May is Arthritis Awareness Month at Abraham Family Medicine

Living with arthritis is an everyday struggle for millions of Americans. Arthritis is a medical condition that is characterized by inflammation of the joints. The most notable symptoms of arthritis include joint pain, stiffness, swelling, and difficulty with range of motion. Although arthritis affects people of all ages, it is most commonly associated with older individuals, as the symptoms typically become more severe as the years go on. In honor of National Arthritis Awareness Month, our healthcare providers wanted to shed some light on this condition in hopes of helping people with arthritis better manage their symptoms.

According to the Arthritis Foundation, nearly 53 million adults in the US have been diagnosed with arthritis, making it the most common cause of disability for Americans. They predict this number will reach 67 million by the year 2030. Adults with arthritis miss about 172 million work days annually, accounting for more than $156 billion annually in lost wages and medical expenses. There is a common link between arthritis and other serious medical conditions including heart disease, diabetes, and high blood pressure.

There are two main types of arthritis: osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis. Osteoarthritis, the most common type of arthritis, involves damage to the cartilage of the joint caused by excessive wear-and-tear. Enough wear-and-tear can lead to a total cartilage lapse in which bone grinds directly on bone, causing pain and restricted movement. This wear and tear occurs over several years, but it can be accelerated by a joint injury or infection. In rheumatoid arthritis, the body’s immune system attacks the lining of the joint capsule, known as the synovial membrane. As a result, the lining becomes inflamed and swollen causing pain, stiffness, and inflammation in the area. Over time, rheumatoid arthritis can effectively destroy cartilage and bone within the joint.

Depending on your condition and medical history, we provide several treatment options for arthritis including anti-inflammatory medications (if the patient can tolerate them), physical therapy to help improve joint and muscle function, or surgery. Certain low impact exercises like aerobics or stretching can help manage arthritis symptoms. With any arthritis treatment, our goal is to reduce painful symptoms and help the patient improve their quality of living. In some cases, combining treatments can offer the best long-term results.

Here at Abraham Family Medicine, we understand the physical and emotional toll that arthritis can take. That’s why we work hard to not only raise awareness of this condition, but to treat and provide relief for those patients who need it most. For more information on arthritis or if you would like to schedule an appointment, please contact Abraham Family Medicine today. Our providers offer a wide variety of general healthcare services for patients of all ages at our Snellville office, located very close to Grayson, Dacula, and Lilburn.