| Over 70 million Americans suffer from arthritis, but | | | | - Illness or infection |
| what causes arthritis in these patients? While it would | | | | Certain illnesses, such as gout, can often lead to the |
| be great if the doctor could give you a definitive | | | | development of arthritis. Any type of joint infection can |
| answer, many factors can contribute to getting arthritis, | | | | also contribute. |
| so it tends to be difficult to determine what causes the | | | | - Gender |
| condition. | | | | After women go through menopause, their bone |
| Risk factors | | | | density level often drops, leading to osteoporosis, a |
| While there are many, some of the most common are: | | | | form of the disease. However, osteoporosis can be |
| - Genetics | | | | slowed or stopped by taking supplements and |
| While it is believed that genetics contribute, no one is | | | | medication that will help stabilize bone loss. |
| certain how much. It is highly likely that genetic | | | | - Occupational hazards |
| variations can contribute to the cause. | | | | Certain occupations can contribute to the development |
| - Age | | | | of arthritis. Jobs that use repetitive motion for long |
| Cartilage becomes more brittle as we age, lowering its | | | | periods of time, such as assembly line work, can put |
| capacity to repair itself. As women grow older, they | | | | extreme stress on certain joints, causing inflammation |
| often suffer from low bone density, or osteoporosis, a | | | | and swelling. Jobs that require the lifting of heavy |
| form of arthritis. | | | | weights can also contribute. |
| - Weight | | | | - Stress |
| Arthritis results from pain and swelling of our joints. If | | | | While it is well known that stress can lead to a |
| we are overweight, our joints have more weight to | | | | multitude of health problems, very few people are |
| support, and the extra support needed can cause that | | | | aware that it can lead to arthritis. Too much stress in |
| pain and inflammation. Consequently, obesity can lead | | | | our lives upsets our body's hormonal balance, which |
| to the development of arthritis. | | | | then upsets the body's immune system. The |
| - Previous injury or infection | | | | weakened immune system can allow bacteria into our |
| Healthy joints have a normal, smooth surface. Injuries in | | | | bodies, which can lead to the development of arthritis. |
| which a joint is damaged can cause irregularities in this | | | | The causes of arthritis are many, and doctors have no |
| smooth surface, which can lead to arthritis. Infections | | | | way of pinpointing which of those have caused the |
| of the joints can also be a cause. | | | | development of your pain and suffering. However, |
| - Some high-level sports | | | | there are things that we can do to help decrease our |
| No one knows how much participating in high-level | | | | chances of getting arthritis. These include: |
| sports contributes to the development of arthritis. | | | | 1. Avoid all types of repetitive movements. If you |
| However, if injuries lead to arthritis, then any injuries | | | | cannot avoid them, take frequent breaks in activity. |
| occurring as a result of sports participation could lead | | | | 2. Maintain a regular exercise routine. This will keep |
| to arthritis. Don't let this discourage you from | | | | your joints flexible and your muscles strong. |
| participating in your favorite sports. Most doctors | | | | 3. Avoid any constant lifting of heavy objects. |
| believe that the benefits of sports participation far | | | | 4. Live a lifestyle that supports moderation and |
| outweigh the risk of arthritis. | | | | balance. |