Arthritis is the most common cause of disability in the United States. It is a leading cause of work disability, affecting 8 million working-age adults, and it limits the activities of nearly 24 million adults in all. In Montgomery County, Maryland, 6.7% of Asian Americans have a disability and over 30% of Asian Americans over the age of 65 have a disability. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) Arthritis Program is currently working to improve the quality of life for people affected by arthritis by raising awareness about the disease and showing what they can do to manage it themselves.
Arthritis types include osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, gout, systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE or lupus), fibromyalgia, and childhood arthritis. The number of adults with doctor‐diagnosed arthritis is projected to increase from over 54 million now to 78 million by 2040 and more than one‐third of these adults will have limited activity as a result.
Can I prevent arthritis?
Maintaining an appropriate body weight has been shown to decrease the risk of developing osteoarthritis and gout. Protecting your joints from injuries or overuse can reduce the risk of osteoarthritis.
Certain arthritis risk factors cannot be controlled such as:
Age: Chances of developing arthritis increase with age.
Gender: nearly 60% of people with arthritis are women. Gout is more common in men.
Genetics: Specific genes are associated with a higher risk of certain types of arthritis.
What should I do if I think I have arthritis?
For people who suspect they may have a form of arthritis, it is helpful to see a doctor to find out what type of arthritis it is. Although there is no cure for most types of arthritis, early diagnosis and appropriate management are important, especially for inflammatory types of arthritis. The sooner you know about your disease the sooner you can begin to make lifestyle changes that will make managing your disease easier.
What can I do on my own to help my arthritis?
The goal of managing arthritis is to control pain, minimize joint damage, and improve or maintain function and quality of life. Engaging in physical activity or participating in self- management education to learn techniques to reduce pain, move more easily, and use medicines appropriately are proven ways to help you improve your quality of life.
Many people with arthritis also have other chronic illnesses such as diabetes, high blood pressure, and heart disease, for which physical activity and maintaining a healthy weight are also recommended. It is especially important that people with arthritis include the recommended amounts of physical activity as a part of their lifestyle. Physical activity is one major, non‐ pharmacological way to effectively reduce arthritis symptoms such as pain, fatigue, and stiffness. People with arthritis may also experience anxiety and depression symptoms, so it is important to talk to your doctor about mental health too.
Self‐management activities:
Learn arthritis management strategies
Be active
Watch your weight
See your doctor
Protect your joints
If you are interested in learning more about specific programs that the CDC has found to be effective in helping people with arthritis, visit https://www.cdc.gov/arthritis/interventions/index.htm. (Original article provided by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention)
The Asian American Health Initiative, a part of the Montgomery County Department of Health and Human Services (MCDHHS), encourages you to visit Montgomery County’s Senior Site https://www.montgomerycountymd.gov/senior/ to find programs and services for older adults in the county, such as health services, recreation programs, and caregiving support. You can also, call 240-777-3000 for information and resources for seniors and/or people with disabilities. If you are a Montgomery County resident, with limited-income, and uninsured, you can access primary and preventative health care services from Montgomery Cares Clinics by calling MC311 (240-777-0311).
