7 Misconceptions About Arthritis

Inaccurate information about arthritis is spread.

Misconception #5 - Arthritis consists of only minor aches and pains

Fact: Arthritis consists of much more than just minor aches and pains.

It is another common misconception that arthritis exhibits only minor aches and pains. Television commercials, which claim that a couple of aspirin or another over-the-counter pain reliever take away the minor aches and pains of arthritis, tend to mislead the public.

Such advertising, along with a lack of knowledge about the disease, expand some people's unawareness of the more complex forms of arthritis which require more aggressive forms of treatment.

Changes that may occur when a person is affected by arthritis include:

Misconception #6 - "You felt fine yesterday....why so tired today?"

Fact: There is variation in the duration and severity of the symptoms of arthritis.

Since arthritis is a disease characterized by periods of flares and remissions, it is often difficult for the family and friends of an arthritic to comprehend why they feel so much better or so much worse on any particular day. The inconsistency of arthritis can even lead some people to believe the disease is "all in your head".

Arthritis is characterized by a mix of good days and bad days. Some days the joint pain and fatigue is more exacerbated. A balance between rest and activity may be necessary to best manage living with arthritis.

Misconception #7 - "You have arthritis, you can't...."

Fact: There is much a person with arthritis CAN do.

The limitations which arthritis imposes on an individual can cause people closest to them to become overprotective. Sometimes people do too much to try and help the person with arthritis. The disease does interfere with some physical ability, but certainly the arthritic person should not be viewed as totally dependent and invalid.

A certain amount of help and dependence is likely to be required. It must be remembered though that it is best to maintain as much independence as possible for both physical and emotional reasons.

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