World Arthritis Day
Since 1970, the Arthritis National Research Foundation has funded arthritis research to understand the causes, prevention and development of new treatments for osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, lupus, juvenile arthritis and other autoimmune diseases.
Today, October 12th, we celebrate World Arthritis Day to bring awareness to a multifaceted disease, with both physical and emotional impacts.
Arthritis is the inflammation of the joints, but the term is often used to describe around 200 conditions that affect joints, the tissues that surround the joint, and other connective tissue The main symptoms of arthritis are joint pain and stiffness, which typically worsen with age. Two of the most common types of arthritis are osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), 54.4 million adults in the US are diagnosed with some form of arthritis. Of these, 23.7 million people have their activity curtailed in some way by their condition.
While arthritis is more common among adults aged 65 years or older, it can affect people of all ages, including children.
Treatment for arthritis focuses on relieving pain and symptoms while trying to improve or maintain function and quality of life.
A range of medications and lifestyle strategies can help achieve this and protect joints from further damage. Often times physical therapy can be helpful for some types of arthritis. Exercises can improve range of motion and strengthen the muscles surrounding joints.
To learn more about World Arthritis Day, visit https://curearthritis.org/wad/
