My father was 66 years old when he was diagnosed with arthritis. A medication by the doctor that he could take without significant side effects. As his condition worsened, he gave up the things he used to do, like walking in the park and feeding pigeons. His arthritis was so bad that he could no longer care for himself. He passed away at the age of 70.
In a small rural town, the only sound heard was the sound of the wind through the trees. People worked long hours to survive. One family had a bigger problem: an older woman with arthritis, my great-grandmother Mary. She initially struggled with her illness for years, but it only worsened. She suffered from constant pain, and her medications did not help. One night, she passed away peacefully, without a cry of pain.
Did you know that arthritis is one of the most disabling conditions? Over 60 million Americans have arthritis, which is expected to rise to 80 million by 2026.
Living with arthritis can be challenging, especially for those unfamiliar with joint pain and stiffness. Living with arthritis means much more than just having joint pain. It involves changes in lifestyle and daily activities.
In simple terms, arthritis is an inflammation of the joints. There are more than 100 types of arthritis, and the number keeps getting bigger. The most common types of arthritis are osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, and gout.
Osteoarthritis is a joint disease that causes the joints to wear out. An overactive immune system causes rheumatoid arthritis. Gout is the oldest form of arthritis resulting from too much uric acid, which deposits crystals in the joints. The effects of arthritis are not limited to the joints, but to surrounding muscles, tissues, and organs, such as the heart, kidneys, lungs, and liver.
Many people believe that arthritis is a disease that affects only the elderly. Osteoarthritis indeed affects older people, especially women, but the average age for the onset of arthritis is 47. Even babies have been diagnosed with arthritis.
Arthritis is a disease that is second only to heart disease in terms of chronic physical disabilities.
