Intermountain TOSH

Why would we call arthritis the silent disease? Most people don't recognize the signs and symptoms of arthritis as they begin to get them. Arthritis is not an injury and does not happen overnight. Arthritis is actually part of the aging process, and while aging cannot be prevented, we can learn how to age gracefully.Based on 2010-2012 data from the National Health Interview survey an estimated 52.5 million, or 23% of adults, have been diagnosed with arthritis. Additionally, 23 million adults have some type of activity limitation.Its projected that by 2030 more than 67 million adults will be diagnosed with arthritis. Of those, 25 million will have activity limitations.So, what can be done?Obesity is a known risk factor for the development and progression of osteoarthritis. Mechanically speaking, body weight is a 1:4 ratio. This means that one pound of added body weight translates into four pounds of pressure in the knees and hips. Simply losing 10 pounds can relieve 40 pounds of pressure in the lower extremities.Did you know that obese adults are up to four times more likely to develop knee osteoarthritis? Reduction in body weight can be a significant healthy improvement in the lives of those with arthritis.Movement has been proven time and time again to benefit those with arthritis. Most people who have been diagnosed with arthritis report that they have no leisure time activities in their lives. That is considerably higher than those without arthritis.Those who suffer with arthritis also suffer from other diseases associated with inactivity, such as cardiovascular disease, diabetes, obesity and other limitations. Physical activity not only reduces the symptoms of arthritis, but lowers the risk of other conditions associated with low activity.Not surprisingly the CDC reports that arthritis is the number one disability in the United States. The most common reported disability is difficulty climbing a flight of stairs or walking three blocks. That means that 1 in 10 adults have trouble walking a distance comparable to walking from a parking lot to the back of a large store or strolling through the mall.The TOSH Arthritis Program is a multi-disciplinary program designed to help people with arthritis become more physically active and to help them better manage their arthritis symptoms. Simply put, if you have arthritis, we can help improve the quality of your life.Editors Note: this article was written by Dale Aguirre of the TOSH Arthritis Program. For more information or questions, please call the TOSH Arthritis Program at 801-314-2210.