Arthritis Fact Sheet

The word "arthritis" can be broken down to explain exactly what it is. "Arthro" refers to the joints and "itis" means inflammation. Therefore, anyone with inflammation in one or several joints has this condition. Arthritis can be caused by the action of the immune system or from wear and tear on the joints.

Kids with Arthritis

According to the Arthritis Foundation, about 300,000 kids have this inflammatory condition.

Symptoms

Some of the symptoms of arthritis are limited range of motion, swollen joints, stiffness and pain.

Types

The two main types of arthritis are osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis.

Treatment

Doctors may treat arthritis with drugs, surgery or physical therapy. They may choose to use only one of those treatments or a combination.

Behavior Changes that Relieve Symptoms

For obese people with arthritis, losing weight can ease the wear and tear on their joints. Low-impact exercise can help patients lose weight and keep joints mobile without causing joint damage.

References

• Arthritis Foundation: Juvenile Arthritis
• Mayo Clinic: Lifestyle Remedies for Arthritis
• Mayo Clinic: Arthritis Overview

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