Let’s assume for a moment that you already know a little about arthritis in general. For instance, you may be aware that “osteoarthritis” (also known as OA or Degenerative Joint Disease) is the most common form of arthritis worldwide.

But do you know that the odds are (80%) that you will have arthritis by the time you are 65 years of age? It typically starts earlier, around the age of 40. And, this isn’t about being unable to open a jar of pickles. Arthritis can make you unable to participate in certain sports and other activities that we take for granted, like ‘typing’. (Consider the impact nowadays, when virtually everyone lives and breathes by their connections to Twitter, Facebook, iPhones, Blackberry’s, etc.)

The Arthritis Foundation estimates that 27 million Americans now suffer from osteoarthritis. (The next most common form is rheumatoid arthritis with 1.3 million sufferers in the U.S. today.) And, arthritis treatment plus related indirect expenses, such as lost wages and productivity, costs the U.S. economy nearly $128 BILLION each year!

According to ArthritisMD.com,

Half of those Americans afflicted with arthritis today do not think anything can be done to help them.

Now consider this: People in all walks of life, from business people to athletes (including professional athletes and Olympian champions) suffer from arthritis. In fact, Kristin Armstrong won a gold medal in cycling at the 2008 Summer Olympics in Beijing after suffering for the last 8 years with osteoarthritis. But she didn’t let this stop her from living a normal life and pursuing her dreams. Nor should it stop anyone who is living with arthritis.

The message is this:

Don’t use arthritis as an excuse to stay inactive. In fact, it is possible to excel with arthritis when managed properly. Just ask Kristin Armstrong!

Arthritis Treatment:

While, you may be familiar with osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis, are you aware that there are over 100 other forms of arthritis? Each type of this debilitating disease has its own unique set of symptoms. But there is one common denominator present in all forms of arthritis and that is PAIN!

Weight control and diet helps! According to The Arthritis Foundation, weight loss can slow the progression of osteoarthritis affecting the weight-bearing joints and lower back. Therefore, most arthritis treatment programs should prescribe a proper diet and exercise regimen.

The most commonly prescribed medications for arthritis pain relief are non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAID’s) such as aspirin and ibuprofen. In fact, arthritis treatment accounts for approximately 50% of NSAID prescriptions in the United States.

Other common treatments for arthritis are dietary supplements such as glucosamine and chondroitin sulfate. There are also some new supplements for arthritis treatment recently on the market that appear to show promise for sufferers. But here’s the bottom line: there is no “magic pill” for all persons. Some treatments may help for certain individuals, but not others; it really seems to depend upon individual body make-up for what works best.

Important Arthritis Facts:

The most important fact is that arthritis is treatable. To find the regimen that is best for you may take some experimentation. And, you should always consult your physician regarding treatment for arthritis pain.

While many people believe that osteoarthritis is due mainly to “wear and tear” on the joints, age is actually a much stronger determinant than all other factors.

Overall, more women are affected by arthritis than men, particularly after the age of 50

The actual cause of arthritis in still unclear, depending on the reference source that you consult. There are, however, a number of well-documented “risk factors” associated with the various types of the disease including:

1. Heredity/genetics
2. Age
3. Body weight/metabolism
4. Trauma/injuries
5. Overuse of joints
6. Nerve damage
7. Illness

In general, arthritis is irreversible or incurable. Although arthritis is unlikely to be fatal, it is documented that those who suffer from rheumatoid arthritis tend to die earlier, often due to infection brought on by a weakened immune system caused by the disease.

Both osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis primarily affect the joints. However, rheumatoid arthritis can also attack the internal organs and body tissues. It is common for rheumatoid sufferers to also be anemic.

Rheumatoid arthritis is the type of arthritis most commonly associated with deformities of the joints, particularly the hands. However, it is also very common for osteoarthritis sufferers to experience swollen joints and hard bony enlargements in their smaller joints, such as the fingers.