What Is Arthritis? – Know Your Disease!

Though many millions of Americans are at risk for contracting arthritis in their lifetimes, many do not know even the basics and ask “what is arthritis?” Often when people ask “what is Arthritis?” they are inquiring about the risks. Anyone can contract arthritis at any age, but clearly the risks increase later in life. As the average age of our society increases with the baby boomer generation now entering their senior years, all people should understand the causes, symptoms, and treatments of arthritis. Asking “What Is Arthritis?” leads to possessing a clear understanding of the disease can be the difference between needless suffering for years with debilitating symptoms or continuing life with minimal disruptions.

One of the most frequently misunderstood aspects of asking “What Is Arthritis?” is defining who is at risk. What is arthritis as it relates to genetics? Just as a family history of arthritis is not a definite sign that you will also be cursed with the condition, a clear family history does not necessarily let you off the hook. Many patients want to know what is arthritis about and what are the physical causes? Many forms of arthritis are caused by stress or repetitive motions to the joints and significantly increase the risk to people who otherwise have little risk factors.

What is arthritis and how can the disease adversely affect your health and what resulting symptoms this can bring about? Often when patients ask “What Is Arthritis?” they want to understand why their joints are inflamed and painful. The condition can be caused by cartilage loss, lack of synovial fluid, or an autoimmune system that turns on itself and attacks the joint. An important part of understanding “What Is Arthritis?” is knowing that these potential causes of joint dysfunction lead to the protective layer of cartilage around the bones being worn away and creating a painful condition.

So what is arthritis as it relates to what you should expect in terms of symptoms and treatment? The most common symptoms felt in the affected joints are inflammation, pain, and tenderness. What is arthritis and what are its symptoms? Often arthritis causes other overall symptoms, including fever, fatigue, and weight loss. As the disease progresses, the joints may no longer be able to retain their shape and deform as a result of the continual loss of cartilage. There are many effective treatments available to treat and even prevent these symptoms, the most popular of which being anti-inflammatory medications. The first step is to get the answers to the question “What Is Arthritis?”