Facts to Know During Arthritis Awareness Month This May

For people who experience arthritis, the pain and frustration can be an everyday struggle. Arthritis causes inflammation in joints all over the body, leading to chronic symptoms like pain, stiffness, swelling, and difficulty with range of motion. And while it may seem virtually impossible to find an arthritis treatment that really works, there are things people can do to ease their symptoms as they age. In honor of National Arthritis Awareness Month this May, our healthcare providers at Abraham Family Medicine wanted to provide some helpful facts about arthritis and how it can be effectively managed.

• The CDC estimates that over 58 million adults in the US are living with arthritis, a figure they expect to increase as life expectancy rises and the population gets older.
• Arthritis affects people of all ages, but it is most commonly associated with older individuals, and the symptoms typically worsen as the years go on.
• There are over 100 types of arthritis, with osteoarthritis being the most common among them by far and rheumatoid being the most impairing.
• Arthritis remains a leading cause of work disability among US adults.
• There is a link between arthritis and other common chronic health conditions including obesity, diabetes, heart disease, and gastrointestinal issues which is why it is critical to talk with your provider about the best plan for your situation.
• Additionally, there is a connection between arthritis and certain skin conditions like psoriasis.
• Healthy lifestyle habits including regular exercise, weight management, and stress reduction techniques can help manage arthritis symptoms.
• Stretching, performing yoga, tai chi and other flexibility exercises can also provide additional relief.
• Potential arthritis treatment methods include the use of prescription and over-the-counter medications, physical therapy, massage, hydrotherapy, and even surgery in some more severe cases.

Arthritis can be truly debilitating if left untreated. That’s why the healthcare providers here at Abraham Family Medicine work with our patients in order to discover the cause of their issues and develop a treatment plan that works for them. For more details on arthritis you can get more specific information from arthritis.org. If you would like to schedule an appointment, please contact Abraham Family Medicine today. Our office is located in Snellville, not far from Grayson, Dacula, Lilburn and Loganville.