There are more than 100 kinds of arthritis, with many
different possible causes. In a 2009 CDC survey of 30,000 U.S. adults, 22%
reported having been diagnosed with some form of arthritis. The survey also
showed that arthritis was more common in overweight people. Eight percent
reported some sort of limitation in movement because of arthritis. In general,
arthritis usually involves pain, swelling, and stiffness in the joints. The
following guide is about the most common form of arthritis, osteoarthritis.
People with this type lose cartilage, the tissue that protects the joints. The
steps below will supplement the information from your doctor and help you manage
this challenging condition.
I. The Basics
Step 1: What is osteoarthritis?
Step 2: Symptoms
Step 3: Causes
Step 4: How osteoarthritis is diagnosed II. Treating Osteoarthritis
Step 5: Overview of arthritis treatment
Step 6: Heat and cold therapy
Step 7: Pain medication
Step 8: Other options
Step 9: Unproven remedies III. Managing Osteoarthritis
Step 10: Weight control and exercise
Step 11: Living with osteoarthritis