May is National Arthritis Awareness Month, and here at CAM Physical Therapy and Wellness Services, we’re doing our part to spread the word about the prevention and treatment of an extremely common condition and overall joint health. The goal of the month is to educate Americans on the dangers of arthritis and encourage them to get more active, while also hosting efforts to raise funds for arthritis research and support.

Arthritis is not actually a single disease, but an umbrella term used to describe over 100 medical conditions, which are known as rheumatoid diseases. In a general sense, arthritis is defined as inflammation of the joints in one or more areas of the body, which affects the mobility of joints and often causes pain and disability.

The three main types of arthritis are osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis and juvenile arthritis, each of which has its own cause and set of symptoms. Osteoarthritis is the most common type, and it’s a degenerative disorder that causes the breakdown of protective cartilage in joints. Rheumatoid arthritis is an autoimmune disease that causes inflammation of the joints along with possible joint and bone damage, while juvenile arthritis includes many autoimmune and inflammatory conditions that affect children under the age of 17.

Though each type of arthritis comes with a specific set of symptoms, those that are most commonly experienced are joint pain and stiffness, especially in the morning, as well as swelling. People with arthritis may also experience a decrease in range of motion of the affected joint(s) or redness on the skin surrounding that area.

Alarmingly, more than 50 million Americans currently have some type of arthritis, which means approximately one in six people has it. Arthritis is most common in adults over the age of 65, but as the case can be with juvenile arthritis, anyone of any age can develop arthritis, even children and adolescents. Women have been found to be more likely to develop arthritis, and people who are overweight are at a higher chance for getting osteoarthritis, as the excess weight puts more pressure on vulnerable joints.

If you’ve been experiencing joint pain or other symptoms of arthritis that have been ongoing for a while, you should see your doctor or a physical therapist for an evaluation. The diagnosis will include a physical exam to check the mobility of affected joints, and imaging scans like MRIs and CT scans may also be used. Treatment varies depending on the type of arthritis diagnosed, but may include a combination of medications, lifestyle modifications and physical therapy, which has been found to be effective for a number of different types of arthritis. Maintaining a healthy weight and getting regular exercise are also extremely important for managing osteoarthritis, and can even help prevent it.

At CAM Physical Therapy and Wellness Services in Bowie, Glenn Dale, Laurel, Hyattsville and Parkville, MD, we want you to be aware of the risks for arthritis and to do your part to take steps to prevent it whenever possible. For more information on arthritis prevention or to schedule an appointment, call us at 301-853-0093.