Arthritis Awareness Month Archives - Health BeatHealth Beat

May is Arthritis Awareness Month. The observance serves as an opportunity to educate the public about the complex family of debilitating diseases.

An estimated 58.5 million adults in the U.S. are affected by some form of arthritis, which is equal to about 23.7% of the population. As the number of older Americans continues to grow, and the rate of obesity and overweight increases, the number of people with arthritis-attributable activity limitations will only increase.

Osteoarthritis (OA) is the most common type of arthritis, especially amongst older people. OA mostly affects cartilage by breaking down its surface. As cartilage wears away, it allows bones to rub together, causing pain, swelling, and loss of motion. Over time, these changes can affect the bones, tendons, and other joint tissues.

Unfortunately, there is no cure for arthritis. However, joint pain and other OA symptoms can be managed through treatment, lifestyle changes, and education.

In 1972, at the urging of the Arthritis Foundation, Congress and President Richard M. Nixon designated May as National Arthritis Month, a special time to emphasize research, service, and education about arthritis and raise funds to support the cause. Every May since then, National Arthritis Month has been marked by efforts to elevate the public’s awareness of arthritis.

During this Arthritis Awareness Month, get involved by helping raise awareness for this public health priority.

All content of this newsletter is intended for general information purposes only and is not intended or implied to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Please consult a medical professional before adopting any of the suggestions on this page. You must never disregard professional medical advice or delay seeking medical treatment based upon any content of this newsletter. PROMPTLY CONSULT YOUR PHYSICIAN OR CALL 911 IF YOU BELIEVE YOU HAVE A MEDICAL EMERGENCY.

Arthritis is a chronic disease that typically causes pain, inflammation, and stiffness in your joints. It affects one in every seven people and, which it most often affect older adults, it can occur at any age. Arthritis can develop gradually or quickly depending on a variety of factors, but once it starts, it usually lasts your entire life.

There are many different types of arthritis, but two of the most common types are osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis. Osteoarthritis usually affects weight-bearing joints such as the hips, knees, and back, but it can affect almost any joint. It causes pain and stiffness due to degeneration of the bone and cartilage. Men and women are usually affected at the same rate. Rheumatoid arthritis is caused by the body’s own immune system; it affects the lining of your joints first, then spreads to cartilage and bone. It affects women more often than men.

If arthritis symptoms last for 10 days or longer, you should discuss them with your doctor. These symptoms may be constant or intermittent; they may also occur during physical activity or at rest. When diagnosing arthritis, your doctor will perform a physical exam and take your complete medical history into account. Other diagnostic tests may include:

Blood testing
Urine analysis
Joint fluid specimen
X-ray testing

There are many ways that arthritis symptoms can be reduced so that people who have it can remain active. Several medications that reduce pain and swelling are available over-the-counter or may be prescribed by your doctor. Additionally, many people experience improvements in symptoms and increased joint mobility from exercise programs and physical therapy. Applying ice or heat to affected joints can also help.

If you are experience arthritis symptoms, you can schedule an appointment with a specialist at Jamaica Hospital Medical Center’s Ambulatory Care Center by calling (718) 206-7001.