One of the most common diseases in people over 50 is arthritis. Arthritis is actually a general term to encompass a wide variety of diseases, just like cancer can mean lung cancer, leukemia, or Hodgkin's disease among many other. Like cancer, arthritis has many different specific types that affect people of every age and gender, and most doctors would agree to read up on this subject a bit because of its prevalence. So, what exactly is arthritis, how many people does it affect, and what can you do to help yourself?

What is arthritis?

Most simply put, arthritis is a disease that results in irritation, inflammation, and ultimately pain in joints. Over 35 million Americans have arthritis, and it has many different causes. Osteoarthritis is caused by aging or a wound to the bone, such as a fracture. Septic arthritis is caused by a bacterial infection or virus. Gout forms when acidic crystals build up in joints and causes friction. Yet to fully understand what arthritis is, you also need to see the results. Without treatment, arthritis always gets worse. Joints, especially the cartilage in joints, gets worn down as inflammation of those joints increases. Inflammation of the joints can be very painful, but there are several general treatments available to reduce the effects.

Once you know what arthritis is, it's time to learn how to combat it. Arthritis is the leading cause of disability in the United States, but there are many steps you can take to treat arthritis. If you suspect that you have arthritis, see a doctor immediately. The faster you get a diagnosis, the more effective the treatments will be, like most other illnesses. A diagnosis can come from a physical examination, blood sample, or X-ray. Sometimes other tissue and bone samples can be taken to get a more definite picture of the arthritis. Often, a doctor will refer an arthritis patient to an orthopedic surgeon and physical therapist to develop a plan to combat the arthritis, and treatment can begin within a few days.

Vitamin supplements and exercise vastly reduce the risk of arthritis. Something as simple as walking can go a long way to make sure your bones are healthy. Sometimes fluids will be extracted from the inflamed joints to reduce pressure and ease movement. Other treatments include regular exercise to build muscle strength and adapt your joints to movement so that it is less painful to move, along with medications to help with the swelling and pain. Now that you know what arthritis is, it's time to go and take the preventative measures so that you don't develop arthritis.