Arthritis is a very common medical condition in the UK. It is reported that there are over 10 million people suffering with some form of it.
We have probably all heard of 3 common types of arthritis:
- Osteoarthritis
- Rheumatoid arthritis
- Gout
There are also many other forms that we may no little about. It is thought to be the most common cause of disability here in the UK.
Contrary to popular belief, it is not just a medical condition affecting older people. Anyone of any age can suffer with arthritis of some type.
What causes Arthritis?
There is no one contributory factor. Please see below a list of things that may be the cause:
- Gender
- Genetics
- Injury
- Age
- Infections
- Lifestyle
As you can see from the list above, you may have no control over whether or not you suffer with some form of arthritis at any stage throughout your life.
Weight management is recommended to ensure the affected joints are not having to cope with excess weight. Exercise can also help because it will strengthen the muscles that support your affected joints.
There are actually a number of self help options and some great reference websites that can help you do what you can to make sure you are doing all you can to manage your symptoms.
If you need to find out about the options to manage the pain of arthritis you can discuss this with your GP. They may recommend a combination of treatment which will ensure you can live as pain free as possible.