{"id":920,"date":"2019-04-16T00:00:00","date_gmt":"2019-04-16T00:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/synergyhomecare.com\/mt-billings-59105\/2019\/04\/16\/why-is-arthritis-considered-a-chronic-health-condition\/"},"modified":"2026-03-25T16:42:11","modified_gmt":"2026-03-25T22:42:11","slug":"why-is-arthritis-considered-a-chronic-health-condition","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/synergyhomecare.com\/mt-billings-59105\/knowledge-center\/why-is-arthritis-considered-a-chronic-health-condition\/","title":{"rendered":"Why is Arthritis Considered a Chronic Health Condition?"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Between 2013 and 2015, approximately 54.4 million adults learned they had at least one form of arthritis. Of that number, almost half are 65 or older. Arthritis is a chronic health condition. It’s considered that because there is no cure and it’s something that will affect a person’s life in some way.<\/p>\n

What Causes Arthritis?<\/strong><\/p>\n

There are dozens of arthritis types. Osteoarthritis is the most common form and is diagnosed in more than 30 million adults. Where bones meet and form a joint, cartilage acts as a cushion. As that cartilage wears away, the bones may rub together or change. It’s common in the knees, hips, and hands.<\/p>\n

Pain and stiffness are common complaints with this form of arthritis. It can impact the patient’s mobility. Osteoarthritis can also make it hard to complete tasks that were once easy to perform. Many times, arthritis pain in the hands can make it hard to chop foods, hold a pencil, or use a utensil.<\/p>\n

Rheumatoid arthritis is another form. This type of arthritis occurs when the body’s immune system sees the cells as foreign bodies and triggers an immune response. The attack on the cells in the joints of the wrists, knees, and hands leads to inflammation and pain.<\/p>\n

Over time, rheumatoid arthritis can damage the joins leading to deformity. It also messes up balance and mobility. Sometimes, it spreads beyond joints into organs like the heart and lungs.<\/p>\n

Can You Cure Arthritis?<\/strong><\/p>\n

While you cannot cure arthritis, there are changes you can make before you’re diagnosed to lower the risk of developing it. Those changes include:<\/p>\n