Arthritis is a medical condition that leads to inflammation and pain in one or more joints. The ailment reduces body movement due to the severe pain caused when there’s friction between the bones connected by the affected joint. A vast majority of the population suffers from this disease, which underlines the importance of having complete knowledge about it. On that note, here are seven interesting facts to get you started:

Arthritis affects everyone, not just the elderly
While older people are more susceptible to developing arthritis, children, youngsters, and adults aren’t exactly immune to the disease. As of March 2019, close to 300,000 children were diagnosed with some form of arthritis, and conservative estimates predicted the number to increase in every age group by 2040.

There are over 100 types of arthritis
Unlike most diseases, arthritis doesn’t have a fixed form and can develop in different ways. Some types of arthritis are more common than others, with rheumatoid arthritis, osteoarthritis, and gout being among the commonly diagnosed forms. Juvenile rheumatoid arthritis, psoriatic arthritis, and seronegative arthritis are the other commonly occurring forms of arthritis.

Climate doesn’t affect arthritis
It has often been claimed that warm weather conditions reduce arthritis pain and the inflammation associated with the condition. While studies have shown a relationship between barometric pressure and arthritis to support the claim, the evidence isn’t conclusive.

More women suffer from arthritis than men
Compared to their male counterparts, women are much more likely to develop arthritis after turning 55. Obesity is a leading reason for this, with the condition being more common among older women than men. Excessive weight strains the joints, resulting in wear and tear and leading to arthritis eventually.

Poor dietary habits don’t cause arthritis
Contrary to popular belief, a balanced and healthy diet doesn’t prevent arthritis. While consuming nutritious food is important for maintaining overall health, there is no scientific relation between arthritis and specific foods helping to prevent it. That being said, maintaining a healthy weight is definitely important and can help reduce the risk of arthritis.

There is no cure for arthritis
Although medical science has developed a lot in the last few decades, a cure for arthritis hasn’t been discovered yet. While there are numerous treatments for various forms of the condition, they only aim to relieve inflammation and alleviate pain; they cannot get rid of the ailment in its entirety.

Early diagnosis and a healthy lifestyle help manage arthritis
Although the condition cannot be permanently cured, early diagnosis and timely treatment can help relieve pain and lower the possibilities of joint damage or disability. Regular exercise of the muscles around the affected joint improves strength and flexibility, while consuming foods rich in omega-3 fatty acids soothes inflammation.