| Arthritis is the #1 cause of disability in the world with | | | | The one that affects the most people is osteoarthritis, |
| more than 350 million people affected. 1/7 of the total | | | | a degenerative joint disease. It comes as a result of |
| people affected live in the U.S. They suffer from | | | | natural aging, trauma or infection of the joint. Other well |
| severe limitations, absenteeism, obesity, high | | | | known types are rheumatoid arthritis, psoriatic arthritis |
| cholesterol, heart disease, depression and fears their | | | | and autoimmune diseases. These types causes the |
| symptoms could get worse. It's estimated that the total | | | | body to attack is own tissues while others like septic |
| cost of arthritis cases is close to $100 billion of which | | | | arthritis is caused by joint infection. The most common |
| nearly 50% accounts from lost earnings. Each year, | | | | symptoms for all arthritis disorders include varied levels |
| arthritis results in nearly 1 million hospitalizations and | | | | of pain, swelling, joint stiffness, ache around one or |
| close to 45 million visits to health care centers. More | | | | many joints, fever, weight loss, poor sleep, malaise and |
| than 70% of people who are affected by arthritis in | | | | feeling of tiredness. These symptoms should be taken |
| North America are over the age of 65. It's more | | | | seriously and treated early to prevent any |
| common in women than men at all ages and affects | | | | complications. |
| all races, ethnic groups and cultures. | | | | Available treatments include drugs such as |
| There's over 100 type of arthritis, some more severe | | | | corticosteroids, disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs |
| then others. The primary forms of arthritis range from | | | | (DMARDs), immunosuppressants (cyclosporine and |
| osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, septic arthritis, gout | | | | cyclophosphamide), non-steroidal anti-inflammatory |
| and pseudo-gout, juvenile idiopathic arthritis, still's | | | | drugs (NSAIDs), etanercept (Enbrel), infliximab |
| disease to ankylosing spondylitis. The secondary forms | | | | (Remicade) and adalimumab (Humira). Physical therapy, |
| are link to other diseases and complications. They | | | | exercise, orthopedic bracing, medications, dietary |
| ranges from Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome, reactive arthritis, | | | | supplements, arthroplasty (joint replacement surgery) |
| psoriatic arthritis, lyme disease, hepatitis, | | | | and natural remedies may be the solution depending of |
| haemochromatosis, sarcoidosis, Inflammatory bowel | | | | the arthritis. Clinical examination, radiology and blood |
| disease, Henoch-Schönlein purpura to Wegener's | | | | tests made from an appropriate health professional |
| granulomatosis. | | | | are key for a good diagnosis. |