Article By: Elizabeth Rogers

Misunderstandings can get in the way. We debunk some common myths and misconceptions about arthritis.

Arthritis: we think we know what it’s all about, but the misconceptions surrounding this common condition can have a serious impact. They might stop us from getting the right kind of treatment to manage our symptoms, or send us to the drug store instead of the doctor. Worse yet, many people don’t understand what people with arthritis go through, and how the disease affects their daily activities, family, careers and social life.

It’s more than just “aches and pains”. Here are some top myths that experts warn we should avoid.

Myth 1: It’s not a serious health concern

Cancer and heart disease sound scary and get a lot of attention, but arthritis is just as common and as costly. According to statistics published in Arthroscope: Revealing the impact of arthritis (a report from the Arthritis Society), it’s one of Canada’s top three chronic conditions. Arthritis affects more than 4 million Canadians — about 20 per cent of women and 11 per cent of men.

That number continues to rise, thanks in part to an aging population. Experts warn that every ten years we can expect to see another one million people added to that total (that’s another 275 people each day). By 2026, more than one in five Canadians (about 6.3 million people) will have been diagnosed with the condition.

We also feel the effects in dollars too. Arthritis costs our economy more than $4 billion a year in health care expenses, lost productivity and long-term disability payments. (Not to mention the personal costs like home modifications and lost wages.) After cardiovascular disease, muscoloskeletal diseases are the second most expensive disease category in Canada. They’re more costly than cancer.

And while arthritis usually isn’t fatal, some types can kill or shorten life expectancy. According to Statistics Canada, just over two deaths per 100,000 people each year are caused by arthritis or a related condition. That number may not sound like much, but that’s more deaths than are caused by asthma or HIV.

Myth 2: It’s just part of the aging process

Like many health conditions, the incidence of arthritis increases with age. Statistics show that people over the age of 55 are four times more likely to have arthritis than younger people. By age 80, more than half of all women and about 40 per cent of men are living with the condition.

However, arthritis isn’t an “old person’s disease”. It can strike at any age — even infants. In fact, 1 in 1000 children and teenagers under the age of 16 have been diagnosed with arthritis, and an estimated 200,000 Canadians between the ages of 25-40 live with it too.

Worse yet, studies show that people under the age of 45 are less likely to receive the help and medical attention they need to properly manage their condition.

Myth 3: All arthritis is alike

Arthritis isn’t a single condition: it’s actually an umbrella term referring to more than 100 related diseases involving joint and muscoskeletal pain. Some of the names are well-known — like fibromyalgia, gout and osteoarthritis — while others are less familiar, like Ehlers-Danlos syndrome or ankylosing spondylitis. They can affect only certain joints or tissues, or even the whole body — like systemic lupus.

Different types also have different causes. The most common form is osteoarthritis, where the deterioration of cartilage causes pain and joint damage — often in the hands, feet, knees and hips. Some types of arthritis, like rheumatoid arthritis and lupus, are autoimmune disorders where the body attacks its own healthy tissues. Related conditions like carpal tunnel syndrome can be caused by the stress of repetitive motion.

Myth 4: It only affects the joints

It’s easy to spot red, swollen joints, but many forms of arthritis are more subtle than that. Depending on the type, other body parts are targets too — like muscles, tendons, connective tissue, ligaments, bones and bursa (the fluid-filled sacs around joints). Systemic conditions like lupus can even affect the body’s vital organs.

Pain and inflammation aren’t the only symptoms either. Arthritis can also cause depression, anger, disrupted sleep, fever, unexplained weight loss, weakness and fatigue — not to mention the psychological stress of living with chronic pain. People who have arthritis may “look fine”, but these issues also have a serious impact on quality of life.

Myth 5: Arthritis can be cured

Barring infectious arthritis (the kind caused by a bacteria, virus or fungus), there isn’t a cure for arthritis. It is possible for some forms to go into periods of remission where symptoms subside, sometimes for several years, but it doesn’t really go away.

What about special foods or diets? Approach with caution. Experts warn that there is no clinically-proven single food, supplement or miracle diet that can cure arthritis. There is too little clinic research and too many variables to provide indisputable proof. (For instance, undiagnosed food allergies or intolerances could be causing symptoms, and “successes” could simply be periods of remission.) The Arthritis Society recommends a healthy, balanced diet with the usual suspects — plenty of fruits and vegetables, whole grains, lean meats, etc. (For more information, see Can food fight inflammation?)

Myth 6: Exercise makes it worse

Gone are the days where staying in bed and resting was thought to be the best treatment. Exercise is now recognized as an essential part of a pain management strategy — not to mention its role in a healthy lifestyle. We know that exercise, healthy eating and maintaining a healthy weight are all interconnected, and being overweight puts excess strain on the joints.

Besides, exercise is important to maintain strength, balance and range of motion. Some activities like jogging or high-impact aerobics might be given a pass in favour of joint-friendly water aerobics or tai chi, but it’s all about finding things that suit your interests and abilities. (Talk to your doctor for recommendations.)

And yes, people with arthritis can pump some iron (with some professional guidance, of course). Weight-lifting and weight-bearing activities help build strong muscles, which in turn help support and protect joints.

Myth 7: Pain pills are the only treatment option

Forget the smiling people in the drug commercials for a moment — the best course of treatment depends on the type of arthritis. Many people with osteoarthritis find an analgesic like acetaminophen is all they need. Other people need some help controlling inflammation — like non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs). Other classes of medications like disease-modifying anti-rheumatic drugs (DMARDs) and biological response modifiers (BRMs) may be required for some conditions like rheumatoid arthritis.

Medications aren’t the only way to manage symptoms. Physical therapy can help restore and improve range of motion, mobility and flexibility. Occupational therapy can help make everyday activities and hobbies easier and more enjoyable by learning new techniques or using new gadgets. In some cases, surgery may be required to remove all or part of an affected joint.

In additional, some people find relief from alternative therapies like massage, acupuncture, supplements, laughter and guided imagery techniques. (See Arthritis: how to ease the pain for an overview of treatment options.)

Myth 8: You can’t do anything to prevent it

We’re focussed on preventing cancer, diabetes and cardiovascular disease, but can we take similar steps to avoid arthritis? Experts say yes… and no. There are a lot of misconceptions about what causes arthritis. Factors like a poor diet or cold weather can affect arthritis, but they haven’t been linked to causing it.

There’s still a lot we don’t know about arthritis, and we can’t do anything about some of our risk factors — like age, sex or heredity. However, healthy eating, exercise and maintaining a healthy weight can help reduce the risk (and they’re things we should be doing anyway). In women, excess weight has been found to increase the risk of arthritis in the hips and hands, and in men it can increase the risk of gout.

Pain and inflammation that’s caused by repetitive motion can be avoided by taking frequent breaks and using proper form — like making sure your desk and computer are ergonomically set up to avoid strain. Joint injuries can also lead to arthritis, so avoiding falls and injuries can be a preventative measure as well.

What about cracking joints? While it may annoy others, it’s a myth that it will cause arthritis.

As with any health concern, the more we know, the better we can deal with it — whether we’re directly affected or know someone who is.

ON THE WEB

For more information about arthritis and related conditions, visit the Canadian Arthritis Society and the American Arthritis Foundation.

Additional sources: About.com, Lupus Canada, Statistics Canada

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Tags: aging, arthritis, health, pain