UNDERSTANDING THE CONDITION
Initially, joint pain of any type serves
as a cue that something is wrong. If you
are a child, teen, young adult, mature adult
engaged in regular
physical activity, an
athlete or someone
otherwise participating
in sports, you might
believe the pain is due
to an injury. Older
adults may not be able
to associate the pain
with an injury. Regard-
less of one’s percep-
tion about the source
of pain, individual
responses to pain may vary from taking
over the counter anti-inflammatory and pain
medications to seeking medical attention.
Ultimately, only your doctor or health care
provider can answer the question, “Do I
have arthritis?”
Interestingly, some people think they
have arthritis, but they use popular over-the
counter pain medication to delay having a
personal conversation with their doctors.
In addition, older people often accept joint
pain as a natural part of aging and get
confirmation from others in their social
circles that it is unavoidable. Many older
family members will simply assert, “The
doctor cannot do anything, so why should I
talk to him about joint pain.” The Arthritis
Foundation is a great resource to equip
yourself with information to reverse arthritis
myths that pass from generation to gener-
18 HimPower May 2018
ation. Family reunions are one great place
where debunking the myths about arthritis
can take place. Fun health games can
promote an understanding of arthritis and
its effects on individual
health even in the fear-
fully and wonderfully
made body. Younger
people with joint pain,
swelling or stiffness
might never consider
arthritis. However, it is
important for everyone
to know that people
of any age can get
arthritis, even children.
Lifelong joint
health is an important part of everyone’s
health and well-being, productivity, quality
of life, social interactions, and emotional
state. The Arthritis Foundation recommends
that if you feel that joint pain might be
arthritis, it is best to seek help early and take
the necessary steps to protect your joints
from ongoing pain and permanent damage
due to uncontrolled inflammation. As with
most chronic conditions, early diagnosis
and treatment can save more than joints.
In some cases, this can save your life. Early
help seeking behaviors can protect overall
health.
Arthritis is not a simple disease nor is
it easy to diagnose. Because of the many
variations, it is understandable why it may
be difficult to diagnose. Individuals may
describe a range of symptoms. Sometimes
they report that the pain comes on slowly