Misconception #5 - Arthritis consists of only minor aches and pains.
Fact: Arthritis consists of much more than just minor aches and pains.
- Fast Facts About Arthritis
- 8 Best Things to Do for Arthritis
- 10 Facts You Should Know About Arthritis
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:
- Joint Pain and Destruction
- Limited Range of Motion
- Deformities
- Inflammation
- Chronic Pain
- Chronic Fatigue
- Other Symptoms / Health Problems
Misconception #6 - "You felt fine yesterday....why so tired today?"
Fact: There is variation in the duration and severity of the symptoms of arthritis.
- What Is An Arthritis Flare?
- I'm Tired of Being Tired
- 10 Ways to Fight Fatigue
- Family and Friends: Do They Understand Your Arthritis?
- Fatigue Leaves Arthritis Patients Unrefreshed - Are There Solutions?
Since arthritis is a disease characterized by periods of flares and remissions, it is often difficult for the family and friends of an arthritic person 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.
- Solving Difficult Issues
- Better Daily Living With Arthritis
- Solving Problems: Declare Your Independence
- 10 Ways to Improve Your Life With Arthritis
The limitations that 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.
