Myths and Misconceptions about Arthritis

Arthritis is a medical condition that affects millions of Americans and many more people worldwide, and yet a number of people still cannot separate the myths and misconceptions from the truths about arthritis. If you or someone you know suffers from arthritis, do everyone a favor and learn to separate the facts from the fiction. Arthritis is a varied disease, with over 100 different types of disorders, but with a little research, you can learn what is true about arthritis and what is simply folklore.

Arthritis, most importantly, is not simply a minor inconvenience, like many people believe. Although it may not affect everyone with the same intensity, arthritis can be potentially life changing and cause severe pain. It can also ultimately cause death. Some of the more severe forms of arthritis cause people to be confined to a wheelchair, result in vision and hearing loss, or other difficult disabilities.

It is also a common myth that arthritis affects only older people. This is entirely untrue. In fact, one of the more common forms of arthritis is, unfortunately, juvenile arthritis, which starts between the ages of six months and 16 years. Anyone of any age can experience pain in the joints and other types of arthritic symptoms. Arthritis also affects both genders and all races and ethnicities, although some types of arthritis are more or less common for certain groups of people. Arthritis is a disease that many associate with cold and wet. This also is largely untrue, or there would be no one with arthritis living in Los Angeles. It is proven that you have a better chance of relief from arthritic symptoms if you live in a sunny climate that is less humid, and heat has been proven to help with pain caused by swelling and redness in the joints, but nothing indicates that cold weather itself causes arthritis to start.

Sadly, the last arthritis misconception that is common among Americans is that the condition can be cured. Although science is taking leaps and bounds in joint pain research, arthritis and the many diseases and illness caused by it or associated with it are incurable, so those who are diagnosed with arthritis will more than likely need to deal with the condition for the rest of their lives. The symptoms can be treated, but they very rarely ever go away. Arthritis is a much more serious condition than many realize, and by busting these myths you can create a better understanding between those who do and do not have this disease.