(UNDATED) – The Center for Disease Control has a comprehensive website on arthritis that can be useful to anyone who has either been diagnosed with a form of arthritis or wants to know more about it.
The basic facts section includes descriptions of the different types of arthritis. Osteoarthritis, which is the most common form and is sometimes called the “wear and tear” arthritis, and rheumatoid arthritis, which is an autoimmune and inflammatory disease, are included, as well as fibromyalgia, gout and childhood arthritis.
Other parts of the basic facts area are on the risk factors, managing arthritis and physical activity for arthritis. There are some helpful guidelines on physical activity, with the recommendation that “some physical activity is better than none.”
There is also information on pain and arthritis, lifestyle management programs and tools for partners, as well as an in-depth section on data and statistics. The data and statistics area of the website has both national and state-level data that includes maps showing the difference in prevalence of arthritis for women and men, as well as maps for work limitations, activity limitations, social participation, and severe joint pain, all attributed to arthritis.
All of these areas of information on the CDC website on arthritis can be useful to someone who has ever received a diagnosis of one form of arthritis or another as well as for anyone who wants to help someone they know who has arthritis.
