By Tim Wholf

Arthritis is a disease that impacts nearly 60 million Americans, making it the number one cause of disability in the country. That means one in every four adults, 300,000 children and countless families are affected by arthritis.

Arthritis by the numbers:

• Nearly 59 million adults have doctor-diagnosed arthritis; that number is expected to grow to 67 million by 2030.
• People with osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis – two major kinds of arthritis – miss a combined 172 million workdays every year.
• Arthritis and related conditions account for more than $156 billion annually in lost wages and medical expenses.
• There are nearly 1 million hospitalizations each year due to arthritis.
• 57% of adults with heart disease have arthritis.
• 52% of adults with diabetes have arthritis.
• 44% of adults with high blood pressure have arthritis.
• 36% of adults who are obese have arthritis.
• One-third of adults with arthritis age 45 and older have either anxiety or depression.

Arthritis isn’t a single disease; the term refers to joint pain or joint disease, and there are more than 100 types of arthritis and related conditions. It’s most common among women, and although it’s not a disease of aging, some types of arthritis occur in older people more than younger people.

Common arthritis symptoms include swelling, pain, stiffness and diminished range of motion in joints. Symptoms vary from mild to severe and may come and go. Some may stay the same for years, but symptoms can also progress and get worse over time. Severe arthritis can result in chronic pain, difficulty performing daily activities and make walking and climbing stairs painful and grueling.

Arthritis can also cause permanent joint changes.

These may be visible, such as knobby finger joints, but often the damage can be seen only on x-rays. Some types of arthritis affect the heart, eyes, lungs, kidneys and skin.

Osteoarthritis is the most common type of arthritis. It is often called degenerative joint disease or “wear and tear” arthritis. With OA, the cartilage within a joint begins to break down and the underlying bone begins to change.

Rheumatoid arthritis is the most common form of autoimmune inflammatory arthritis. An autoimmune disorder, RA occurs when the immune system mistakenly attacks one’s own body’s tissues. RA affects the lining of one’s joints, causing a painful swelling that can eventually result in bone erosion and joint deformity.

What can you do?

The first step is to get an accurate diagnosis of what’s causing the joint pain. Talking to a primary care doctor about the symptoms may lead to a referral to a rheumatologist or orthopedist, doctors who specialize in arthritis and other musculoskeletal conditions. Many things can be done to preserve joint function, mobility, and quality of life. Learning about the disease and treatment options, making time for physical activity, and maintaining a healthy weight are essential.

The Johnson County Department of Aging and Human Services provides the following programs to help with arthritis management.

The Chronic Diseases Self-Management Program is an effective self-management education workshop for people with chronic health problems including arthritis, diabetes, lung and heart disease.

Walk With Ease is an evidenced-based program developed by the Arthritis Foundation that was designed to encourage people with and without arthritis to get started walking and stay motivated to keep active.

For information about these programs, contact the Area Agency on Aging at 913-715-8861.

Tim Wholf is director of the Johnson County Department of Aging and Human Services.