World Arthritis Day 2020: Everything you need to know

October 12 is observed as World Arthritis Day. Arthritis is inflammation of the joints which affects movement.

It is not a single disease but a collection of more than 100 different conditions that affect the joints, tissues around joints and other connective tissues. The conditions are usually associated with joint stiffness, pain and inflammation and are more commonly seen in adults.

Arthritis is of two types, one is osteoarthritis that results from the breakdown of the cartilage and the other is rheumatoid arthritis which is caused by weak immunity.

Osteoarthritis affects older adults particularly. While rheumatoid arthritis can occur at any age, it mostly begins to affect people when they are between 30-50 years of age.

Another form of rheumatoid arthritis is Juvenile Rheumatoid Arthritis, it affects the young population usually between 12-18 years of age,

Depending on the type of arthritis you have, symptoms may include pain, stiffness, swelling, redness and decreased range of motion.

Treatment for arthritis aims to control pain, minimize joint damage, and improve or maintain function and quality of life. It is advisable to follow simple measures to prevent the disease process from advancing and thus interfering with our lives. Eat sensibly, control your weight, and exercise regularly