Are you experiencing stiff joints? Most people as they grow older usually have "creaky joints" from time to time. Is arthritis a disease affecting only the older population?

Arthritis is a medical term which refers to more than 100 diseases that inflame the joints, making painful movements.

Generally, people would assume that arthritis is a disease affecting only the older sector of our society. This is usually not so. Although studies indicate that most people affected by arthritis are senior citizens, there are also many young adults who develop the disease due to wear and tear or from related medical conditions. There are also instances when children develop a certain type of arthritis called Juvenile Rheumatoid Arthritis. This is an inflammatory joint disease that usually subsides as the person reaches adulthood. Another form of arthritis called Rheumatoid Arthritis affects both young and old. This is a chronic disease affecting many parts of the body. Swelling, pain and stiffness occur when the body's immune system attacks the joint surfaces. Rheumatoid arthritis usually affects the small joints in the hands, wrists, feet and ankles. Osteoarthritis on the other hand is the most common form of arthritis. This is a result of the continued wearing away of the cartilage that cushions the ends of the bones. Osteoarthritis can sometimes affect younger patients because of injury or overuse although this type of arthritis mostly afflicts elderly people. This usually affects the weight bearing joints like the knees, hips and spine. Although there are no definite reasons why some people get arthritis and others don't, some factors like heredity, defective joints and injury are believed to play important roles.

Arthritis cannot be prevented but we can stay physically active, follow our doctor's advice and make efforts to protect our joints from injury. These can help us minimize the symptoms.

You may already have arthritis if you experience the following symptoms:

1. Swelling in one or more joints.
2. If you experience stiffness especially in the morning.
3. There is tenderness and recurring pain in a joint.
4. If you are unable to normally move a joint.
5. If you feel redness or warmth in a joint.
6. If you are experiencing unexplained weight loss accompanied by fever and weakness accentuated by joint pains.

If you are suffering from arthritis, there are gadgets and devices that will help you take extra good care of your joints and protect them. With these you can still stay active and do your daily work with more ease.

You can use a cane. This can provide the assistance needed to help reduce the amount of pressure walking puts on your hip joint. Walkers, splints, shoe cushioned pads, mobile shower heads, and wall mounted jar openers are just some of the many devices that will help a person with arthritis live more normally and go about their daily activities more easily.

Therefore, arthritis doesn't only affect the older population. This is a disease that affects any age, both young and old. Although older people, athletes and people working repetitive jobs all day long are very vulnerable and are at higher risk of developing the disease.