Home Arthriving IdeasArthritis Awareness in the Month of May
Arthritis Awareness in the Month of May
May 22, 2012
May is Arthritis Awareness Month, and while there are over 100 types of arthritis, the most common type is osteoarthritis, also known as OA. It is typically referred to as just "arthritis."
So, how can you spread awareness about osteoarthritis during the month of May?
First, you should be able to describe the condition. Osteoarthritis is a form of â€œwear-and-tearâ€â€”or degenerativeâ€”arthritis and describes the wearing down of the protective cartilage on the ends of your bones over time. OA can damage any joint in the body and commonly affects the hands, knees, hips, neck, and back.
You should also be aware of some of the arthritis â€œmythsâ€ out there. First, some people think osteoarthritis is inevitable with age. Itâ€™s not. And while many arthritis patients swear by their ability to â€œpredict the weather,â€ thereâ€™s no scientific evidence to back this up. The ability levels of people with arthritis are varying. Whereas one person may be debilitated by arthritis, another may be able to run a marathonâ€”but we can all make adaptations to make others more aware of the condition and its effects.
What else can you share about arthritis?
Osteoarthritis is what most folks think of when they hear the word â€œarthritis.â€ It should not be confused with other kinds of arthritis, such as rheumatoid arthritis or psoriatic arthritis. These conditions and their treatments are very different, although sometimes a person can have more than one type of arthritis.
Osteoarthritis most commonly affects athletes and older people. A very common condition, it affects 1 in 5 Americans and 50% of people over the age of 65. In fact, 1 in 2 people may develop osteoarthritis of the knee by age 85. Obesity and other lifestyle factors can increase your risk for arthritis.
In the spirit of Arthritis Awareness Month, you should also use this time of year to inform those around you about your condition. You never know when you may need help with something like renovating your kitchen, moving into a new home, planting your garden, or walking your dog.
You can also take advantage of Arthritis Awareness Month to educate yourself even more about the condition and maybe even become an arthritis advocate. You could start tracking symptoms or begin a new arthritis exercise program. Now would be a good time to set new health goals for yourself in addition to educating your family and friends about the condition.
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