Resource Library

Arthritis is...

• The name for a broad set of diseases causing pain, stiffness and swelling in or around joints.
• A leading cause of disability, limiting the activity of over 7 million people in the United States, and second only to heart disease as a cause of work disability.
• A chronic disorder affecting about 40 million Americans, and nearly 50 percent of people 65 years old and older.
• A significant public health problem that is expected to affect about 60 million people in the United States by the year 2020.
• A disorder that can be prevented in certain cases by risk-reduction strategies.
• Once present, a disorder that can be addressed by identification of symptoms at the earliest stage possible, treatment, and taking measures to reduce pain, discomfort and the risk of disability.

What are the types of arthritis?

The two most common types of arthritis are rheumatoid arthritis and osteoarthritis. These are separate diseases that affect people in different ways.

Rheumatoid arthritis involves inflammation of the joints and results from the body's abnormal attack on the joints, not from their overuse. It can affect an individual's entire body and often causes overall symptoms in addition to joint pain. Rheumatoid arthritis is most commonly diagnosed in people age 25 to 50 but can affect people of all ages, including children.

Osteoarthritis is the most common type of arthritis, affecting more than 21 million Americans. It is also called "degenerative joint disease" and most often involves the weight-bearing joints. The disorder results from mechanical joint damage -- whether from long-term "wear and tear" or previous injury. Osteoarthritis usually is diagnosed in people older than 40. Nearly everyone over 70 has osteoarthritis in at least one joint, but not all develop symptoms.

There are many other types of rheumatic disorders. Not all of them are primarily diagnosed in adults. Juvenile arthritis is the name of a group of arthritis-related conditions that affect children.

How can you prevent arthritis?

You can reduce your risk of developing symptomatic osteoarthritis by maintaining a normal weight. Being overweight puts more stress on your weight-bearing joints and increases your risk for knee pain (and possibly hip pain).

If you're already overweight, losing just 10 pounds may significantly reduce your risk of developing osteoarthritis in your knees. If you've been wanting to take off weight for some time, don't feel that you have to take it all off all at once -- just set your sights on taking off the first 10 or 11 pounds, and you will have accomplished a significant reduction in your health risk.

How can you get help for arthritis?

See your doctor if you suspect you have arthritis and, particularly, if you have pain and stiffness in a joint. Tell your doctor if you have swelling in or around the joint.

Your doctor will find it easier to make an accurate diagnosis if you describe your symptoms clearly. Where do you feel joint pain? How long does your joint pain or stiffness last? When did you first start having this type of pain? Are you having problems carrying out certain activities? Have you ever injured the affected joint(s)? Does anyone else in your family have similar symptoms?

Your primary physician can evaluate and treat most cases of arthritis. In some cases, patients are referred to arthritis specialists. These specialists are called rheumatologists.

How can you cope with arthritis?

If you are already being treated for arthritis:

• Learn as much as you can about what type of arthritis you have and how the disease affects you, and enlist your family members or close friends in this effort so that they can become informed as well.
• Follow your doctor's treatment recommendations. Make sure you are being treated by a qualified doctor who communicates well with you. Consider looking for another doctor if you are not satisfied with the care provided by your current physician.
• Exercise (according to your doctor's recommendations) to help you feel better, to extend your movement, and to increase your strength.
• Protect your joints by using your stronger joints to carry out tasks, by avoiding stress on joints affected by arthritis, and by using assistive devices to make daily life easier. Ask your doctor for more information.
• Your doctor cannot make the pain go away completely but can help you with strategies to reduce joint pain. Ask for help with pain management if you feel your current treatment is not adequately addressing this.
• Don't believe everything you hear when it comes to "miracle treatments" or "cures" for arthritis. If an advertised remedy sounds too good to be true, it probably is. Check with your doctor before spending your money or potentially risking your health on it.
• Follow the latest news on arthritis research, as provided by reputable organizations such as the Arthritis Foundation or the National Institutes of Health (NIH). Get to know the reputable organizations (you can do this online) so that you can distinguish them from commercial groups with similar-sounding names.

Points to remember

• Arthritis is a common condition that is becoming even more frequent in the United States, as the average age of the population increases.
• Arthritis is a leading cause of disability and a significant public health concern.
• There is more than one type of arthritis. Rheumatoid arthritis (for example) affects people differently than osteoarthritis.
• Arthritis can affect children as well as adults.
• Maintaining a normal weight, or losing 10 to 11 pounds if you are overweight, helps reduce the risk of osteoarthritis and helps reduce joint stress if you already have arthritis.
• Other strategies for coping with arthritis include exercising appropriately, joint protection, rest and medication as recommended by your doctor, staying informed about your condition, and getting support from your family, friends, and arthritis organizations when you need it.

External Resources: Questions and Answers about Arthritis Pain. National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases. Boyce E. and Kanuba C. Strategies for Managing Osteoarthritis. American Druggist. February 1999, pp. 64-71. Hochberg M, Altman R, Brandt K, et al. Guidelines for the Medical Management of Osteoarthritis. Part I: Osteoarthritis of the Hip and Part II: Osteoarthritis of the Knee. Arthritis and Rheumatism. November 1995, Vol. 18, No. 11.

This article was published on 1999-07-02
This article was reviewed on 2003-02-03