Myth Versus Fact - The Truth About Arthritis
Myth | Fact |
---|---|
Arthritis is an "old person’s disease" | Of the over 4.6 million Canadians with arthritis, 56% are below the age of 65 – including as many as 24,000 children aged 18 and under. |
Arthritis is one disease | There are more than 100 different types of arthritis. They include osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, lupus, gout, and ankylosing spondylitis, among others. |
Arthritis is not a costly disease | Arthritis costs $33 billion annually in healthcare costs and lost productivity. |
Arthritis is just aches and pains | Arthritis can be a debilitating disease that significantly affects a person’s quality of life. Along with what can be high levels of pain, fatigue, depression and loss of mobility are frequent symptoms. |
For more information about arthritis and The Arthritis Society, please visit www.arthritis.ca