Arthritis Awareness
Arthritis includes more than 100 diseases and conditions that affect joints, the tissues that surround the joint, and other connective tissue. Symptoms vary depending on the specific form of the disease, but typically include pain and stiffness in and around one or more joints. Some rheumatic conditions can also involve the immune system and various internal organs of the body. There are many types of arthritis— including osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, gout, lupus, and fibromyalgia— that affect joints, the tissue that surrounds joints, and other connective tissue.
Managing Arthritis: Strive for Five
1. Learn new self-management skills.
Join a self-management education workshop, which can help you learn the skills to manage your arthritis and make good decisions about your health.
Learning strategies to better manage your arthritis can help you:
- Feel more in control of your health.
- Manage pain and other symptoms.
- Carry out daily activities, like going to work and spending time with loved ones.
- Reduce stress.
- Improve your mood.
- Communicate better with your health care provider(s) about your care.
Learn about CDC-recommended self-management education programs that improve the quality of life of people with arthritis.
2. Be active.
Physical activity is a simple and effective, non-drug way to relieve pain from arthritis. Being physically active can reduce pain, improve function, mood, and quality of life for adults with arthritis. Regular physical activity can also reduce your risk of developing other chronic diseases, such as heart disease and diabetes. It can help you manage these conditions if you already have them.
The 2008 Physical Activity Guidelines for Americans recommend that adults be physically active at a moderate intensity for 150 minutes per week.
- For example, walk, swim, or bike 30 minutes a day for 5 days a week.
- These 30 minutes can be broken into three separate 10-minute sessions during the day, if needed.
Visit the health.gov website to learn more about the Physical Activity Guidelines for Americans.
Learn about CDC-recommended physical activity programs.
Physical activity is a simple and effective way to relieve pain from arthritis. Learn how you can increase your physical activity safely.
3. Talk to your doctor.
Talk to your doctor if you have joint pain and other arthritis symptoms. It’s important to get an accurate diagnosis as soon as possible so you can start treatment and work to minimize symptoms and prevent the disease from getting worse.
The focus of arthritis treatment is to
- Reduce pain.
- Minimize joint damage.
- Improve or maintain function and quality of life.
You can play an active role in controlling your arthritis by attending regular appointments with your health care provider and following your recommended treatment plan. This is especially important if you also have other chronic conditions, like diabetes or heart disease.
Learn more about arthritis and other co-occurring conditions or comorbidities.
4. Manage your weight.
Losing excess weight and staying at a healthy weight is particularly important for people with arthritis. For people who are overweight or obese, losing weight reduces stress on joints, particularly weight bearing joints like the hips and knees. In fact, losing as little as 10 to 12 pounds can improve pain and function for people with arthritis. At any age, low-impact, arthritis-friendly physical activity (like walking) and dietary changes can help you lose weight.
Learn about managing your weight at CDC’s Healthy Weight website.
5. Protect your joints.
Joint injuries can cause or worsen arthritis. Choose activities that are easy on the joints like walking, bicycling, and swimming. These low-impact activities have a low risk of injury and do not twist or put too much stress on the joints. Learn more about how to exercise safely with arthritis.
Sports- or work-related injuries to joints can increase the likelihood of developing osteoarthritis. To reduce the likelihood of developing or worsening osteoarthritis, take steps to minimize or prevent injuries to joints, such as wearing protective equipment and avoiding repetitive motion joint damage.