Arthritis – MOVE Towards A Healthier YOU!
By Lori J. Davis | Central Connecticut State University at April 8, 2024 | 7:00 am | Print
According to the Arthritis Foundation, the term “arthritis” encompasses more than 100 diseases and conditions that affect joints, the surrounding tissues and other connective tissues. Arthritis can cause mild to severe pain in the joints, as well as joint tenderness and swelling. Furthermore, there is approximately 46 million Americans that have some type of arthritis or related condition.
Rheumatoid Arthritis is an inflammatory type of arthritis and considered an autoimmune disease. The immune system attacks the body’s own tissues, specifically the synovium, a thin membrane that lines the joints. Symptoms include swelling, limited motion in the joints, warmth, nodules or lumps under the skin, fatigue, low-grade fever, pain and an overall feeling of stiffness. According to the Arthritis Foundation, 1.3 million people in the United States have Rheumatoid Arthritis. There are three times more women than men living with this chronic disease. Rheumatoid arthritis often begins in woman between the ages of 30 and 60, and men usually develop symptoms later in life. Older teens and people in their 20’s can also get Rheumatoid Arthritis. Juvenile Rheumatoid arthritis affects 300,000 children.
I know this very well, as I was diagnosed having Juvenile Rheumatoid Arthritis at the age of five. I remember saying, “mommy what does it feel like not to have pain?” As a young child this is what I knew and I thought everyone felt this pain like I did. I believed that this is what we were supposed to feel every day because all I knew was this feeling of pain. I also remember asking my other sisters, “Do you have pain?” This was just the start of the beginning of my understanding and to gather more information as possible throughout the years. You too can manage and cope by beginning to educate yourself with the type of arthritis that you have.
Osteoarthritis is more common than Rheumatoid Arthritis affecting 27 million Americans. Osteoarthritis usually appears after age 45, and like Rheumatoid Arthritis, occurs more often in women. Osteoarthritis results from a decrease in cartilage as bones begin to rub against one another. Causes of Osteoarthritis include obesity, injury or overuse, genetics or heredity, muscle weakness and advanced age. However, not everyone who ages develops Osteoarthritis. Symptoms include aches, pain, stiffness in the morning, and also during or after use. The joints commonly become stiff after periods of inactivity. The Arthritis Foundation believes “Moving is the Best Medicine” for Osteoarthritis. Staying physically active even though you may be experiencing discomfort is important to keep the joints moving as this helps in lubricating them. This also helps to keep the muscles strong around the joints for support.
Understanding arthritis is very important, and The Arthritis Foundation addresses three common myths about arthritis.
Myth #1: Arthritis is just aches and pains. One common myth is that people think that when they grow older, arthritis is just another name for aches and pains. What is true is that arthritis can commonly develop when a person ages but it can also begin at any age, even childhood. Some elderly people never develop arthritis.
Myth #2: Arthritis isn’t really a serious problem. Types of arthritis and rheumatic diseases are the most common chronic health condition in the population.
Myth #3: Not much can be done to alleviate the pain and disability of arthritis. There are no cures for most rheumatic diseases and you may think little can be done but this is not true. Because of the many developments, including new drugs and treatments, exercise programs, surgeries and self-management, people are leading full and productive lives.
Locating a specialized health care team is one way to move forward in helping you to feel better and to live with arthritis. An important step is putting together a medical treatment plan that will work for you. Making necessary lifestyle changes that include daily exercise, eating a well balance nutritional diet, and getting plenty of rest will benefit you. Keep moving physically, mentally and emotionally and your arthritis can be managed to live with to feel better and for a healthier you. There is not a cure for arthritis but it can be managed by moving forward in obtaining knowledge, moving with more physical exercise activity, moving towards eating healthier, moving ahead in finding a treatment plan, and moving in a direction of obtaining helpful resources for a healthier lifestyle in living with arthritis.
