Arthritis is a broad category of joint and connective tissue disorders that impacts around one in five people in both Canada and the United States, according to the Arthritis Society of Canada. In fact, arthritis is a leading cause of disability for many people around the world. Arthritis becomes a greater concern as people age. That’s particularly so with osteoarthritis, which is degenerative condition caused by repeated use and stress on joints.
Common symptoms of arthritis include joint pain, swelling, reduced mobility, and physical weakness. Such signs underscore how much arthritis can affect daily life. Symptoms may come and go, but it’s not always easy living with arthritis, particularly rheumatoid arthritis. Also, in some people, rheumatoid arthritis can damage body systems beyond the joints, including the skin, eyes, lungs, heart, and blood vessels, says the Mayo Clinic.
