Aging
and Arthritis
Aging and Arthritis
Causes and Risk Factors
Scientists do not yet fully understand what causes the various forms of arthritis. They are studying risk factors to determine why some people develop the disease and others do not.
Scientists have some understanding of the factors that cause osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, and gout. These are the three most common forms of arthritis among older adults.
Causes and Risk Factors - Osteoarthritis
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Researchers suspect that
osteoarthritis is caused by a combination of factors in the body and the environment. The chance of developing osteoarthritis increases withage . By age 65, half of the population has x-ray evidence of osteoarthritis in at least one joint, most oftenin the hips, knees, or fingers. -
Osteoarthritis often results from years of wear and tear on joints. This wear and tear mostly affects the cartilage, the tissue that cushions the ends of bones within the joint. Osteoarthritis occurs when the cartilage begins to fray, wear away, and decay.
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Putting too much stress on a joint that has been previously injured, improper alignment of joints, and excess weight all may lead to the development of osteoarthritis.
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Quiz
1. The chance of developing
osteoarthritis increases with
TRUE is the correct answer. The chance
of developing osteoarthritis increases with
2. Researchers suspect that
FALSE is the correct answer. Researchers
suspect that
3. Joint
TRUE is the correct answer. People with
joint
4. Osteoarthritis occurs when cartilage begins to fray, wear away, and decay, often as a result of years of wear and tear on joints.
TRUE is the correct answer. Osteoarthritis occurs when cartilage, the tissue that cushions the ends of the bones within the joints, breaks down and wears away. This allows bones to rub together, causing pain, swelling, and loss of motion in the affected joint.
5. Excess weight is a factor in the development of osteoarthritis.
TRUE is the correct answer. Putting too
much stress on a joint that has been previously injured, improper
Causes and Risk Factors - Rheumatoid Arthritis
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Rheumatoid arthritis results from the interaction of many factors such as genes, hormones, and the environment. Research suggests that a person's genetic makeup is an important part of the picture, but not the whole story.
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Some evidence shows that infectious agents, such as viruses and bacteria, may trigger rheumatoid arthritis in people with an inherited tendency to develop the disease. However, a specific agent or agents are not yet known.
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It is important to note that rheumatoid arthritis is not contagious. A person cannot catch it from someone else.
Quiz
1. Environmental factors may play a role in the development of rheumatoid arthritis.
TRUE is the correct answer. Rheumatoid arthritis may result from the interaction of many factors, such as genetics, hormones, and the environment.
2. Genes help determine who will get
TRUE is the correct answer. Research
suggests that a person's genetic
3. Researchers have identified a specific infectious agent that triggers rheumatoid arthritis.
FALSE is the correct answer. Some
evidence shows that particular infectious agents may trigger
rheumatoid arthritis in people with an inherited tendency to develop
4. Rheumatoid arthritis is contagious. A person can catch it from someone else.
FALSE is the correct answer. Rheumatoid
arthritis is not contagious. A person cannot catch it from someone
else. Infectious agents, such as viruses and bacteria, may trigger
rheumatoid arthritis in people with an inherited tendency to develop
Causes and Risk Factors - Gout
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Researchers have discovered some of the risk factors for gout. Up to 8 percent of people with gout have a family history of the disease. In addition to inherited traits, diet, weight, and alcohol play a role in the development of gout. The disease is more common in men.
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Most people with gout have too much uric acid in their blood, a condition called hyperuricemia. The extra uric acid moves from the blood to the joints, which may trigger the inflammation seen in gout.
Quiz
1. Some people with gout have a family history of the disease.
TRUE is the correct answer. Up to 8 percent of people with gout have a family history of the disease.
2. Diet, weight, and alcohol are risk factors in the development of gout.
TRUE is the correct answer. In addition to inherited traits, diet, weight, and alcohol play a role in the development of gout.
3. Hyperuricemia occurs when there is too much uric acid in the blood.
TRUE is the correct answer. Most people with gout have too much uric acid in their blood, a condition called hyperuricemia.
4. Women are more likely to develop gout than men.
FALSE is the correct answer. Adult men, particularly those between the ages of 40 and 50, are more likely to develop gout than women.
5. Scientists know very little about the risk factors for developing gout.
FALSE is the correct answer. Researchers have pinpointed the major risk factors for developing gout. In addition to inherited traits, diet, weight, and alcohol play a role in the development of gout.
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