Understanding Arthritis

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), it is estimated that more than 54 million adults have been diagnosed with arthritis in the United States. Although this condition affects almost a quarter of American adults, it isn’t a well-understood issue.

The health experts at Henry County Hospital are here to break down what arthritis is and how it can affect various areas of your health.

What is Arthritis?

Contrary to popular belief, arthritis is not a single condition. In fact, arthritis is a general term used for health conditions that affect your joints or the surrounding tissue. There are over 100 different types of arthritis.

Typically, arthritic conditions are characterized by inflammation, pain, and stiffness in the affected joint. Although it is important to note that these symptoms can range from being moderate to severe depending on your specific condition.

Risk Factors

Controllable Risk factors

There are many lifestyle choices that can increase your risk of developing an arthritic condition at some point in your life. These factors include but are not limited to:

These factors include:

• Being overweight or obese
• Certain infections
• Joint injuries and trauma
• Occupations that are harsh on your joints
• Smoking cigarettes

Fortunately, making healthy changes to your everyday life and utilizing safe practices can help to effectively minimize and even eliminate these risks.

Uncontrollable Risk Factors

There are also a set of factors that increase your risk of developing an arthritic condition that cannot be changed or minimized.

These factors include:

• Age
• Gender
• Family history

Primary and Specialty Care in Henry County

At Henry County Hospital, we’ve been providing compassionate healthcare since 1919. When it comes to primary and specialty care, each patient can expect individualized care that meets their needs. From education to emotional support, we focus on your individual health and wellness.