The report provides information to arthritis patients and caregivers who want to know how to reduce their risks. For example, it states, “There is little data available to answer the question of what makes an individual more susceptible to arthritis.” On the other hand, the report notes that certain lifestyles such as smoking and alcohol use may increase the likelihood of arthritis.
Arm 401: Holistically Assessing Risk also notes, “There is no single cause of arthritis, or even a group of causes.” It continues by stating that, “While there is a strong genetic link to arthritis, other factors can contribute to the development of arthritis as well. In fact, some people may be more likely to get arthritis than others.”
The report lists four risk factors for arthritis patients. These include age, gender, race, genetics and occupation.
Arm 401 highlights the following risk factors, which the Foundation calls a “common denominator” for everyone who is at risk for arthritis. This common denominator includes: being overweight or obese; being inactive; and not exercising. It also lists occupations that may increase risk, such as police officers, prison guards and construction workers, among others.
According to the Arthritis Foundation, one in seven arthritis patients are overweight. Being overweight increases the risk of developing osteoarthritis, a form of arthritis. Being obese, regardless of whether it’s due to being overweight, being active or being inactive, has been shown to increase the risk significantly.
Arm 401 says that gender is another factor that can play a role in arthritis risk. This is particularly true when women suffer from osteoarthritis. Some studies have shown that estrogen levels, which are believed to be increased in women who suffer from osteoarthritis, are linked to the development of osteoarthritis. Women who experience menopause are also more at risk. and should consider hormone replacement therapy.
Arm 401 goes on to note that genetics play a role in arthritis. That is to say that people who have a family history of the disease are at a higher risk. In addition, people who are smokers are at a greater risk because smoking decreases the body’s ability to protect itself from free radicals. This means that the body can more easily accumulate harmful chemicals that are associated with arthritis.
Arm 401 says that race is another factor. The reason this is important to know is that different diseases carry varying risks depending on your racial background. People who are African American, Native American and Hispanics are more at risk for rheumatoid arthritis, for example. They are at a higher risk of having a hip or knee condition, which can lead to more serious problems like osteoporosis.
If you have any of these risk factors, you should consider all of them when making your decision about how to get rid of arthritis. Although each factor alone may not prove to be a cause for concern, it does mean that you will need to take all of them into consideration, if you are to ensure that you do not develop arthritis.
Arm 401 says that age is another factor that affects arthritis risk. People over the age of fifty are more likely to develop arthritis because they already have certain risk factors and the body becomes susceptible to developing more problems as we age. For example, people who are over the age of forty often experience osteoarthritis because of their bone mass, which tends to decrease over time.
Arm 401 points out that gender also has an impact on arthritis risk. Men have a greater chance of developing arthritis if they are overweight. Women tend to be more at risk for arthritis than men, in part because of the fact that they experience less osteoarthritis in their bodies.
People who are currently working outside the home also have a higher chance of developing arthritis. Because their bodies aren’t capable of producing as much cartilage as they once did, they’re more prone to joint problems. Because people tend to get older, people who work outside the home are more likely to experience the onset of arthritis than those who stay inside.