5 Surprising Things You Might Not Know About Arthritis

Arthritis is common enough that most adults have at least heard about at. Nearly all of us will experience some form of the condition at some point in our lives. And yet there is plenty the average person doesn’t know about it, leading to misinformation and confusion that could prevent an arthritis suffer from finding relief.

Do you or someone you know have arthritis? Regardless of your answer, here are five surprising things you might not know about one of the world’s most common medical conditions:

1. It Isn’t a Single Disease

Most people think of osteoarthritis when the topic of arthritis comes up. This is not random. According to Lone Star Pain Medicine, based in Weatherford, Texas, osteoarthritis is the most common form of the condition. It is a degenerative disease in which a combination of age and normal wear and tear leads to a loss of cartilage in the joints.

Osteoarthritis is primarily a mechanical problem. There are other forms of the disease that cause pain through non-mechanical means. For example, rheumatoid arthritis and psoriatic arthritis cause pain through inflammation. They have nothing to do with mechanical joint failure.

2. It is One of the Oldest Known Medical Conditions

Arthritis is among the oldest ailments known to man. For example, it has been documented in Egyptian mummies first put in the grave thousands of years ago. Although there is no definitive proof, some scientists speculate that arthritis even occurred back in the days of dinosaurs and prehistoric people.

Based solely on osteoarthritis alone, this makes sense. The bodies of both humans and animals break down over time. So it would make sense that nature has been dealing with osteoarthritis since the very beginning.

3. It Can Be Weather Sensitive

Some forms of arthritis are weather-sensitive. When an older person claims he can feel a coming storm in his bones, he might not be lying. Here is why: barometric pressure drops as a storm moves in. This translates into less atmospheric pressure on the human body. The sensitive tissues in the lining of an arthritic joint can expand as a result, increasing arthritis pain.

4. It Can Affect the Voice

Most people would be surprised to learn that arthritis can affect the voice. It can, thanks to the cricoarytenoid joint in the voice box. This joint can become inflamed, which is common for rheumatoid arthritis patients, resulting in hoarseness and a loss of voice. Patients with this condition often report feeling a continuous lump in the throat.

Anti-inflammatory medications can help relieve discomfort and restore vocal function. But for most people experiencing this particular symptom, maintaining vocal function is an ongoing battle.

5. Pain Meds and Surgery Aren’t the Only Option

Finally, pain medications and surgery are not the only treatment options. So many people think they are because that is all they hear about from their doctors. But get outside the environment of the GP’s office and a patient is likely to hear about alternative treatments.

For example, Lone Star Pain Medicine patients are often told about options like nerve blocks, PRP injections, prolotherapy, and radiofrequency ablation. Not every treatment offered by a pain medicine clinic is appropriate for arthritis. But those that are appropriate can be just as effective as traditional treatments, and often more so.

Arthritis is a complicated medical condition that most of us know very little about. If you are an arthritis sufferer, invest some time in educating yourself. The more you know about your condition, the more able you will be to make wise decisions regarding your treatment.

I'm a professional writer and author of many sites. I want to explore the world through my writing.