Many people start to feel pain and stiffness in their bodies over time. Sometimes their hands or knees or hips get sore and are hard to move. These people may have arthritis. Arthritis can cause pain and swelling in your joints and cause them to become severely damaged. Joints are places where two bones meet, such as your elbow or knee. Some kinds of arthritis can cause problems in other organs, such as your eyes, or in your chest. It can affect your skin, too.
The two most common types of arthritis are rheumatoid (ROO-mah-toyd) arthritis and osteoarthritis (AH-stee-oh-ar-THRY-tis). Osteoarthritis, the most common, usually comes with age and most often affects the fingers, knees, and hips. Sometimes osteoarthritis follows an injury to a joint. For example, a young person might hurt his knee badly playing soccer. Then, years after the knee has apparently healed, he might get arthritis in his knee joint. Rheumatoid arthritis happens when the body's own defense system doesn't work properly. It affects joints, bones, and organs--often the hands and feet. You may feel sick or tired, and you may have a fever.
To find out if you have arthritis, go to a doctor. Only a doctor can tell if you have arthritis or a related condition and what to do about it. Many people use herbs or medicines that you can buy without a prescription for pain. You should tell your doctor if you do.. You'll need to tell the doctor how you feel and where you hurt. The doctor will examine you and may take x rays (pictures) of your bones or joints. The x rays don't hurt and aren't dangerous. You may also have to give a little blood for tests that will help the doctor decide if you have arthritis and what kind you have.
After the doctor knows what kind of arthritis you have, he or she will talk with you about the best way to treat it. The doctor may give you a prescription for medicine that will help with the pain, stiffness, and inflammation. Health insurance or public assistance may help you pay for the medicine, doctor visits, tests, and x rays. Before you leave the doctor's office, ask about the best way to take the medicine the doctor prescribes. For example, you may need to take some medicines with milk, or you may need to eat something just before or after taking them, so they don't upset your stomach. Also ask how often to take the medicine or to put cream on the spots that bother you. Creams might make your skin and joints feel better. Sometimes, though, they can make your skin burn or break out in a rash. If this happens, call the doctor.
Americans and Arthritis
In 2002, an estimated 43 million adults in the United States (21%) reported being told by a doctor that they have some form of arthritis, and 23 million adults reported chronic joint symptoms (possible arthritis) but had not yet been diagnosed. More than 50% of adults 75 years and over reported an arthritis diagnosis. By 2030, an estimated 64.9 million of Americans aged 18 years or older will have doctor-diagnosed arthritis. [Data Source: 2002 NHIS]
Arthritis in Arizona
20.5% of the population in Arizona suffer from some form of arthritis. Prevalence increases with age, and half the population 75 years and older are affected. (See: MMWR 47(17):345-51, 1998 May 8)
