Quick Reads
1-2 minute quick reads for healthier living!
May is National Arthritis Month - Addressing the Myths About Arthritis
Arthritis is a serious problem that affects a significant proportion of people in our country. There are a number of misconceptions that are repeated by patients who first come to my office.
Only old people get arthritis – FALSE.
I am afraid that we have to tell the 300,000 children that have arthritis that they should not be having this problem. Yes, kids get arthritis. They can become disabled. Many of them do not have access to pediatricians that deal with childhood arthritis. Pediatric rheumatologists are hard to come by. There are some states that do not have a pediatric arthritis specialist. Parents need to drive hours to get care for their child. We need more pediatric rheumatologists.
Once you have arthritis, you can never get rid of it – FALSE.
A prime example of a form of arthritis that is curable with therapy is Lyme Disease. This infectious form of arthritis is caused by an organism that is transferred during the bite of a specific tick. After about 24 hours, the organism makes its way into the bloodstream. It travels around the body and lands in a joint, usually a knee that becomes its home. The infection causes heat and swelling in the joint. The infection is treatable with a course of antibiotics that kills the organism. I have “cured” many patients with this therapy. Their joints have been preserved.
There is only 1 type of arthritis – FALSE.
There are over 100 different forms of arthritis. Many of these types are associated with infections. Others are related to abnormal stresses placed on joints. They wear out. This is osteoarthritis. Other types are caused by our immune system turning on us. Our own body tries to destroy our joints. Rheumatoid arthritis is an example of this form of autoimmune disease. Another famous type is gout. Gout occurs when a byproduct of protein breakdown accumulates in our joints. Uric acid is the culprit. Luckily we have therapies that control these illnesses. Seeing a rheumatologist is a great way of confirming the type of arthritis you have and getting the best treatment for your problem.
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