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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 causes arthritis
Although the exact causes are unknown, it is believed to include the following:

  • Genetics
  • Injury
  • Infection
  • Lifestyle related factors, primarily, smoking, diet, use of oral contraceptives and excessive coffee intake
  • Obesity 
  • Environmental factors, like stress
  • Autoimmune conditions (your body's own immune system attacking the joints, causing inflammation - warmth, swelling, tenderness - within the joints)

Are you at risk

Are you:

  • 65 or above in age: The risk of many types of arthritis — including osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis and gout — increases with age.
  • Younger people are increasingly suffering from osteoarthritis. (See article above)
  • Have a family history of arthritis: Your genes can make you more susceptible to environmental factors that may trigger arthritis.
  • A woman: Women are more likely than men to develop rheumatoid arthritis due to many hormonal changes.
  • Have had a previous joint injury: People who have injured a joint, perhaps while playing a sport, are more likely to eventually develop arthritis in that joint.
  • Obese: Carrying excess pounds puts stress on joints, particularly your knees, hips and spine. Obese people have a higher risk of developing arthritis.
Condition

Stories

  • Why Does My Shoulder Hurt?
    Dr Kalpana Kamdar, a physiotherapist from Ahmedabad, warns that slumping and slouching for long hours while sitting can result in severe shoulder dysfunction, unbearable pain, inflammation and restriction of movement in the neck, shoulders and upper back.  Case Study A 65-year-old male patient, retired from a clerical job, came with diffused pain in and around the left shoulder joint and loss of movement due to pain and weakness but no stiffness in the shoulder. He had first been treated…
  • Arthritis Friendly Kitchen E-Book
    Do you or a family member like to cook in the kitchen but struggle with the aches and pains due to Arthritis and other bone and joint conditions? Do you know that with some modifications and some simple tips, your kitchen can be made Elder Friendly or Arthritis Friendly? Here are some tips consolidated into the Arthritis Friendly Kitchen E-Book that you can download. And if you like the ebook, please share this page with your friends and family - so they can benefit from this as well.  And…
  • 10 Diet Tips to Prevent Gout Attack
    A simple change in the type of foods consumed can reduce the frequency and severity of gout. Nutritionist Kohila Govindaraju recommends a gout-friendly diet that that will help you avoid pain, swelling and tenderness in the joints and keep major flare ups in control. Gout is a type of arthritis, typically caused by a build-up of uric acid in the blood. Uric acid normally dissolves in the blood and gets excreted by the kidneys. When the body makes extra uric acid and the kidneys cannot excrete…
  • Image: E-Book cover of Arthritis Management Tips in Hindi
    20 Tips Arthritis ki dekh bhal ke liye - Hindi
    Kya aap jaante hain ki 30-40 varsh ke logon ko arthritis (gathiya) ka dard hone laga hai. Iss liye humne 20 Tips to Manage Arthritis ka hindi anuvaad kiya hai.  Arthritis ki poori jaankari iss ebook mein hai Arthritis kya hota hai Arthritis ke prakaar Arthritis se bachne ke upaaye Arthritis ko niyantrit rakhne ke tarike Hamari 20 Tips to Manage Arthritis E-book ab Hindi mein. Register/Login karein aur phir yahan se download karein:  20 Sujhav Arthritis (gathiya) ki Dekh…
  • Image: A man looking at his foot which has gout symptoms
    Frequently Asked Questions on Gout
    Most of us are familiar with the term Gout without being aware of its full implications. This FAQ briefs us about all that we need to know about the condition and how we can tackle it, should we be affected. 1.  What is Gout? Gout is a kind of arthritis where uric acid gets deposited in the joints and soft tissues. This, in turn, causes inflammation with redness, swelling, heat, pain and stiffness in the affected joint. Since the foot has numerous joints, the big toe is primarily affected…
  • Starting a Family With Rheumatoid Arthritis
    When I was first diagnosed with RA, I remember reading an article that said “sometimes having arthritis means sitting on the sidelines while others dance at a wedding.” I was only 25 and, at the time, unmarried. I remember angrily thinking: but what if it’s my wedding? I have often been frustrated by the lack of good advice, resources, stories, and support for people diagnosed with RA at a young age. Though I am now happily married (and danced at my own wedding!) one…
  • Why Do I Wake Up With a Stiff Neck?
    Kalpana Kamdar, a Physiotherapist from Ahmedabad, points out the hazards of a bad sitting and sleeping posture that can dangerously overwork or overload the muscles causing severe pain and stiffness in the head, neck, shoulders and back. Here she recommends ways to correct the body alignment and get a perfect posture. Video of webinar recording below. DON’T LET BAD POSTURE BECOME A HABIT….!!! Case Study A 23-year-old law student came to me with severe pain on the left side of his neck. He…
  • Are You Addressing the Root Cause of your Pain?
    We bring you a series of articles on good posture and good health by Kalpana Kamdar, a Physiotherapist from Ahmedabad. In the first article Physiotherapist Kamdar stresses the importance of a well aligned and balanced posture to protect the bones, muscles and the supporting structures from progressive deformity and injury. Video of webinar recording below. Seldom is the location of pain, the cause of the pain Case Study A 65 year old retired male, physically active at home. Chief complaint of…
  • Stanford Medicine: Arts and Humanities in Medicine
    The world of medicine is beginning to increasingly acknowledge the potential of expressive arts therapies such as art, music, drama, dance/movement, poetry/creative writing and play in the context of healing, treatment, psychotherapy, counselling and rehabilitation. Activities such as drawing, drumming, creative movement and play acting allow individuals of all ages to express deep-seated thoughts and feelings, improve physical, mental and emotional well-being and boost self-esteem and…
  • Causes of Sciatica Pain and Prevention Tips
    Sciatica pain can cause extreme distress. This is a quick analysis of what causes it and 6 tips on how we can try and prevent it. Sciatica Sciatica pain is the pain and tingling caused by the sciatica nerve. It is usually felt as an intense pain in the leg and the pain travels all the way down from the spine. Sciatica is not a condition but a symptom itself that can have various underlying reasons. Causes of Sciatica pain: Injury or trauma: Direct injury to the spinal column can cause nerve…