What is arthritis?
The word arthritis actually means joint inflammation,
but the term has acquired a wider meaning. In public health,
arthritis is used as a shorthand term for arthritis and other
rheumatic conditions—a label for the more than 100 rheumatic
diseases and conditions that affect joints, the tissues which
surround joints and other connective tissue. The pattern, severity,
and location of symptoms can vary depending on the specific form of
the disease. Typically, rheumatic conditions are characterized by
pain and stiffness in and around one or more joints. The symptoms
can develop gradually or suddenly. Certain rheumatic conditions can
also involve the immune system and various internal organs of the
body.
A brief overview of the most common forms of arthritis are
discussed in the Arthritis
Types section. For a more detailed discussion of each of these
conditions follow the links provided for you. The Resources section of our Web
site can guide you to further information on many topics related to
rheumatic diseases.
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Who is at risk for
arthritis?
Certain factors are associated with a greater risk of arthritis.
Some of these risk factors are modifiable while others are not.
Non-modifiable risk factors
- Age: The risk of developing most types of
arthritis increases with age.
- Gender: Most types ofarthritis are more common
in women; 60% of the people with arthritis are women. Gout is more
common in men.
- Genetic: Specific genes are associated with a
higher risk of certain types of arthritis, such as rheumatoid
arthritis (RA) and systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), and
ankylosing spondylitis.
Modifiable risk factors
- Overweight and Obesity: Excess weight can
contribute to both the onset and progression of knee
osteoarthritis.
- Joint Injuries: Damage to a joint can
contribute to the development of osteoarthritis in that joint.
- Infection: Many microbial agents can infect
joints and potentially cause the development of various forms of
arthritis.
- Occupation: Certain occupations involving
repetitive knee bending and squatting are associated with
osteoarthritis of the knee.
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What causes
arthritis?
Elevated uric acid levels cause gout, and specific infections
can cause certain forms of arthritis. The causes of many of the
other forms of arthritis are unknown. Scientists are studying the
role of factors such as genetics, lifestyle, and environment in the
various types of arthritis.
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What are the most common types of
arthritis?
The most common form of arthritis in the Unites States is
osteoarthritis followed by gout, fibromyalgia, and rheumatoid
arthritis.
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What are the symptoms of
arthritis?
The pattern and location of symptoms can vary depending on the
type of arthritis. Generally, people with arthritis feel pain and
stiffness in and around one or more joints. The onset of arthritis
symptoms can develop gradually or suddenly. Arthritis is most often
a chronic disease, so symptoms may come and go, or persist over
time.
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What should I do if I think I
have arthritis?
If you have pain, stiffness, or swelling in or around one or
more of your joints, talk to your doctor. It is important to keep
in mind that there are many forms of arthritis, and a specific
diagnosis of the type you have may help to direct the proper
treatment. Although there is no cure for most types of arthritis,
early diagnosis and appropriate management are important,
especially for inflammatory types of arthritis. For example, early
use of disease-modifying drugs can affect the course of rheumatoid
arthritis. An early diagnosis and appropriate treatment can make a
difference in pain and joint damage. The earlier you understand
your arthritis, the earlier you can start managing your disease and
making healthy lifestyle changes to help your arthritis.
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Can I prevent
arthritis?
Depending on the form of arthritis, there are steps that can be
taken to reduce your risk of arthritis. Maintaining an appropriate
body weight has been shown to decrease the risk of developing
osteoarthritis and gout. Protecting your joints from injuries or
overuse can reduce the risk of osteoarthritis.
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How is arthritis
diagnosed?
Diagnosing arthritis often requires a detailed medical history
of current and past symptoms, physical examination, x-rays, and
blood work. It is possible to have more than one form of arthritis
at the same time.
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What are the treatments for
arthritis?
The focus of treatment for arthritis is to control pain,
minimize joint damage, and improve or maintain function and quality
of life. According to the American College of Rheumatology, the
treatment of arthritis might involve the following:
- Medication
- Nonpharmacologic therapies
- Physical or occupational therapy
- Splints or joint assistive aids
- Patient education and support
- Weight loss
- Surgery
In conjunction with medical treatment, self-management of
arthritis symptoms is very important as well. The Arthritis
Self-Management Program and the Chronic Disease
Self-Management Program, both developed by Dr. Kate Lorig of
Stanford University, are effective self-management
education programs. The program helps people develop the skills
needed to manage their arthritis on a day to day basis and gain the
confidence to carry it out.
The Arthritis
Foundation Exercise Program and Enhance
Fitness® are examples of programs designed to help
people with arthritis increase their physical
activity. For management of specific types of arthritis, refer
to Arthritis Types .
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How can I manage arthritis
pain?
Both medical treatment and self-management strategies are very
important. The Arthritis
Foundation Self Help Program and the Chronic Disease
Self-Management Program, both developed by Dr. Kate Lorig of
Stanford University, are effective self-management education
programs. These programs help people learn the techniques needed to
manage their arthritis on a day to day basis and gain the
confidence to carry it out.
Physical activity can also help reduce pain. Programs like Arthritis
Foundation Exercise Program and Enhance
Fitness® can help can help you safely increase yours
physical activity.
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What does the CDC recommend for
people with arthritis?
