Arthritis also is the leading cause of disability. Nearly 7 million people in the U.S., including 20% of people with arthritis, are unable to perform major life activities such as working or housekeeping because of this disease. Arthritis sufferers endure more days in severe pain, experience more days with limited ability to perform daily activities, and have more difficulty performing personal-care routines than people without arthritis. As with other chronic pain conditions, arthritis has negative effects on mental health. Some forms of arthritis also make your RealAge older.
The Definition of Rheumatoid Arthritis
Rheumatoid arthritis, known as Still’s disease when it affects children, is a condition that causes inflammation of joints and associated pain, swelling, and stiffness. Rheumatoid arthritis causes the body’s own immune system to attack joint tissue, breaking down collagen, cartilage, and sometimes bone or other organs. This chronic disease varies between people and fluctuates over time, often marked by symptoms that improve only to re-emerge later. In some cases rheumatoid arthritis is mild and lasts only a few months (this kind of...