Chances are you are familiar with the term arthritis, but did you know that it is a complicated disease that can affect anyone, not just the elderly? The term arthritis in itself refers to roughly 120 different diseases that can have some sort of impact on the joints, muscles, and other soft tissues in the body.

Chances are you are familiar with the term arthritis, but did you know that it is a complicated disease that can affect anyone, not just the elderly? The term arthritis in itself refers to roughly 120 different diseases that can have some sort of impact on the joints, muscles, and other soft tissues in the body.

Chances are you are familiar with the term arthritis, but did you know that it is a complicated disease that can affect anyone, not just the elderly? The term arthritis in itself refers to roughly 120 different diseases that can have some sort of impact on the joints, muscles, and other soft tissues in the body. No matter what form it comes in, arthritis can be absolutely debilitating and dramatically impact an individual’s overall quality of life. For whatever reason, there are many misconceptions about this common joint disease and who it can affect. Before we get into some of the most interesting – and surprising – facts about arthritis, as well as how aquatics therapy may be able to help relieve symptoms, let’s look at the three most common forms of arthritis:

  • Osteoarthritis – This is a degenerative joint disease that is the single most common type of arthritis in the U.S. Approximately 21 million adults are living with some type of osteoarthritis in the U.S. to date. The most common group affected by this disease are the elderly, as this is generally thought of as “wear and tear” arthritis
  • Rheumatoid arthritis – More than 2 million people in the U.S. are living with rheumatoid arthritis, and not just the elderly. This disease most often affects the lining of the joint, which means it can be quite painful. This specific inflammatory condition often results in the body’s immune system targeting its own tissue, resulting in joint swelling over a long period of time, which can lead to deformity and even loss of joint function. Another interesting characteristic of rheumatoid arthritis is that it affects the entire body. Symptoms vary from a sense of fatigue, fever, and general unwellness
  • Fibromyalgia – The third most common arthritic condition worth discussing is fibromyalgia. This disease affects approximately 2 percent of the U.S. population, or 5 million people. It is generally characterized by pain and stiffness in the tissues, which can make moving the bones and joints difficult. Those living with fibromyalgia may also experience widespread, localized tender points in specific muscles and tendons, particularly in the neck, spine, shoulders, and hips

As briefly mentioned above, arthritis can affect people of all different ages, including children. The symptoms vary from person to person, depending on numerous factors.

Facts About Arthritis

Now that you have a better idea of what arthritis is and what some of the common forms of it are, let’s go over some surprising facts about the joint disease:

  • Arthritis is the leading cause of disability in the United States (roughly 19 million adults report some complications for arthritis)
  • There is no cure for arthritis
    • However, it can be managed well through various treatment programs, such as aquatics therapy
  • One of the best ways to manage arthritis is through early detection
  • Arthritis affects more than just a person’s knees, hips, and hands
  • Arthritis is more common among women than men
  • Animals can develop arthritis, too
  • Arthritis is a risk factor for other diseases, such as heart disease, obesity, and diabetes

To learn more about how Classic Rehabilitation’s aquatics therapy program may be able to help you cope with arthritis, please contact us today.