You made all the delicate, inner parts of my body and knit me together
in my mother’s womb Thank you for making me so wonderfully complex!
Your workmanship is marvelous—how well I know it.
Psalm 139: 13-15 (NLT)
keep growing—unless more people take an
active role in advocating for universal access
to medical care and treatment, self-man-
agement interventions, and intervention
research aimed at improving the lives of
those affected by arthritis. Each one of us
can begin by learning the facts, under-
standing his or her condition or the status of
a family member, and seeking help through
the available resources. Regardless of age,
gender, arthritis type, or health insurance
status, there are local resources
( https://www.arthritis.org/about-arthritis/ ) to
assist you, families, friends with managing
arthritis, and in some cases slowing the
progression of this debilitating disease.
LEARNING THE BASIC FACTS
So, what is arthritis? First, arthritis is
an umbrella term. It includes more than
100 diseases and conditions that affect
joints, tissues surrounding joints and other
connecting tissue. Second, it is a common
cause of chronic pain. Third, symptoms
differ depending on the specific type of
arthritis. According to the Centers for
Disease Control (CDC), common types
include:
• Rheumatoid arthritis
(https://www.cdc.gov/arthritis/interventions/index.htm)
•
•
•
•
Osteoarthritis
Fibromyalgia
Gout
Children’s arthritis
Typically, all forms of arthritis include
pain and stiffness in and around one or
more joints. Joints are areas where two
bones connect with each other. These areas
of connection permit body parts to move.
For example, the shoulder, elbow, knee, jaw,
and fingers are joints that permit a range
of motion. They fulfill this purpose until
they are damaged or weakened. Joint health
often determines the quality of life for both
young and older individuals. Health promo-
tion and public health professionals report
that arthritis is widespread in the U.S. and
the leading cause of disability among older
adults. An aging population and factors
that increase susceptibility to arthritis (e.g.
obesity, sedentary lifestyles) contribute to
the growing concerns about the costs—
financial, physical, and psychological
on individuals and families impacted by
arthritis disease and conditions. According
to the CDC, arthritis will play a large role
in the quality of life, independent func-
tioning, and disability of older adults in the
upcoming decades.
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