Over 46 million Americans-about one in every five adults-have arthritis. As the population ages, these numbers are projected to increase dramatically. Arthritis is more common among older adults, but it also affects children and young adults. In fact, nearly two thirds of people with arthritis are younger than 65.

Arthritis is the most common cause of disability among U.S. adults. It limits everyday activities for 19 million Americans. Early and aggressive management of arthritis can reduce complications and delay costly procedures like joint replacements. Among adults with doctor-diagnosed arthritis, approximately one third report having a work limitation attributed to arthritis. Self-management education programs that have been shown to reduce pain and disability are not geographically available to many people with arthritis who could benefit from them.

The Cost of Arthritis

Each year arthritis is estimated to cost $81 billion for medical costs and an additional $47 billion in lost wages (in 2003 dollars). Arthritis is responsible for 750,000 hospitalizations and 36 million outpatient visits every year. As the U.S. population ages, arthritis-related costs are likely to soar.

Arthritis Control: A Good Investment

Early diagnosis and appropriate management of arthritis can help people with arthritis function better, stay productive, and have lower health care costs.

One study estimated that implementing the Arthritis Self-Help Course among just 10,000 people with arthritis can result in a net savings of more than $2.5 million over 4 years.

Achieving a healthy weight lowers a person's risk for developing osteoarthritis in the knees, slows progression in people who already have the disease, and delays costly knee replacement surgery.

Moderate physical activity relieves arthritis pain and stiffness and can improve mental health.

Effective Strategies and Promising Approaches

The Arthritis Self-Help Course, developed at Stanford University, is a 6-week course that teaches people how to manage their arthritis and lessen its effects. In one study, arthritis pain declined by 20% and costly physician visits were reduced by 40% among people who completed the course. However, courses are not offered in all areas of the United States.
Making the Arthritis Self-Help Course and programs such as the Chronic Disease Self-Management Program, which addresses arthritis along with other chronic diseases, a routine part of health care for people with arthritis should help reduce arthritis-related pain and health care costs.

Tart cherry juice concentrate is becoming a natural arthritis cure for many. According to published research from Michigan State University, the Michigan grown, Montmorency tart cherry offers the same anti-inflammatory benefits of the over the counter (OTC) products. According to research, the Montmorency cherry juice offers anti-inflammatory compounds that could be 10 times for powerful than aspirin.
For many arthritis sufferers, the tart cherry is a natural arthritis cure and is rapidly becoming the first choice for pain suffers. You can get tart cherry juice concentrate from the Traverse Bay region of Michigan It takes 60 - 80 Montmorency tart cherries to make just one ounce of the Traverse Bay tart cherry juice concentrate. It is a supercharged way to get the natural arthritis remedy of tart cherries.

Increasing public awareness about the importance of early diagnosis should increase appropriate management for arthritis. Getting the message out about the benefits of healthy weight and moderate physical activity can help people with arthritis.

The author enjoys writing about the food and its amazing health benefits