Arthritis is one of the most common medical problems in the world. It's the number one cause of disability in America. Nearly 40 million Americans have some form of arthritis. So if you have arthritis, you're not alone. Although a cure has yet to be found, effective treatments and other strategies are readily available.
Arthritis is also one of the most ancient health problems. Early caveman suffered from it, and so did dinosaurs! Fossilized bones of dinosaurs and other great reptiles of 200,000,000 years show that they had arthritis.
Arthritis strikes people of all ages, of both sexes, across geographical locations and ethnic backgrounds. Women are at special risk, accounting for almost two-thirds of people with arthritis. The exact numberse1ay vary between different geographical areas, and it may be difficult to cite statistics for each, but if we consider America as a pointer, one person in seven, or nearly 40 million Americans, has some form of arthritis. With life expectancy on the rise, the number of people with this potentially disabling condition is expected to go up still higher. By 2020, an esti¬mated 60 million people in America will have arthritis.
Arthritis is a major cause of disability. On the present estimate, the costs for medical care and lost productivity in America alone amount to $65 billion annually.
People who have arthritis are more prone to sprains and strains of tendons and ligaments, so it’s important to be aware of this risk and to modify and even eliminate physical activities that place you at risk. Swimming, for example, is an excellent alternative to a sport such as soccer or touch football.
