A good understanding of the problem is the first thing that families should have in order to provide appropriate support and care to arthritis sufferers.

1. UNDERSTANDING ARTHRITIS

2. Getting Older
 Deteriorating body
 Weaker limbs
 Declining senses
 Chances of contracting
various diseases increase
significantly

3. Arthritis: Statistics
 Nearly 1 in 5 Australians have Arthritis
 No cure at the moment

4. Arthritis is not a single diseases, but an
umbrella term to describe a group of
more than 100 conditions affecting
many different parts of the joint and
almost every joints in the body
Arthritis: Definition

5. Arthritis: Definition
Systemic Arthritis: sufferers will
suffer further damage on other
organs & various biological
systems such as the heart,
kidneys, lungs, blood vessels,
skin, etc.

6. Common Types of Arthritis
Osteoarthritis
 Most common form of arthritis
 Protective cartilage on the ends
of the bones wears down over
time  ultimately split, leaves the
ends of the bones unprotected
 Usually occurs: hands & large
joints e.g. knees, hips, spine

7. Rheumatoid arthritis
 Classified as an autoimmune
diseases
 The immune system attacks the
lining of the joints  inflammation,
swelling, pain and stiffness
 Usually occurs: small joints in
hands and feet
Common Types of Arthritis

8. Gout
 A complex form of arthritis, very
common for middle-aged men
 The body experience a buildup in uric
acid, which will form crystals in and
around the joints  inflammation,
swelling & severe pain
 Usually occurs: the joint at the base of
the big toe
Common Types of Arthritis

9. Ankylosing spondylitis
 An inflammatory disease
 Some of the vertebrae in the
spine fuse together, making
the spine less flexible
 If ribs are affected, it will be
difficult to take deep breath
Common Types of Arthritis

10. For more information or service inquiries
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http://zee.homeinstead.com.au/outereast