What is arthritis? Arthritis is an umbrella term used for a group of more than 100 medical conditions. Nearly 70 million adults and 300,000 children in the U.S. have some form of arthritis. Some of the more common forms of arthritis include osteoarthritis, gout, rheumatoid arthritis, fibromyalgia, osteoporosis, systemic lupus, scleroderma, and Lyme disease.

What are the symptoms of arthritis?  It depends on the type of arthritis. Common symptoms include pain, stiffness, inflammation or swelling, and damage to the joint cartilage; joint weakness and deformity. These symptoms can result in loss of ability to do daily tasks of living, such as climbing stairs, waking, typing, taking a bath, etc.

Some forms of arthritis can affect the entire body, including vital organs such as the heart, lungs, kidneys, blood vessels and skin.

Is there a cure for arthritis? Arthritis cannot be cured, but the symptoms can be managed. The goal of arthritis management is to improve joint function and relieve pan. It is important to get a diagnosis of the specific type of arthritis a person has.  A proper balance of exercise, rest, good nutrition, and appropriate use of medications can help to relieve stiffness and pain and improve joint mobility and strength.

 

Steps you can take to help manage arthritis:

• Exercise to keep muscles strong and joints flexible.
• Lose excess weight to reduce stress on joints.
• Eat a healthy diet.  
• Quit smoking to maintain bone density and help prevent osteoporosis. Smoking can aggravate or worsen a number of rheumatic diseases. If you need help quitting, contact the

Illinois Tobacco Quitline at 1-866-784-8937.