Arthritis

Arthritis is the leading cause of disability in the United States, limiting the activities of more than 17 million adults. There are different types of arthritis. Many people start to feel pain and stiffness in their bodies over time. Sometimes their hands or knees or shoulders get sore and are hard to move and may become swollen. These people may have arthritis and arthritis has many forms. The two most common forms of arthritis are osteoarthritis (the most prevalent form of arthritis) and rheumatoid arthritis. Arthritis can damage your joints, internal organs, and skin. There are things you can do to keep the damage from getting worse such as proper diet and proper exercise. Also, there are now many medications available for arthritis. Most are relatively safe and well tolerated, but no medication is completely free of possible side effects. Consult with your doctor or healthcare provider for more information on arthritis.