| > | | | | of movement and sometimes swelling. Some types |
| Arthritis is an inflammatory condition of the joints | | | | of arthritis are: Osteoarthritis: a degenerative joint |
| that can at times disable the patient. The | | | | disease in which the cartilage that covers the ends of |
| consequences of arthritis include joint disfigurement | | | | bones in the joint deteriorates, causing pain and loss |
| and constrained joint mobility. Arthritis is an | | | | of movement as bone begins to rub against bone. It |
| inflammatory condition of the joints that can at times | | | | is the most prevalent form of arthritis. |
| disable the patient. The consequences of arthritis | | | | Rheumatoid arthritis: an autoimmune disease in which |
| include joint disfigurement and constrained joint | | | | the joint lining becomes inflamed as part of the |
| mobility.Statistics of Americans with arthritis or | | | | body’s immune system activity. Rheumatoid |
| chronic joint symptoms: 1985 - 35 million 1990 | | | | arthritis is one of the most serious and disabling |
| - 37.9 million 1998 - nearly 43 million (1 in 6 | | | | types, affecting mostly women. Gout is a form |
| people) 2006 — 46 million (nearly 1 in 5 | | | | which mostly affects men. It is usually the result of a |
| adults) Arthritis is said to be one of the most | | | | defect in body chemistry. This painful condition most |
| ubiquitous chronic health problems and is leading cause | | | | often attacks small joints, especially the big toe. |
| of disability among Americans over age 15. | | | | Fortunately, gout almost always can be completely |
| Arthritis is second only to heart disease as grounds | | | | controlled with medication and changes in diet. |
| of work disability. Arthritis limits daily activities | | | | Ankylosing spondylitis is a type that affects the spine. |
| such as walking, dressing and bathing for more than | | | | As a result of inflammation, the bones of the spine |
| 7 million Americans. Arthritis results in 39 million | | | | grow together. Juvenile arthritis is a common |
| doctor visits and more than a half million | | | | term for all types of arthritis that come about in |
| hospitalizations. Arthritis influences people in all age | | | | children. Children may develop juvenile rheumatoid |
| groups together with nearly 300,000 children. | | | | arthritis or childhood forms of lupus, Ankylosing |
| Baby boomers are now at chief jeopardy. More than | | | | spondylitis or other types of arthritis. Systemic |
| half those affected are under age 65. Arthritis is a | | | | lupus erythematosus (lupus): a severe disorder that |
| term used to refer to more than hundred different | | | | can agitate and damage joints and other connective |
| diseases that concern areas in or around | | | | tissues all over the body. Scleroderma: a disease |
| joints.General Information: Women - 24.3 million of | | | | of the connective tissues of the body that causes a |
| the people with arthritis diagnosed by a doctor | | | | thickening and hardening of the skin. Fibromyalgia: |
| Men - 17.1 million of the people with arthritis | | | | a form in which extensive pain affects the muscles |
| diagnosed by a doctorThe disease also has an affect | | | | and attachments to the bone. It affects mostly |
| on other parts of the body. Arthritis causes pain, loss | | | | women. |