Chronic arthritis symptoms have devastating affects on your body and wallet. Chronic arthritis is a serious illness effecting more than three hundred fifty million people worldwide including an estimated forty-million Americans. Of those forty-million affected, Osteoarthritis is the prevailing arthritic condition with a prodigious twenty-seven million cases in 2005 alone. The remaining thirteen million break down into rheumatic conditions such as gout, fibromyalgia, and Rheumatoid arthritis. Approximately 1.3 million Americans are stricken with Rheumatoid arthritis as reported in 2005 to the CDC.

Wisdom comes with age and unfortunately so does Osteoarthritis, caused by wear and tear and begins to occur later in life. Osteoarthritis symptoms are characterized by aching and tenderness in the joints with little to no swelling. These symptoms range from minor to severe, depending on the effected joints. When occurring in larger weight-bearing joints such as the hips or knees more serious issues can arise than in non weight-bearing joints such as the fingers. Although it is usually limited to an individual set of joints beginning at one side of the body, this type of arthritis signs and symptoms may not affect the other side. Osteoarthritis symptoms do not contain whole-body symptoms such as frequent fatigue or feelings of illness.

We are our own worst enemy and Symptoms of Rheumatoid arthritis are a prime example of this statement. Contrary to Osteoarthritis, symptoms of Rheumatoid arthritis can develop at any point in life. It is an autoimmune disease which is when the body attacks itself. The onset of this rheumatic arthritis signs and symptoms can occur as swiftly as weeks or months. Symptoms of Rheumatoid arthritis can be defined by whole-body symptoms and morning stiffness lasting longer than one hour as well as swollen, painful and stiff joints. It can also be characterized by its symmetrical effect on the body.

Whether age or the bodies' self-inflicted assault, arthritis is more detrimental than just the discomfort those afflicted endure. Those affected face a secondary concern, the economical pressure of their suffering. These conditions can prevent an otherwise healthy individual from being able to fulfill financial obligations by hindering in the completion of simple everyday workplace tasks. Even for those seeking treatment the time and money consumed by this task can be overwhelming. For the elderly or those more severely afflicted this can mean the difference between eating and just being able to get out of bed in the morning. Chronic arthritis symptoms can be just as devastating to our bodies as well as our economical situation.