Arthritis Awareness Month aims to make people more aware of arthritis and the issues involved. Arthritis Awareness Month is a time to motivate Americans to get up and moving, while raising funds for arthritis research, support and advocacy.
What causes arthritis pain?
Arthritis pain is caused by:
- inflammation, the process that causes the redness and swelling in your joints
- damage to joint tissues caused by the disease process or from wear and tear
- muscle strain caused by overworked muscles attempting to protect your joints from painful movements
- fatigue caused by the disease process which can make your pain seem worse and harder to handle
In order to raise awareness in our community, we will go over five common myths about arthritis.
Myth # 1: Arthritis is an older person’s disease.
Truth: Arthritis and other rheumatic diseases do not discriminate based on age. Rheumatoid arthritis is the most common form of inflammatory arthritis, affecting more than 1.3 million Americans. RA most often begins between the ages of 40-60. However, RA can develop at any age.
Myth #2: Arthritis is an inevitable part of life, so you just have to deal with it.
Truth: Living your life with prolonged stiffness and pain isn’t something you should deal with on your own. There are health professionals who are trained to help you get a proper diagnosis and help you manage or treat your pain.
Myth #3: Joint health is not a serious issue.
Truth: The population of those with arthritis in the United States is increasing, with 67 million Americans predicted to have arthritis by 2030. In fact, it has become the number one cause of disability in the United States.
Myth #4: There is no treatment for arthritis.
Truth: There are medications and treatments; as well yoga moves to help ease pain, natural remedies, and new treatments are in the pipeline, according to the Arthritis Foundation. Doctors often recommend those with rheumatoid arthritis get early treatment with medication that can slow the progress of the autoimmune disease, while osteoarthritis treatments may include weight loss, over-the-counter anti-inflammatories, and other remedies.
Myth #5: My weight has no impact on my arthritis.
Truth: Studies have shown that even a small amount of weight loss can help ease arthritis pain – especially in the knees and hips. Treating rheumatic diseases requires a custom tailored and specific multidisciplinary treatment that may include diet, exercise, or medication.
For more information about treating your arthritis pain, join us for a free community lecture on arthritis and minimally invasive joint replacement. Dr. Adrian Baddar will discuss the causes of arthritis and achieving precision and accuracy in hip and knee replacement to return you to an active, healthy, and pain free lifestyle. Reserve your spot today.
