Arthritis

Today it's so widespread that one in six people and one in three families are affected by it. More than 43 million Americans of all ages are currently victims of arthritis and related conditions. Over the next 20 years, as the baby boom generation ages, the total is expected to rise to 60 million.

Frequently we ignore arthritis, calling it simply the "aches and pains" of old age. Or we self-medicate with painkillers, not bothering to seek professional treatment. But make no mistake: Arthritis is a serious, potentially crippling, and even fatal disease. The early warning signs should never be ignored.

Some Arthritis Facts

• Women are almost twice as likely as men to suffer from arthritis. The disease becomes more prevalent after age 45. Yet it is not a disease exclusively of the elderly, for more than 300,000 children are also affected.
• Arthritis is a costly disease: It's the leading cause of absenteeism; more than 45 million work days are lost each year.
• The estimated yearly cost in lost wages and medical bills is $65 billion -- second only to the bill for heart disease.
• Arthritis patients average eight visits to their doctor each year -- twice as many as those suffering from other chronic illnesses like high blood pressure.
• Approximately six million people are "self-diagnosed" and improperly "self-treated."

What Is Arthritis?

"Arthritis" literally means "inflamed joints. "It is an umbrella term for more than 100 different forms of joint disease. However, while arthritis primarily affects the joints, it also attacks muscles and connective tissues surrounding organs. Arthritic disease stems from injuries, defects in the immune system, wear and tear on the joints, infections, or genetic predisposition. Whatever the cause, the effect is much the same in all individuals: Where bones meet in the joints, they are actually disintegrating.  more

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