Arthritis is Expected to Rise

Arthritis has been rising, and is expected to increase even further. An estimated forty six (46) million Americans now suffer from arthritis, according to Arthritis Foundation. By the year 2020, this number is expected to reach 59 million. The burden of arthritis is heavy not only on the sufferers but also on the economy.

John H. Klippel, M.D., president and CEO, Arthritis Foundation said: "Arthritis is a debilitating disease that profoundly impacts the lives of millions of Americans on a daily basis. The effects of the 46 million Americans with arthritis on the economy are enormous; the direct and indirect medical costs of this disease are estimated to be $128 billion each year. With the aging of baby boomers, the prevalence of arthritis is expected to rise by 40 percent - that is up to 67 million people – by the year 2030."¹

“In 2003 the rates for men and women in GB (Great Britain) were less than 25 per 1,000 population up to age 44. After that there was a rapid increase in prevalence, with rates increasing sixfold to age 64. The rates for women then rose more sharply than for men: among those aged 65-74, the prevalence rate for women was twice that for men (227 per 1,000 compared with 113).”²

There are over 100 different arthritic conditions. Some of these conditions involve inflammation while others do not.

Most types of arthritis involve joint inflammation.

Three common categories of arthritis are given as follows (I will discuss them briefly):

· Osteoarthritis -- 27 million Americans have to endure osteoarthritis.
· Rheumatoid Arthritis -- 1.3 million Americans live with rheumatoid arthritis
· Juvenile Arthritis -- As many as 300,000 children have some form of arthritis.

Osteoarthritis, or OA for short, is also called osteoarthroses or degenerative joint disease. It is the most common form of arthritis in the United States of America. OA is a chronic condition that is characterized by the breakdown of the joint’s cartilage. The breakdown or loss of cartilage results in the bones rubbing against each other, thereby causing stiffness, pain and loss of movement in the joint.

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA), a chronic condition, is currently regarded as an autoimmune disease that causes chronic inflammation of the joints. I beg to differ because I don’t personally think there should even be such a term, “autoimmune disease,” being used at all! Doctors and experts may disagree with me here! I know I am running against the established definition of several such diseases. But I am entitled to my own opinion and belief, am I not? I’m not bragging here, that I know more than them. Indeed, no! Any knowledge or experience, if it is of any good to anyone, is from above, not Ray Chee. You can read about the root causes of these so-called autoimmune diseases and other diseases, including cancer, in my book, The Amazing Heart.

If conditions within our body are not right, of course, we can expect adverse ramifications, which often stem from an imbalanced condition created by our own selves. The same with other so-called autoimmune diseases like lupus and Crohn’s disease. (I am not being unsympathetic or mean here; I fully understand that you, the reader, may be suffering from a disease that is causing you a lot of pain and other inconveniences, to say the least.) We cannot blame the body, for it was designed to do its job—and what a great job it does too! In this case, if we allow conditions to build up such that microorganisms are allowed to multiply, then we should expect the body to react accordingly. But if we put the conditions right, things will improve.

Arthritis Foundation, Atlanta, GA, U.S.A. offered 10 good ways³ to help yourself, i.e., to protect your joints. I’d like to say that there are other ways because these may not be enough to improve your conditions.

1. Maintain your ideal body weight. The more you weigh, the more stress you are putting on your joints, especially your hips, knees, back and feet.

2. Move your body. Exercise protects joints by strengthening the muscles around them. Strong muscles keep your joints from rubbing against one another, wearing down cartilage. We can help you get started on an exercise program that works for you.

3. Stand up straight. Good posture protects the joints in your neck, back, hips and knees.

4. Use the big joints. When lifting or carrying, use largest and strongest joints and muscles. This will help you avoid injury and strain on your smaller joints.

5. Pace yourself. Alternate periods of heavy activity with periods of rest. Repetitive stress on joints for long periods of time can accelerate the wear and tear that causes OA.

6. Listen to your body. If you are in pain, don't ignore it. Pain after activity or exercise can be an indication that you have overstressed your joints.

7. Don't be static. Changing positions regularly will decrease the stiffness in your muscles and joints.

8. Forget the weekend warrior. Don't engage in activities your body for which your body isn't prepared. Start new activities slowly and safely until you know how your body will react to them. This will reduce the chance of injury.

9. Wear proper safety equipment. Don't leave helmets and wrist pads at home. Make sure you get safety gear that is comfortable and fits appropriately.

10. Ask for help. Don't try to do a job that is too big for you to handle. Get another pair of hands to help out.


Besides the joints themselves, RA can also cause inflammation of the tissue around the joints, as well as in other organs. Because RA can affect several other organs of the body, it can be considered a systemic disease; hence, it is sometimes referred to as rheumatoid disease.

While RA is a chronic disease, patients may have long periods without experiencing any symptom. Nevertheless, RA is usually a degenerative problem that can lead to joint destruction and functional disability—thus it can be a debilitating disease.

Juvenile rheumatoid arthritis (JRA) is a chronic inflammatory condition that results in joint pain and inflammation. It may even lead to joint damage. It usually occurs in children before the age of 16.

Prevalence of JRA in the United States is 50-100 per 100,000 children. It is the most common types of arthritis in children.

JRA can be divided into several categories:

1. Systemic JRA: Occurs in about 10% of cases, and involves joint pain and swelling as well as fevers and rash.

2. Polyarticular JRA: This is more common (about 40% of cases). Multiple painful and swollen joints can result.

3. Pauciarticular JRA: This form of JRA is the most common (roughly half of the cases). It usually involves only a few joints.


Symptoms of arthritis may include:

§ Joint stiffness upon arising in the morning
§ Slow rate of growth, sometimes with uneven arm or leg growth
§ Back pain
§ Limited movement; affected limb may result in immobility
§ Hot, swollen, painful joints
§ Red eyes, eye pain (including pain when exposed to light) usually due to inflammation in the eye
§ Other visual problems
§ Fever, usually high fevers every day
§ Intermittent rash, with the fever
§ Swollen lymph nodes (glands)


Finally, you don’t have to suffer arthritis in secret, or constantly have to use drugs and other forms of treatment that can produce side effects.

Let’s face it. As we age, unwelcome things will spring up here and there. With the right knowledge and application of such knowledge, you don’t have to endure arthritic pains. For example, I have treated my own arthritic wrist (with someone’s help), several fingers which were painful at the same time, my knee pain, and later an arthritic finger, and achieved success within a short period of time; I am happy to announce that I have been freed from such pains since. I did it holistically—-surgery- and drug-free! You can also do the same, too!! Remember: Some arthritis drugs have been known to kill! Nor should surgery or knee and other joint replacements be always necessary!

Do you have pains in the back? Knee? Or elsewhere? Why suffer any longer? Do let us know your concerns, and see how we can help you with them.

You don’t have to fight arthritis alone!


Best of regards,
Ray Chee
info@FocusOnTotalHealth.net






¹ Quoted from http://www.arthritis.org/arthritis-awareness.php May 11 2009

² http://www.statistics.gov.uk/cci/nugget.asp?id=1331 May 11 2009

³ http://www.arthritis.org/protect-your-joints.php May 11 2009