Only old people get arthritis, right?
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), in a little over 20 years, an estimated 78 million adults in the United States, ages 18 years or older, are expected to have arthritis. This means that roughly 26 percent of the population will have actually been diagnosed with what has become the most common chronic ailment among the elderly.
It is true that the risk of developing this potentially crippling condition increases with age, and seniors make up the largest group affected. However, the belief that only older people get arthritis is simply not true. It affects all age groups, including children and teens. For example, some 300,000 children have juvenile rheumatoid arthritis, which is one of the most common childhood illnesses.
That arthritis is a disease that only strikes the elderly is a fairly common myth, but it is, by no means, the only one.
Five of the Most Common Myths About Arthritis
- Only old people have arthritis – we have already explained why this one can be taken off the list.
- Certain vegetables aggravate arthritis pain – nightshade vegetables, like tomatoes, potatoes, eggplants and peppers, contain the chemical solanine, which has been reported to increase pain in people with arthritis. This has never been confirmed by research and, in fact, these vegetables contain essential nutrients. In 2011, an article in the Journal of Nutritionstated that yellow and purple potatoes may actually reduce inflammation.
- Cracking your knuckles causes arthritis – we have all heard this one since childhood. That cringe-worthy pop heard when people crack their knuckles is caused by a build-up of nitrogen gas being released. There may well be damage being done to ligaments around the joint, but there is no evidence that this action increases the onset of arthritis.
- If you have arthritis, you should avoid exercising – just the opposite is, in fact, true. Exercising helps improve your health and fitness levels and does not have to hurt your joints. For those with arthritis, exercise is crucial to increase strength, improve flexibility, reduce joint pain and battle fatigue.
- Supplements, like Glucosamine, will rebuild joints – although Glucosamine is a naturally occurring compound found in your joints and the cartilage around them, there is no research to back up that it does what some claim, which is restore or rebuild the joint. That said, many people religiously take this popular supplement every day and firmly believe that it does provide relieve from the pain associated with their arthritis. Pharmaceutical grade Glucosamine prescribed and monitored by orthopedic specialists can be a very beneficial part of treatment.
Arthritis is an equal-opportunity disease currently affecting more than 50 million people in the U.S. It strikes men, women and children of all ages and races and is currently the leading cause of disability. There is no cure for arthritis, but it can be treated. In order to do that, it is important to be able to discern fact from fiction. Just because you have always heard something and assumed it to be correct does not make it so.
If you have been diagnosed with arthritis or are experiencing joint pain or stiffness, the physicians and staff of Orthopaedic & Sports Associates of Long Island are committed to providing personalized care and treatment in a state-of-the-art facility. To schedule an appointment, or if you just have questions, please call (516) 364-0070. Our convenient online contact form is also available by clicking here.
