Arthritis

What Is Arthritis? Arthritis is a disease that affects the joints and various organs There are over 100 different types of arthritis that are known Some of the types are: Ankylosing Spondylitis, Gout, Juvenile Arthritis, Osteoarthritis, Psoriatic Arthritis, Reactive Arthritis, and Rheumatoid Arthritis There are many subcategories under the types (I.E. polyarticular, idiopathic, etc.)

What Does It Affect? The systems it affects are: Skeletal, Immune, Skin, Eyes, Respiratory, Circulatory, Kidney, and Nervous The symptoms in these various systems can range from harmless to deadly Some arthritis medications can have terrible symptoms

What Can Happen To The Systems? In the skeletal system: aches and pains, bone thinning, cartilage degradation In the immune system: sickness comes more easily and hits harder and longer In the skin: lumps of tissue (nodules) can form under the skin, rashes can occur In the eyes: Inflammation, loss of sight, scarring, dryness. Medicine can cause glaucoma and cataracts In the mouth: Dryness In the lungs: inflammation, scarring, nodules. Methotrexate (medication) can cause methotrexate pneumonia In the kidneys: medication can cause kidney failure In the heart: Anemia, felty syndrome In the nervous system: pinched or compressed nerves

Diagnostic Tests Used They use your medical and family history as insight They perform a physical examination They test your blood They test fluid from the joints They can use X-Rays, Ultrasounds and MRI's

What Can Be Done To Prevent/Manage Arthritis? Eating lots of omega 3s (fish, Omega 3 pills, etc.) Controlling your weight Exercising and staying fit Avoiding injury and high stress sports (Football, Rugby, Etc.) Regular doctors visits to check up Medications Physiotherapy Orthotics 

What Are The Signs and Symptoms of Arthritis? Joint pain Swelling Stiffness Unexplained fatigue Sense of illness Longer lasting illness

What Are The Main Causes of Arthritis? Genetics  Joint wear and tear Auto immune disorder ARTHRITIS IS NOT CONTAGIOUS!

What Does Arthritis Do To The Body Overtime? Causes degradation of the joints Extreme pain when moving Inability to straighten certain joints Reduced flexibility

Interesting Facts And Stats 1-5 Canadians live with arthritis It is the leading cause of disability in the U.S. Women are more likely then men to be diagnosed with arthritis In 2008 15.3% of Canadians reported a diagnosis of arthritis Certain types of arthritis, such as osteoarthritis are more common with age Olympic snowboarder Spencer Obrien has arthritis

For more information on arthritis and arthritis related events and fundraisers please visit: https://www.arthri tis.ca/

Works Cited “Arthritis.” Statcan.gc.ca, 28 Sept. 2016, www.statcan.gc.ca/pub/82-229-x/2009001/status/art-eng.htm. Macon, Brindles Lee, and Lauren Reed-Guy. “Arthritis: Causes, Signs, and Diagnosis.” Edited by Natalie Butler, Healthline, Healthline Media, 14 Aug. 2017, www.healthline.com/health/arthritis#causes. Watson, Natalie. “Arthritis Prevention: What Can You Do?” Healthline, Healthline Media, www.healthline.com/health/arthritis-prevention. Dunkin, Mary Anne. “More Than Just Joints: How Rheumatoid Arthritis Affects the Rest of Your Body.” Www.arthritis.org, Arthritis Foundation, www.arthritis.org/about-arthritis/types/rheumatoid- arthritis/articles/rhemuatoid-arthritis-affects-body.php. “NIAMS Health Information on Arthritis.” National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, 21 Mar. 2018, www.niams.nih.gov/health- topics/arthritis#tab-types. “Rheumatoid Arthritis Medications: DMARDS, NSAIDs and More.” Healthline, Healthline Media, www.healthline.com/health/rheumatoid-arthritis/medications-list#opioids. “Diagnosing Arthritis.” Www.arthritis.org, www.arthritis.org/about-arthritis/understanding- arthritis/diagnosing-arthritis.php.