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Arthritis

Arthritis
The Center of Disease Control states that arthritis is the leading cause of disability in the United States. The National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases state that more than twenty million people in the United States have arthritis and by the year 2030 twenty percent of the United States population will be at risk for a certain type of arthritis called osteoarthritis after passing the age of sixty-five. Obviously arthritis is a common and prevalent disease seen amongst the United States population, especially amongst the middle-aged and older population.  
In general, arthritis is a condition where there is inflammation of one more joints. This results in joint pain and swelling, stiffness, warmth around the joint, redness of skin around the joint, and reduced mobility of the joint. Overall there are over one hundred types of arthritis but the three basic types of arthritis are osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, and traumatic arthritis. The causes of arthritis are dependent upon the type of arthritis a person has. A person can have arthritis if they have been injured or if they have an abnormal metabolism, inheritance of the condition, or infections.
Osteoarthritis, which affects over twenty million people, is the most common form of arthritis effecting the middle-aged and older population. There is a possibility for younger adults to have osteoarthritis but it occurs from injuries during sports or accidents. Osteoarthritis, which is also known as degenerative arthritis, is caused by the breakdown of the cartilage between the bones of joints. The most commonly affected areas are the hands, feet, spine, and joints that carry a large amount of weight such as the hips and knees. There is primary and secondary arthritis. Primary arthritis is basically related to the aging process in which the cartilage degenerates caused by years and years of use of the joints. Overtime the joints get irritated and inflamed causing...