WHAT IS ARTHRITIS?
Arthritis is very common but is not well understood. Actually, “arthritis” is not a single disease; it is an informal way of referring to joint pain or joint disease.
There are more than 100 different types of arthritis and related conditions. People of all ages, sexes and races can get arthritis.
More than 50 million adults and 300,000 children have some type of arthritis. It is most common among women and occurs more frequently in the elderly population.
Common arthritis joint symptoms include swelling, pain, stiffness and decreased range of motion. Symptoms may come and go. They can be mild, moderate or severe. They may stay about the same for years, but may progress or get worse over time. Severe arthritis can result in chronic pain, inability to do daily activities and make it difficult to walk or climb stairs. Arthritis can cause permanent joint changes.
These changes may be visible, such as knobby finger joints, but often the damage can only be seen on X-ray. Some types of arthritis also affect the heart, eyes, lungs, kidneys and skin as well as the joints.
It is important to keep active whilst in the early stages of Arthritis to prevent loss of mobility as it progresses. Studies show that doing Strengthening and Balancing exercises help increase mobility, balance and stiffness.