What is Arthritis?
Arthritis is an umbrella term for over 100 medical conditions that affect your joints.
Arthritis-related problems include pain, stiffness, inflammation and damage to joint cartilage (the tissue that covers the ends of bones, enabling them to move against each another) and surrounding structures. This can result in joint weakness, instability and deformities that can interfere with the most basic daily tasks such as walking, driving a car and preparing food.
As the population ages, the number of people with arthritis is growing. There is a widely held belief that arthritis is simply a consequence of age. But it is not a natural part of ageing. In fact, there are millions of working age sufferers.
Research suggests that early intervention can delay the onset of the disease and may reduce the number of cases of osteoarthritis.
While there are about 100 forms of arthritis, the three most common causes account for 95% of all arthritis. These are:
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There is no known cure for arthritis. However arthritis usually manageable, but can impact on your quality of life and includes varying degrees of discomfort and pain.
Less common forms of arthritis are:
- Ankylosing Spondylitis
- Juvenile arthritis
- Systemic lupus erythematosus (lupus)
- Scleroderma
Frequently Asked Questions about Arthritis
More Information About Specific Arthritis Conditions
Common Arthritis Treatments
Helpful Products for Arthritis
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