Some Facts about Arthritis

Arthritis is one of the most common diseases in the world and it disables people from 15 years of age and above.



It affects people of all age groups and even infants. Arthritis is second only to heart disease in terms of work related diseases. It is one of the main musculoskeletal disorders which refrains people from performing everyday activities like walking, sleeping, sitting, climbing stairs, cooking, sewing or even attending to personal hygiene. The most common arthritis symptoms are severe pain and swelling in the joints, redness and soreness.



Many people have just accepted arthritis as part of their lives and do not take any steps towards curing it. Arthritis affects several other organs in the body and gives birth to multiple complications in the system. Genetic disorders and hereditary traits are one of the main causes of arthritis.

Women are more prone to arthritis than men. They generally start showing signs of developing it after child birth and it increases after menopause.



Rheumatoid arthritis is most common among women and juvenile arthritis is the term used to refer to all kinds of arthritis occurring in children. If one is not familiar with arthritis there can be contradictions regarding its cause and cure and this may lead to delay in the treatment. A warm climate is soothing to the arthritis patients. It cannot cure or reverse its effects.



People living in all types of climate can be affected by arthritis. The symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis are more varied than just the swelling, pain and soreness. Joint replacement surgeries can reduce pain and cure arthritis to a large extent. Work that requires constant stooping and kneeling can also cause arthritis.



In osteoarthritis, the pain symptoms can clearly be noticed as they are unbearable and need immediate treatment.
NSAIDS like aspirin and ibuprofen reduce pain and inflammation and lower fevers. There are other antirheumatic drugs available which can relieve pain and reduce inflammation. Wearing joint braces on the advice of the physician can reduce arthritis pain. Massaging and exercising helps reduce pain and inflammation by regulating blood flow.



The most difficult aspect of the cure of arthritis is that one has to go through several forms of treatment before finding the suitable plan. There are emotional and financial implications for patients suffering from arthritis.