Many people start to feel pain and stiffness in their joints as they get older, often when they’re 45 to 50. It’s called arthritis, and it’s one of the most common diseases nationwide. You may think it’s a disease of old age, but arthritis can affect young adults and even children. In recent years, scientists have made rapid progress in understanding the many causes of arthritis. They’ve also made significant strides in developing effective new treatments for many forms of the disease.
What exactly is arthritis? “Arthr” means joint, and “itis” means inflammation—heat, swelling, and redness. But the inflammation of arthritis isn’t always something you can see….