According to the Centers for Disease Control, arthritis has affected 46.4 million Americans as of 2005, which is 21.6% of the total adult population. What is arthritis? It is a disorder characterized by an inflammation of the joint, which is the part where two bones in the body meet. The joint allows movement of the two connected bones.
This condition is considered as a rheumatic disease. There are over 100 different types of arthritis. The causes of this disease include injury, heredity, abnormalities in metabolism, infections, and other still unexplained reasons.
Symptoms of Arthritis
This disease is usually marked at the onset by joint pain that causes restricted movement of the affected part. The joint often becomes stiff and tender, and it may also swell, become red, and feel warm. Because arthritis is a rheumatic disease, its symptoms can affect different organs that are not related to the joint. In this case, symptoms can include fever, presence of lymph node, loss of weight, fatigue, and abnormalities in the kidneys, heart, lungs, and other organs.
Arthritis Statistics
This disease affects people across various age levels. It is experienced by males and females, whether children, young adults, or adults. All over the world, 350 million people suffer from the disease.
In the United States, over 50% of Americans having the disease are younger than 65 years old. More than 25 million of these are children. Of the total number of cases among Americans, 60% are women.
Osteoarthritis, a degenerative joint disease, affects 27 million Americans. Rheumatoid arthritis, a disorder of the immune system that affects the joints, affects 1.3 million Americans.
Diagnosis
In diagnosing this condition, the doctor will gather information about the symptoms. The doctor will also observe the joints to see if any inflammation or deformity has occurred. Tests, such as blood tests, urine tests, and X-rays of the affected area, will be conducted.
The final diagnosis is taken from the observed symptom patterns and the inflammation of the joints, the X-ray results, and the results of the blood and urine tests. Sometimes the diagnosis is not confirmed with just one visit to your doctor; follow-up consultations may be needed.
If you are diagnosed with arthritis, you should not be alarmed, because not all cases are serious. The earlier the disease is diagnosed, the more chances you have to prevent permanent damage to your health. This will also give your condition a better chance of not resulting in a disability.
Prevention
You can prevent the occurrence of this disease by following some measures. First, you should achieve a healthy weight. Being overweight puts a lot of strain on the joints, particularly the knees, and may lead to the disease.
Regular exercise will also reduce your risk for arthritis. Exercise strengthens your muscles and helps prevent stiffness of the joints. However, you should avoid exercises that are too difficult or will cause a strain on your muscles and joints.
Finally, eat a balanced diet. This not only protects you from arthritis but protects your overall health as well. Eating healthy meals along with regular intake of vitamins and minerals that your body needs will keep your health and keep you in good shape.
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