According to data, around 58.5 million adult Americans have arthritis. This condition typically involves joint pain, swelling, and discomfort. Although the symptoms often come and go, they can be very unpleasant. In the long term, arthritis can lead to chronic pain in the extremities, deformities, and even disability.
Read on to learn about the number one cause of this condition.
Osteoarthritis
Before we reveal the most common cause, it’s essential to mention there are various types of arthritis. The most common one is osteoarthritis, also called wear-and-tear arthritis, and it affects hips, knees, and hands.
With osteoarthritis, the cartilage breaks down, thus affecting the underlying bone. These changes are slow, and they gradually become worse. The most common symptoms are joint pain, swelling, and stiffness. In time, the symptoms can become so intense that a person experiences limited mobility and can’t perform daily tasks.
What Is the Most Common Cause?
Numerous factors can contribute to osteoarthritis, like joint injury, gender, obesity, and genetics. However, the most common cause of osteoarthritis is age.
Namely, the risk of developing osteoarthritis increases as we age. People usually experience the first symptoms between the ages of 40 and 50.
Take Care of Yourself
While we can’t control our age, there are numerous actions we can take to decrease the chances of getting arthritis and manage the symptoms. It’s advisable to maintain a healthy weight and be physically active. If you work out often, don’t forget to warm up and cool down before and after your exercises. That way, you’ll protect your joints.
