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Carol & Richard Eustice
Arthritis Blog

By Carol & Richard Eustice, About.com Guides to Arthritis

Over 1 in 5 Americans Report Doctor-Diagnosed Arthritis

Saturday February 24, 2007
Arthritis is not a single disease. Arthritis comprises over 100 different diseases and conditions. The most common types are osteoarthritis, gout, rheumatoid arthritis, and fibromyalgia, according to the CDC (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention).

Common symptoms include pain, aching, stiffness, and swelling in or around the joints. Some types of arthritis, such as rheumatoid arthritis and lupus, can affect multiple organs and cause widespread symptoms. Overlapping symptoms can make arthritis difficult to diagnose, but each type has prominent characteristics.

Arthritis is not just an older person’s disease. The CDC reports, nearly two-thirds of people with arthritis are younger than age 65. Over 1 in 5 Americans report doctor-diagnosed arthritis, making arthritis one of the nation’s most common health problems.

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