subject: Chiropractor Minneapolis Mn | Serious Questions And Answers About Arthritis [print this page] Over 40 million men and women in the United States suffer from arthritis. Combined with the estimated world wide total, that's nearly 400 million people who suffer from some form of arthritis. Seemingly it appears to be growing at epidemic proportions, causing people to ask, "Will I one day suffer from arthritis?"
Are Some People more Prone to Arthritis than Others? -
There are 7 main forms of arthritis; osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, septic arthritis, gout, juvenile idiopathic arthritis, Still's disease, and ankylosing spondylitis.
Osteoarthritis is when the joints go through a degradation process. People who develop this condition more than likely could have started going through the process as early as childhood. In their family line they may have several family members who have developed this same condition which is why some medical scientists believe that heredity plays a big role.
However, osteoarthritis can be developed by persons who have suffered a serious bone or joint injury from a car accident. When a car wreck leads to a broken leg or arm, if osteoarthritis is going to set in, it will usually do so in that affected body member. Since it is a process, it may be years before the victim knows if this will be the outcome.
Another at risk group consists of those that suffer from obesity. With small cartilage supporting up to hundreds of pounds for years, it's easy for the durability to break down between joints. Usually it's the knee joints and hips that become most damaged when osteoarthritis is developed in an overweight adult.
Does all Arthritis Lead to Some Form of Disability -
Arthritis is continuously being researched for more information on how to improve and maintain the healthy function of joints after its diagnosis.
Unlike other medical conditions, it has so far been categorized as more painful before rendering one completely disabled.
Most adults seek medical attention after the condition has set in and has had time to progress.
Statistics show that because so many Americans don't seek intervention early on, employers are seeing an increasing amount of days missed from work, and possibly complete inability to work due to arthritis.
While disability is not the ultimate outcome of the diagnosis, it is a common result when proper treatment is delayed.
Who do You Turn to When You Suspect that You Have Arthritis? -
There are warning signs of developing arthritis:
#1 Pain
#2 Swelling
#3 Joint stiffness, and
#4 Constant discomfort around the joint area
These symptoms are easy to overlook, and can be explained by various causes. However, it is when one or more of these symptoms exist at once that you should seek medical assistance to see if you are in the early stages of arthritis.
A good outlet to turn to is your local health chiropractic office - on a daily basis they see patients just like you who may want to make sure they are not at risk for a certain condition.
After a thorough examination, which includes X-rays and an in depth look at your medical history, these medical chiropractors can tell you accurately if you are at risk for arthritis and how to prevent further joint damage.
Since health chiropractors succeed only when each patient's life is made better, they will follow through with routine treatments and suggestions to make sure arthritis doesn't interfere with the quality of your life.
