Arthritis by the Numbers

Arthritis impacts millions of people every day. Likely, someone you know is impacted by arthritis. May is Arthritis Awareness Month. Join us as we recognize the prevalence of arthritis in the US and how ACG can help those who have arthritis manage their daily lives with less pain.

What is Arthritis?

In a broad definition, arthritis is inflammation and stiffness of the joints. However, there are over 100 different kinds of arthritis. It can be extremely painful and debilitating to everyday life. The most common types of arthritis are: rheumatoid arthritis, fibromyalgia, gout and osteoarthritis. It is the leading cause of disability in the nation.

Who does arthritis impact?

It is commonly misunderstood that arthritis mainly impacts the aging. However, ⅔ of arthritis sufferers are under the age of 65. It is more common in women than in men but is especially prevalent in obese persons.

Children

In 2018, juvenile arthritis has been diagnosed in more than 300,000 children. Many do not expect a child to have arthritis, so they dismiss the symptoms. It often manifests as swollen joints, a fever or even a rash.

Young Adults

Often, young people may be impacted by arthritis because of an autoimmune problem. Specifically, rheumatoid arthritis can impact 1 in 714 women and 1 in 2,778 men. This is often a hereditary condition, but it can also be brought on by smoking cigarettes.

Adults

The most common form of arthritis in this age bracket is osteoarthritis. As of 2015, 54.4 million adults have been diagnosed with some form of arthritis. However, those who are physically active have a significantly lower risk of developing arthritis, according to the CDC.

Older Adults

Many of those over 65 suffer from some form of arthritis. It can impact any part of the body, at any time and for any duration. Gout is commonly found in those within this age group. If you find yourself or a loved one suffering from joint pain for more than two weeks, it’s time to see a doctor.

How can we help?

Although some over-the-counter pain relievers can help alleviate pain, there are some items that can help you with your daily activities to lessen or prevent further pain.

Braces: We have items like gloves and joint braces. These help reduce swelling as well as provide a calming heat to the area because of the specialized material. It’s more than a brace to hold your joints in place, it soothes the muscles, aids in circulation and improves joint mobility.

Eating Utensils: These tools will help you feed yourself. It makes holding silverware comfortable because of its ability to bend at any angle.

Hand Therapy Equipment: These exercise balls are helpful in both strengthening and therapy due to their variety of stress levels and the ability to be heated or chilled.

It is predicted that in the next 20 years, nearly 80 million people will be diagnosed with arthritis. There is no better time than now to spread awareness! If you currently suffer from arthritis, check out these helpful products or contact us with any questions to see what will best fit your needs.