Arthritis is a widespread disease throughout the world. According to the Arthritis Foundation, more than 47 million Americans suffer from one of the many forms of arthritis. Approximately 355 million people have the disease worldwide. Yet many people still know very little about arthritis, and misperceptions abound.
Arthritis Affects People of All Ages
One of the most deeply held myths about arthritis is the belief that it only strikes the elderly. Going hand in hand with that belief is the thought that “everyone” will develop arthritis as they age. In fact, there are more than 100 forms of arthritis, and these diseases affect people of every age – including babies and children. In fact, two thirds of people with arthritis are under age 65. The Arthritis Foundation estimates that about 300,000 children in American have some form of juvenile arthritis.
The most common form of arthritis is osteoarthritis, or “wear-and-tear” arthritis, which does tend to affect mainly older people. It’s true that many of us will develop osteoarthritis as we get older, since it occurs as cartilage in the joints slowly wears down. But even osteoarthritis can strike younger people – for example, athletes who injure their joints. And the effects of osteoarthritis can be prevented and minimized.
Some Forms of Arthritis Are Treatable
Since many people believe they must inevitably get arthritis as they age, they also believe there isn’t much they can do about it. But the truth is that some forms of arthritis are curable, and almost all forms can be treated to reduce pain and other symptoms and minimize joint damage.
Some examples of curable forms of arthritis include Lyme disease and infectious arthritis, both of which can be treated with antibiotics, and gout, which can be cured with a combination of dietary changes and medication to reduce uric acid levels in the bloodstream.
In addition, in just the last five years, a wide variety of new medications have become available to treat rheumatoid arthritis, psoriatic arthritis and juvenile rheumatoid arthritis. These biologic drugs not only reduce symptoms but can even slow or stop the progression of the disease. This is critical because, according to the Arthritis Foundation, the majority of joint damage happens within the first two years after the onset of the disease.
Besides medication, researchers, doctors and physical therapists are constantly finding new and improved techniques for tackling the symptoms of arthritis. These can range from pain to swelling and stiffness, low fevers, skin rashes, fatigue and depression. But arthritis patients who exercise, watch their diet and participate in self-help courses can improve their ability to cope with these effects.
Arthritis Is a Serious Disease
Many people don’t go to a doctor or do much for their arthritis pain, especially when it seems minor, because they don’t believe that it’s a serious or life-threatening condition. Unfortunately, some kinds of arthritis can be very serious indeed – especially if they go untreated. In fact, arthritis is the nation’s No. 1 cause of disability, affecting one in six Americans. This number could reach one in five within another 10 years.
Some forms of arthritis, such as rheumatoid and juvenile rheumatoid arthritis, can reduce the patient’s life expectancy by as much as eight to 15 years. These are serious autoimmune conditions that affect not just the joints but the skin, eyes, ears, glands and internal organs. What’s more, some of the strong medications used to treat them have rare but dangerous side effects.
Arthritis can greatly reduce the patient’s ability to take care of himself or herself independently. The majority of people with rheumatoid arthritis are unable to work within eight to 10 years of being diagnosed with the disease. Severe arthritis limits their ability to walk, exercise, drive, clean house or do laundry, cook or take care of pets and children.
It can also deal a blow to the family finances, due to the cost of doctor visits, lab tests, medications, hospitalizations and medical equipment such as walkers, wheelchairs and reachers. In fact, arthritis is estimated to cost our country about $128 billion a year – the equivalent of a moderate recession – in medical costs and lost productivity at work.
Education Is Key
It may seem contradictory to say that arthritis is highly treatable, even curable in some cases – then to add that it must be taken seriously. But both facts are true. The word “arthritis” represents a set of more than 100 related diseases, many of which are extremely debilitating, even life-threatening. But people with joint symptoms who see a doctor and get a diagnosis early can also begin treatment quickly – thus minimizing the long-term effects.
Robin Mayhall - I'm a versatile writer and editor with more than 20 years of experience, and I personally battle rheumatoid arthritis.
