Arthritis and Chronic Joint Symptoms
Margie Garrison – “The Arthritis Lady”
From the Centers for Disease Control
Are you female, Caucasian, have a lesser education, and
overweight? Then you run the greatest risk of either arthritis
or chronic joint symptoms. Check out the latest statistics from
the Centers for Disease Control (CDC)
These statistics left me stunned. Just for openers:
Arthritis and chronic joint symptoms affect nearly 70 million
Americans, or about one of every three adults, making it one of
the most prevalent diseases in the United States. As the
population ages, this number will increase dramatically.
Arthritis is the leading cause of disability in the United
States. Double that of heart trouble. Triple that of respiratory
trouble. Five times that of diabetes. Over six times more than
that of stroke!
Nationally, medical care for arthritis cost nearly $22 billion
in 1995 (latest figures).
Total costs, including medical care and loss of productivity,
exceeded $82 billion in 1995.
Who has arthritis?
As the CDC reports: “The prevalence of arthritis is high for
all demographic groups, but especially higher among women, older
persons, and those with less education.”
What’s being done?
The CDC reports that in 1998, the “first ever” plan to address
arthritis using a public health approach was released. This plan
was developed by the CDC, the Arthritis Foundation, and the
Association of State and Territorial Health Officials, with
input from over 90 organizations. The plan recommended actions
in “Three major areas for individuals and groups interested in
reducing the impact of arthritis.”
Surveillance, Epidemiology, and Prevention Research
Communication and Education
Programs, Policies, and Systems
For some reason, this evokes a scene in my mind from the TV
show “Star Trek Voyager” where the holographic Doctor is helping
one of his patients recover from a leg joint injury. The crewman
is in great pain, while the Doctor dispassionately tells the
patient to “live with the pain and do the exercises”. The
crewman, exasperated at this attitude, complains to the Doctor
that he was programmed not to hurt his patients. The holographic
Doctor quickly replies “I was programmed to do no harm. However,
I can inflict as much pain as I wish.”
In the daily media, we are bombarded with stories about AIDS,
SARS (Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome), Heart Disease, and
even the latest outbreak of the West Nile Virus. Yet, you hardly
ever hear anything about the greatest threat to our quality of
life … Arthritis!
Let me repeat the findings of the CDC (Centers for Disease
Control).
“Arthritis and chronic joint symptoms affect nearly 70 million
Americans, or about one of every three adults, making it one of
the most prevalent diseases in the United States. As the
population ages, this number will increase dramatically.”
One in Three
God forbid you are a Caucasian woman, with little education,
and are 30 lbs or more overweight (obese).
What can be done?
The CDC recommends: “We can do the effective things that are
not being done enough. Research shows that physical activity
decreases pain, improves function and delays disability. In
addition, research studies suggest that maintaining an ideal
body weight and avoiding joint injuries reduces the risk of
developing arthritis and may decrease disease progression.
Obtaining an early diagnosis so that appropriate management,
including self-management, can be initiated may improve the
quality of life for persons with arthritis. Early diagnosis and
appropriate management of arthritis, including … self-help
courses, weight control, and physical activity can help people
with arthritis function better, stay productive, and lower
health care costs.”
Has your Doctor ever told you to just keep doing your
exercises, keep dieting and keep your weight down, and keep
taking your medications and just try to live with the pain?
What else is your Doctor going to say? Are we crazy? Could it
be that if your Doctor said anything else it would mean
committing financial suicide?
I know most doctors are hard-working and doing their best and
in many cases are achieving astonishing things.
However, the pressure to use drugs and more drugs is
overwhelming. It is not their fault! It is ours!! We go to them
for a magic bullet and expect them to heal us… and with not
having to make any lifestyle changes. Is this fair to the
doctors? Of course not!
”
I Cured My Arthritis You Can Too”
Best of Health,
Margie Garrison – The Arthritis Lady”
About the author:
I am Margie – “The Arthritis Lady”, author of “I Cured My
Arthritis You Can Too”.
I also publish and distribute a free weekly health newsletter,
“Amazing Secrets To Fantastic Health””, that you can subscribe
to by sending an email to: [email protected]
I have dedicated my life to helping you, help yourself enjoy a
Healthier and Happier Lifestyle.
Best of Health, Margie – “The Arthritis Lady&#