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Experiencing aches and pains of arthritis
By Stephanie Flemmons, Staff Writer
It was 10 years ago when 85-year-old Alice Skiba was diagnosed with osteoarthritis.
What began as a minor discomfort in her fingers has led to all over her body.
Because of the swelling of joints in her fingers, today, Skiba is unable to slide on her wedding ring that has adorned her finger for more than 60 years.
Arthritis is exploding in an aging population of U.S. baby boomers and is projected to increase by 40 percent in the next two decades, according to a new study released by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) for the National Arthritis Data Workgroup.
The report reaffirms that nearly one in five U.S. adults (46 million people) have arthritis and an estimated 67 million people will be affected by 2030.
The study found that osteoarthritis, the most common form of arthritis, has increased to 27 million people, up from 1990 estimates of 21 million.
Dr. Son Giep, who specializes in internal medicine at Presbyterian Hospital of Plano, said osteoarthritis is becoming more common because people are living longer. He said it’s a result of wear and tear of age, overuse and a large part of the population being overweight and not active.
“The main thing is people are overdoing things,” Giep said. “Part of the problem with the baby boomer generation is it was the first large generation of people that were either extremely active or have a large amount of people overweight.”
Skiba said she believes overuse of her body was the contributing factor to her arthritis.
“I always kept going,” Skiba said. “I loved to paint walls, trim windows, yard work and wash the car. I can’t do any of these things anymore.”
Giep said physical activity and weight bearing exercises are a preventative measure for osteoarthritis, but people should maintain a healthy balance.
“If you do too much of a certain thing it won’t be good for you,” Giep said. “If you don’t do any type of exercise, it won’t be good for you.”
Giep said once diagnosed, there is no cure. Patients are recommended to take pain killers or have surgeries or injections from an orthopedic surgeon in order to reduce pain.
Skiba said when she was first diagnosed she lived in Michigan where she believes the doctors weren’t qualified enough to diagnose and manage the disease.
“If you wanted to take medication back then, you could, but you didn’t have to,” Skiba said. “No one pushed me to. I thought it would be alright. But now I realized I should have stayed on the medication. It may have helped.”
Skiba said performing minor daily functions became increasingly more difficult throughout the years. She said during the holiday season she dropped a crystal pepper shaker and a toaster. She always related the disease to old ladies who have worked too hard.
“I’ve realized this is a disease that is not good to have,” Skiba said. “Everyone should try to help themselves from the beginning. Follow doctors orders, if they get any, and stay with the medications that are out today.”
Part of the study published in the January issue of Arthritis & Rheumatism, estimates that 294,000 U.S. children and teenagers under age 18 have been diagnosed with arthritis or another rheumatologic condition. It included an increase in gout from 2.1 million to 3 million.
“The prevalence of arthritis overall continues to grow in the United States, as well as in Texas, which is not surprising given that many of the specific conditions are age-related and the general population is aging,” said Karen Stern, president and CEO of the Arthritis Foundation Texas Chapter. “Increases in some of the more common types of arthritis suggest a growing impact on the health care and public health systems.”
The Arthritis Foundation is working to help address this ever-growing problem. The Arthritis Prevention, Control, and Cure Act proposes to strengthen arthritis public health initiatives, which would ensure that more people are diagnosed early and avoid pain and permanent disability.
“I think public education is helpful in the sense it will raise public awareness and improve upon people’s lifestyles,” Giep said.
Dr. Scott Zashin, PHP rheumatologist, said it is never too late to help ease symptoms and develop a healthy lifestyle.
“It’s important a patient recognizes the science and symptoms,” Zashin said. “The patient can feel better through education, instruction and exercise.”
Stern said even as the number of people with arthritis increases, the amount of federal funding for research has decreased.
“We must reverse this trend to avoid a potential public health crisis,” Stern said. “We urge Texans to contact the Arthritis Foundation Texas Chapter for more information on our local arthritis programs and to find out how they can support the Arthritis Prevention, Control and Cure Act by asking Congress to enact this critical legislation this year,” she said.
Contact Stephanie Flemmons at sflemmons@acnpapers.com
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