Arthritis is a name for a group of conditions affecting the joints. These conditions cause damage to the joints, usually resulting in pain and stiffness.
The most common forms of arthritis are:
- Osteoarthritis
- Rheumatoid arthritis
- Gout
- Ankylosing spondylitis
Symptoms
Arthritis affects people in different ways but the most common symptoms are:
- Pain
- Stiffness or reduced movement of a joint
- Swelling in a joint
- Redness and warmth in a joint
- General symptoms, such as tiredness, weight loss or feeling unwell
What can I do?
The good news is that there are many simple things you can do to live well with arthritis:
- Find out what type of arthritis is affecting you and learn about your treatment options
- Stay active: keep your joints moving and your muscles strong
- Manage tiredness: learn to balance rest and your normal activities
- Keep to a healthy weight: there is no diet that can cure arthritis but a well-balanced diet is best for your general health
- Look after and protect your joints: find out about equipment and gadgets that can make tasks easier
- Acknowledge your feelings and seek support: as there is currently no cure for arthritis it is natural to feel scared, frustrated, sad and sometimes angry. Be aware of these feelings and get help if they start affecting your daily life
Reference
Arthritis Australia. (2017). Understanding Arthritis. https://arthritisaustralia.com.au/what-is-arthritis/understanding-arthritis/