National Arthritis Awareness Month

From arthritis in the hands and feet to the aching pain of an arthritic hip, I know a few people living with this crippling condition. With over 46 million Americans diagnosed to date, there is no doubt someone you know is battling this pain on a regular basis. Almost 100 different types of arthritis exist and with numerous different ways to treat the varied symptoms, a lot of sufferers still end up miserable and in pain. According to the Arthritis Foundation, over 300,000 children are currently living with this terrible affliction. May is a month of renewal and hope and every year arthritis awareness activities are part of that hope.

Arthritis, is from the Greek for joint inflammation, and is a blanket term for conditions that damage the joints in your body. With arthritis, the cartilage between your bones wears away over time and soon your bones rub together and unfortunately no one has found any substantial cures for this painful ailment.

There has been a lot of speculation or as they say “old wives’ tales,” that have fueled arthritis rumors for years about the cause of the condition.You may think that cold weather can cause joint aches and pains but the reality is that although cold weather may worsen or deepen arthritis pain, it doesn’t actually cause it. While some patients have been helped by moving to warm, dry climates, it is not the solution for everyone. Many people are under the assumption that bad diet choices can also cause this condition and that is also untrue. Although diet is not the culprit, doctors often suggest a healthier diet and other lifestyle changes like implementing a consistent exercise routine in order to lessen the flare-ups of arthritis.

Treatments vary depending on the type of arthritis; sometimes its medications and dietary supplements; and other more serious treatments are available like joint replacement surgery. Physically, exercise of the affected joint can be helpful in easing the pain and reducing inflammation.

Common forms of arthritis include: osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis (RA)—which is more common among women three times more than men and affects 1 percent of the entire population, and other conditions such as gout in which acid crystals form in the joints that cause inflammation.

During the month of May doctors, researchers, and members of the Arthritis Foundation try to keep awareness at an all time high by instructing patients and their loved ones to take the following precautions: make sure to learn all you can about the specific form of arthritis and experiment with different at-home treatments in order to make your life more comfortable. Stay active by exercising and set physical goals for yourself; you can even take part in an arthritis walk in your area and invite your friends to spread the awareness not just this month but all year round.

Arthritis is a debilitating condition that affects too many people to go unnoticed and untreated. The possibility that a cure can be found is reason enough to spread awareness in your community.