several treatments for arthritis exist, including medications, surgery and exercise. Successful treatment will reduce the pain of arthritis, build strength around the effected joint, and increase joint mobility. More information about different treatment options for arthritis can be found at Treatment of Osteoarthritis and Treatment of Rheumatoid Arthritis sections of this site.