Health
Information On Arthritis
Arthritis is one of the most common medical complaints, affecting 40% of Americans and 50% of the population worldwide. Arthritis is the leading cause of disability in the United States. In 1997 medical costs for arthritis in the United States alone exceeded 50 billion dollars.Arthritis is the most common cause of disability in the United States, limiting the activities of nearly 19 million adults. The CDC Arthritis Program is working to improve the quality of life for people affected by arthritis and other rheumatic conditions by working with states and other partners to increase awareness about appropriate arthritis self management activities and expanding the reach of programs proven to improve the quality of life for people with arthritis.
There are many forms of arthritis (over 100 and growing). The forms range from those related to wear and tear of cartilage (such as osteoarthritis) to those associated with inflammation resulting from an overactive immune system (such as rheumatoid arthritis). Together, the many forms of arthritis make up the most common chronic illness in the United States.
We do not know the cause of arthritis. In rheumatoid arthritis the theory that it is triggered by an infection has never been proved. It may be partly hereditary and it occurs three times as often in women as in men. All age groups can develop arthritis - even children - but usually rheumatoid arthritis appears between the ages of 30 and 35. Arthritis is the inflammation of a joint, but is more than just one condition: there are more than 150 kinds of arthritis. The myDr team has compiled a comprehensive Arthritis Health Centre to help you and your family deal with arthritis.
