Discover How Arthritis Statistics Affect You

According to the U.S. Government survey on arthritis statistics, one out of every four adults in America will have arthritis by 2030. Right now there are 46 million people that suffer from the disease and because our population is constantly aging, this is why there will be 67 million affected twenty one years from now.

These are quite shocking statistics but it goes further…

According to the Arthritis Foundation in 2007:

2/3rd of people who have been diagnosed with the disease are under 65.
As long ago as 2003 9,500 Americans DIED because of arthritis.
People with rheumatoid arthritis (also referred to as rheumatism) die up to 10 years earlier than those who do not have the disease.
Almost 19 million Americans have to stop working within 10 years of being diagnosed.
A shocking 294,000 children have been diagnosed with juvenile arthritis.
The cost of all this is $128 billion per year.

So what can we do if we are diagnosed with arthritis?

I think first of all, don’t panic. Although arthritis cannot be cured at this time, there are many, many ways to alleviate pain and muscle swelling. You doctor can advise you which medication is best for you.  Unfortunately almost all drugs have side effect, especially if they are used consistently over a long period of time. In fact, many doctors then prescribe another drug to help with the side effects of the arthritis drugs. Non steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, known as NSAIDs are most commonly prescribed.

However, there are also many natural remedies that can help and in fact many people turn to these. Glucosamine and MSN supplements are readily available and help to rebuild the worn-down cartilage. Remedies like honey and apple cider vinegar help with pain relief. A visit to your local health food store can be quite an eye opener as to what products there are for this condition.

Diet is also a consideration as many foods tend to trigger arthritis pain, such as tomatoes. Acid forming drinks like coffee and sodas should be avoided. You can find out more by doing research online.

If you are overweight, this can cause extra complications as the extra weight can negatively affect your joints and bodily movement in general. If you lose pounds, you help alleviate arthritis pain as well as the condition generally. This is even more important as exercise can be daunting when you have arthritis because it’s hard to do as your joints are compromised. Therefore walking, climbing stairs, stooping or bending are often difficult.

In fact, arthritis is the number one cause of disability, so it’s important to do what you can to help move those joints in a gentle way.

Although these arthritis statistics are horrifying, the truth is that much can be done to help people who have been diagnosed with the disease.