The CDC recommends the following:
Early diagnosis and appropriate management of arthritis,
including self-management activities, can help people with
arthritis decrease pain, improve function, stay productive, and
lower health care costs. Key self-management activities include the
following:
Learn Arthritis Management Strategies—Learning
techniques to reduce pain and limitations can be beneficial to
people with arthritis.Self-management education, such as the Arthritis
Self-Management Program (ASMP), or the Chronic Disease
Self Management Program (CDSMP) help you learn the strategies
and develop the confidence to manage your arthritis on a day to day
basis. For example, participants in these programs learned to
manage symptoms like pain and fatigue, and decreased their
frustration and worry about their health.
Be Active—Research has shown that physical
activity decreases pain, improves function, and delays disability.
Make sure you get at least 30 minutes of moderate physical activity
5 days a week. You can get activity in 10-minute intervals.
Detailed information about physical
activity for people with arthritis and recommended
programs are available.
Watch Your Weight—The prevalence of arthritis
increases with increasing weight. Research suggests that
maintaining a healthy weight reduces the risk of developing
arthritis and may decrease disease progression. A loss of just 11
pounds can decrease the occurrence (incidence) of new knee
osteoarthritis.
See Your Doctor—Although there is no cure for
most types of arthritis, early diagnosis and appropriate management
are important, especially for inflammatory types of arthritis. For
example, early use of disease-modifying drugs can affect the course
of rheumatoid arthritis. If you have symptoms of arthritis, see
your doctor and begin appropriate management of your condition.
Protect Your Joints—Joint injury can lead to
osteoarthritis. People who experience sports or occupational
injuries or have jobs with repetitive motions like repeated knee
bending have more osteoarthritis. Avoid joint injury to reduce your
risk of developing osteoarthritis.
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How many people in the United
States have arthritis?
Currently, an estimated 50 million Americans reported that their
doctor told them they had arthritis. As our nation’s population
ages, the prevalence is expected to increase.
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How many children have
arthritis?
CDC estimates that 294,000 U.S. children under age 18 (or 1 in
250 children) have been diagnosed with arthritis or another
rheumatologic condition. (Type data table and state table.) Prior
estimates ranged from 80,000 to 290,000, depending on the
definition of arthritis, age range and methods used to find cases.
However, many of these prior estimates were based on extrapolations
from small studies done in small geographic areas which could have
led to chance variation in estimates. More
information.
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How can I find out more about
the CDC Arthritis Program?
Read about the program in the About Us section.
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Does my state have an arthritis
program?
There are 12 states that have arthritis programs funded by the
CDC. Nine additional states have received funds to help make
arthritis appropriate interventions available. Read more about state arthritis
programs.
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Is exercise recommended for
people who have arthritis?
Recent studies have shown that moderate physical activity 5 or
more days a week can help to relieve arthritis pain and stiffness
and give you more energy. Regular physical activity can also lift
your mood and make you feel more positive.
An activity that produces a slight increase in heart rate or
breathing is considered moderate physical activity. Low-impact
activities performed at a moderate pace work best for people with
arthritis. These include walking, swimming, and riding a bicycle.
Everyday activities such as dancing, gardening, and washing the car
can be good if done at a moderate pace that produces slight
breathing and heart rate changes. Detailed information about physical activity for people with
arthritis and recommended
programs are available.
If you are having an acute flare-up of your inflammatory
arthritis, it may be better to restrict your exercise to simple
range of motion (carefully moving the joint as far as it can go)
during the flare-up.
More information is available.
Physical Activity and
Arthritis – Detailed Overview
Physical Activity and
Arthritis – Two Page Fact Sheet
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What should I do if I have
pain when I exercise?
Some soreness or aching in joints and surrounding muscles during
and after exercise is normal for people with arthritis. This is
especially true in the first 4 to 6 weeks of starting an exercise
program. However, most people with arthritis find if they stick
with exercise they will have significant long-term pain relief.
Here are some tips to help you manage pain during and after
exercise:
- Modify your exercise program by reducing the frequency (days
per week) or duration (amount of time each session) until pain
improves.
- Changing the type of exercise to reduce impact on the joints –
for example switch from walking to water aerobics.
- Do proper warm-up and cool-down before and after exercise.
- Exercise at a comfortable pace – you should be able to carry on
a conversation while exercising.
- Make sure you have good fitting, comfortable shoes.
Signs you should see your health care provider:
- Pain is sharp, stabbing, and constant.
- Pain that causes you to limp.
- Pain that lasts more than 2 hours after exercise or gets worse
at night.
- Pain is not relieved by rest, medication, or hot/cold
packs.
- Large increases in swelling or your joints feel “hot” or are
red.
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- How does body weight influence
arthritis?
Weight control is essential; research suggests that maintaining
a healthy weight reduces the risk of developing osteoarthritis and
may decrease disease progression. A loss of just 11 pounds can
decrease the occurrence (incidence) of new knee osteoarthritis, and
losing just 5% of body weight (12 pounds in a 250 pound person) can
reduce pain and disability. Calculate your
Body Mass Index (BMI ).)? Read more about healthy weight.
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Are people with arthritis more
susceptible to complications from the flu?
People with certain forms of arthritis (e.g., rheumatoid
arthritis and lupus) may have weakened immune systems, due either
to the disease and/or the medications (e.g., prednisone) they take
to treat the condition. This may make them more susceptible to
flu-related complications after being infected. More detailed
information and guidance regarding both seasonal and H1N1 flu is available.
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