Slightly more common in women and often becoming more noticeable later in life, arthritis is an inflammation-based condition that, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, affects about 23 percent of all adults. This amounts to more than 50 million individuals. In other words, arthritis is incredibly common, and something many people deal with on a fairly regular basis.
Joint pain and/or stiffness is what's often experienced by arthritis sufferers, symptoms likely to be associated with or affected by movement or pressure on the affected area. It's a condition that can affect practically any place in the body with joints, bones, and tissues, although the hips, hands and feet, knees, and shoulders are the more common areas impacted by arthritis. Unfortunately, this is a condition that cannot be reversed. Still, there are ways arthritis may be effectively managed enough to allow for the enjoyment of daily routines and activities.
Common Types of Arthritis
There are over a hundred different types of arthritis. However, certain forms of this condition are more common than others. These include:
- Osteoarthritis - More likely to be the form of arthritis that also affects spinal discs, osteoarthritis is the type of arthritis many adults with this condition are likely to have. Sometimes referred to as "wear-and-tear" arthritis, it's often caused by age and the overuse of joints over time. Cartilage at the end of bones or joints may also wear down faster than what's typical due to joint injuries or excess weight. The damage to cartilage may increase friction on joints enough to cause pain when moving. In some instances, the added bone friction could also cause bone bumps – or spurs – to develop.
- Rheumatoid Arthritis - Sometimes causing bumps to form over affected joints, RA is a type of arthritis that affects membranes around joints. This happens when the immune system abnormally reacts in a way that inflames joint lining.
- Psoriatic Arthritis - Elbows, knees, and the area around the belly button or other sensitive areas may be affected by this type of arthritis. It occurs in people with a skin condition called psoriasis, although joint pain may develop before skin patches appear.
- Gout - More likely to affect men, gout is also an inflammation-based form of arthritis caused by an accumulation of uric acid crystals. According to the Arthritis Foundation, the resulting joint pain is often noticed in the big toe first, but other areas of the foot could be affected, too.
Tips for Living With Arthritis
The main focus with arthritis is managing symptoms and taking steps to improve joint function as much as possible. Many patients benefit from a combination of treatment and management options to live with arthritis. Achieving this goal often involves:
- Pain and anti-inflammatory medications to manage discomfort
- Ointments, creams, and other topical applications
The Arthritis Foundation points out it may also be possible to manage and live with arthritis by losing weight or staying within a healthy weight range. Adjustments with lifestyle habits may also be helpful. For instance, some people with arthritis notice improvements when eating foods that naturally reduce inflammation. These include green, leafy veggies, nuts, tomatoes, salmon and other fatty fish, and brightly hued fruits.
Getting regular exercise and staying active can also be beneficial when living with arthritis. While overly-strenuous forms of exercise should be avoided, joints affected by the common forms of arthritis mentioned here may become more flexibility with activities that include:
- Casual walking
- Biking or stationary bike use
- Yoga and other controlled-movement disciplines
- Water yoga, water aerobics, swimming, and other water-based activities
There is no one-size-fits-all approach to dealing with and living with arthritis. This is why many people with this condition benefit from a well-rounded and personalized treatment and symptom management plan. Lastly, the Arthritis Foundation also encourages arthritis sufferers to make an effort to maintain a positive attitude. Mediation, relaxation therapy, and similar techniques may help with this goal.