Arthritis Facts
Arthritis Facts
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| Interesting Arthritis Facts: |
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| When an individual has osteoarthritis, the cartilage in the joints begins to break down. Cartilage is the slippery, hard tissue covering the ends of bones at the joints. |
| When an individual has rheumatoid arthritis, which is an autoimmune disorder, the lining of the joints is targeted and destroyed. |
| A study done in Brazil in 2010 found that the venom from bee stings is actually able to reduce the symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis. |
| Arthritis is common in the hands, hips, and the knees, but it can also affect many other parts of the body including ankles and feet. |
| Animals such as dogs and cats can also experience arthritis, which also worsens as they age, just as in humans. |
| There are many forms of arthritis beyond the two most common, including gout, septic arthritis, ankylosing spondylitis, Still's disease, and juvenile idiopathic arthritis. |
| It is possible to have secondary arthritis, which is a symptom of another disease such as hepatitis, Lyme disease, celiac disease, psoriasis, sarcoidosis, Whipple's disease, inflammatory bowel disease, and several others. |
| Osteoarthritis is considered to be the fastest increasing major health condition among musculoskeletal disorders. |
| Pain is the most common symptom of virtually all forms of arthritis, but there are several other symptoms as well including fatigue, weight loss, muscular pain and aching, difficulty moving the affected joints, poor sleep, stiffness, and some people lose the ability to walk or use their hands. |
| The most common disability in the United States is arthritis. The cost to treat arthritis is roughly $50 billion a year in the U.S. and another $50 billion is estimated to be lost in earnings because of absenteeism. |
| In some cases of severe arthritis, lupus is also common. Lupus is a collagen vascular disorder and can also include a skin rash, hair loss, kidney problems and constant pain in the joints. |
| Gout is a form of arthritis that occurs when uric acid crystals are deposited in the joints, which causes inflammation and severe pain. |
| Arthritis can be caused by bacteria in the body. This form is referred to as infectious arthritis and presents with joint pain, fever, and chills. If treated quickly permanent joint damage can be avoided. |
| Treatment of the various forms of arthritis can include medication, surgery, dietary and lifestyle changes, and various forms of alternative medicine. To date there is no known cure. |
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