Raising awareness of arthritis in Australia

Arthritis can affect people of all ages, as Arthritis Awareness Week strives to increase awareness of this debilitating condition.

It can start with stiff knee joints in the morning. Or you might notice your wrists aren’t as flexible as they used to be.

For many Australians, arthritis, which refers to conditions affecting the muscles, bones or joints, can be difficult to diagnose due to the onset of symptoms affecting individuals differently.

The cause of arthritis is unclear, but several factors are thought to contribute. These include genetics, joint injury and environmental factors such as infection, smoking or being overweight.

Common symptoms of arthritis

Arthritis sufferers may experience several indicators, including pain, swelling, stiffness or reduced movement in a joint, muscular aches and pains, and general symptoms, such as tiredness.

There were 3.5 million Australians who had arthritis in 2014-15, according to the National Health Survey.

The likelihood of getting arthritis increases with age, with women more susceptible. In 2014-15, women aged 55 years and over in Australia were 51.4 percent likely to have arthritis compared with 35.2 percent of men.

Types of arthritis

Osteoarthritis is the most common type of arthritis in Australia.

It’s more likely to occur if you’re over 45, and occurs when the cartilage at the end of the bones becomes brittle and breaks down due to wear and tear.

This leads to joints becoming stiff and painful to move.

The other common type is rheumatoid arthritis, which is where the body’s immune system attacks the lining of the joints, causing them to become inflamed and swollen.

Arthritis can affect anyone, regardless of age

The common belief that arthritis only affects older people is incorrect.

Anyone can get arthritis, including children and young adults. More than half of Australians with arthritis are aged between 25-64 years.

“It can affect people from all backgrounds, ages and lifestyles,” Move muscle, bone and joint health spokeswoman Corrie Withers says.

Getting treatment for arthritis

Arthritis is set to rise in coming years due to our ageing population.

In 2013, Arthritis and Osteoporosis Victoria’s A Problem Worth Solving report estimated the number of cases of arthritis and other musculoskeletal conditions will increase by 43 percent by 2032, and affect 30.2 percent of the population.

At this stage, there’s no cure for arthritis, so a treatment plan is imperative.

“Depending on the type of arthritis, there may be times when your condition causes pain and fatigue which impacts on your day-to-day life,” Corrie says.

The best course of treatment varies for each individual and should be discussed with a medical practitioner. It can include medication, exercise, physical therapy, weight loss and surgery.

“Working with a healthcare team will help you find ways to manage it effectively,” Corrie adds.

Arthritis Awareness Week runs from May 28-June 3. For more information, visit arthritisaustralia.com.au