What disease affects about 3.4million Australians of all ages, can cause chronic pain and is estimated to cost our economy $24billion a year?
Arthritis.
Contrary to what most of us believe, arthritis is not an older person's disease, nor is it an inevitable part of growing old. Elizabeth Scrivener from Arthritis ACT says it's a perception the organisation is striving to counter.
She says children as young as three months can be afflicted with juvenile rheumatoid arthritis a severe and debilitating form of the disease. ''In the local region we have more than 100 young people under 18 with juvenile rheumatoid arthritis.''
About 15 per cent of the ACT population has arthritis, and most are of working age.
There is also a perception that once you have arthritis there is nothing you can do about it. But Scrivener says while it's true there is no cure, there is still a lot people can do to relieve their symptoms and the pain.
So what exactly is arthritis? Again, there are a lot of misconceptions. Gout, for example, is one of the most common forms of arthritis. Arthritis Australia says arthritis not a single disease, but covers more than 100 medical conditions that affect the musculoskeletal system, specifically joints where two or more bones meet.
Arthritis-related problems include pain, stiffness, inflammation and damage to joint cartilage and surrounding structures. It can lead to physical deformities and interfere with most basic tasks, including driving, walking and even food preparation.
The three most common forms of arthritis are osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis and gout, which together account for more than 95 per cent of cases in Australia.
Scrivener describes osteoarthritis as the ''wear and tear'' form of the disease. It's the one which causes our ''rickety knees'' and can affect our ability to do activities like climbing stairs and opening jars. It is caused by a break down of cartilage which leaves the ends of bones unprotected and our joints without the ability to move smoothly.
Risk factors are thought to include being overweight, having a previous knee or hip injury, jobs involving kneeling, climbing, squatting or lifting heavy loads and having a family history of osteoarthritis. Rheumatoid arthritis is an autoimmune disease that causes pain and swelling of the joints. Scrivener says that as with other autoimmune diseases, the cause is not known, but receiving timely medical intervention to stop deformity, keeping weight under control and not smoking helps to minimise damage.
Rheumatoid arthritis can cause permanent joint damage and deformity. Scrivener says in the most severe cases people can be forced out of the workforce within about 10 years of diagnosis. Arthritis Australia says early diagnosis and treatment can limit joint damage.
Gout is caused by a build up of uric acid in the body which leads to small crystals forming in and around joints, causing inflammation, pain and swelling. Unlike many other forms of arthritis, gout can be prevented. Arthritis Australia says there are medicines that can lower uric acid levels in your body, and other measures, such as cutting down alcohol intake and losing weight if you are overweight can help. There is also a belief that avoiding purine-rich foods (such as scallops, liver, mussels, sardines, anchovies and beer) can reduce attacks, but it says there is little scientific proof to back this up.
There are many supposed arthritis ''remedies'' on the market ranging from bracelets to powders and potions but Arthritis Australia cautions against products touted as ''cures''. It says there is no cure for most forms of arthritis, and urges sufferers to be wary of any products or treatments which make such claims. It also warns sufferers to be wary of special diets or supplements which make similar claims. It says there is little proof that specific foods have an effect on arthritis (though for some people with gout, avoiding the purine-rich foods may help minimise attacks) and that the best idea is to eat a healthy, balanced diet.
Scrivener says as well as a healthy diet and not smoking, exercise is important. ''We have a saying 'move it or lose it'.'' Regular exercise is critical for the maintenance of joint mobility and strength as well as preventing falls which can lead to bone fractures.
She says tai chi and hydrotherapy can be particularly beneficial.
Arthritis ACT is introducing a pain-management program to help people to self-manage chronic pain. Scrivener says 14 leaders have been trained to run the course.
Phone Arthritis ACT on 62884244 to enrol for one of these courses, which are scheduled to start in the next couple of months.