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  • Arthritis
    Arthritis is often seen as a disease that affects the elderly but it can affect people of all ages. According to the Arthritis Foundation, two-thirds of people with arthritis are under the age of 65. And more people in their late 30s and 40s are now being diagnosed with the condition 
Submitted by PatientsEngage on 6 July 2015

What is it 
The word “arthritis” means joint inflammation, and it's used to describe different diseases and conditions that affect joints, the tissues that surround joints, and other connective tissue.

Arthritis is often seen as a disease that affects the elderly but it can affect people of all ages. According to the Arthritis Foundation, two-thirds of people with arthritis are under the age of 65. And more people in their late 30s and 40s are now being diagnosed with the condition. As mentioned in a Times of India* article, doctors blame obesity and the lack of certain micronutrients, like Vitamin D, folic acid and Vitamin B6, for this.

About 1 out of every 5 adults in Asia has reported being diagnosed with some form of arthritis. Two in three people who are obese may develop symptomatic knee osteoarthritis in their lifetime.

*http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/pune/World-Arthritis-Day-Poor-lifestyle-obesity-trigger-arthritis-in-young-people/articleshow/23996996.cms

Causes and Risk factorshttp://www.patientsengage.com/conditions/arthritis/causes-risk-factors

Can it be preventedhttp://www.patientsengage.com/conditions/arthritis/prevention

Tests and Diagnosishttp://www.patientsengage.com/conditions/arthritis/diagnosis-tests

When to seek immediate helphttp://www.patientsengage.com/conditions/arthritis/signs-symptoms

Types of arthritishttp://www.patientsengage.com/conditions/arthritis/types-stages

Treatment options: http://www.patientsengage.com/conditions/arthritis/treatments

Management of arthritis: http://www.patientsengage.com/conditions/arthritis/management

 

 

Condition

Stories

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  • Don’t Let Rheumatoid Arthritis Pain and Disability Consume You
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  • No Matter What The Illness, Never Let Your Spirit Die
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  • Ice Pack or Heat: What Should I Use?
    Are you confused as to when to use Ice Pack and when to use Heat to deal with pain, injury and inflammation? This infographic below sums it up quite simply. According to Dr. Bhuvaneswari, a quick guideline to follow is:  Ice pack is preferred if it is a recent and acute pain episode especially injury which may be a blood clot, muscle tear or tendon tear.  For instance most sport and exercse injuries.  Heat or warmth for Chronic pain with stiffness, especially joint related…
  • Stock pic of 3 different seating postures and only one of these is correct
    Are You Sitting Right: At the Desk or On the Bed?
    Kalpana Kamdar, a physiotherapist from Ahmedabad, emphasises the importance of good posture to protect our bones, joints, muscles and ligaments and suggests simple ways to keep our musculoskeletal system in perfect shape. Video of webinar recording below. In the past three articles we have discussed how bad postures are the actual reason for pain and discomfort in most cases, though it is frequently wrongly diagnosed and treated as local issues like Cervical Spondylitis, Frozen Shoulder, Tennis…
  • Try Group Drumming for a Healthy Lifestyle
    The Rhythm Wellness initiative of Global ArtsCare in Singapore conducts group drumming session for the elderly to reduce loneliness, increase energy levels and morale and provide recreational and wellness activities. Tell us about Global ArtsCare and the work it does? At GlobalArtsCare we aim to transform lives-in-care through creative arts engagement. Our activities aim to make creative arts engagement accessible to as many people in care facilities. In the process, residents, care-givers, and…
  • Some days I am too Weak to even Squeeze Out Toothpaste
    How does one smile and be cheerful when one wakes up with severely stiff joints and incredible pain? In the conclusion of this two-part series, Lakshmi Menon, 63, talks about the various health issues that arise as Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA) progresses and offers coping mechanisms to maintain best health. I began to monitor my health condition such as increased pain, swelling or other changes so I could report these developments to my rheumatologist. In the past 8 years, other than pain, morning…
  • Extraordinary Stories of Yoga Complementing Healing and Management of Chronic Conditions
    Does Yoga help people manage chronic conditions and the various symptoms? On International Yoga Day, we speak to a cross section of people who believe strongly that yoga has contributed greatly in their journey of recovery1.  Mr Purushotaman - Parkinsons Mr. Purushotaman is 77-years-old and has had Parkinson's for 4 years. An unassuming gentleman, Mr. Purushotaman is extremely regular for all meetings and yoga sessions conducted by Parivarthan for Parkinson’s. Parivarthan is a…
  • Can you live a Normal Life with Rheumatoid Arthritis?
    Lakshmi Menon, 63, talks about how she was diagnosed with Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA) and her continuous struggle to manage its pain and debilitating symptoms. This is the first of a two-part series. I first got to know of Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA) when my twin sister was afflicted with this debilitating disease when she was in her early 30s. She had a very virulent form of RA which caused her severe pain and, in no time caused deformation of her hands and feet and reduced mobility. It was her…
  • My Rheumatoid Arthritis Symptoms Started at 18
    Vonita Singh, who conducts therapeutic dance classes Movement Mantra in Dubai, is herself a patient of Rheumatoid Arthritis from a very early age. She shares how she fought to overcome the physical challenges Tell us a little about when RA started? What were the symptoms? It all started with the big toe of my right foot - I was all of 18 years old! Subtle pain and tenderness were the main symptoms initially, but that did not create enough anxiety for me to talk about it with anyone, including…