Older Age
The causes of arthritis often overlap. For example, older age is a factor that causes bone cartilage to become brittle and reduces its capacity to self-repair. For most people, arthritis begins around the age of 40 or 50, but in some people, the onset of the disease could be earlier, as there are more than 100 forms of arthritis. Some children can have arthritis, too.
Right now, the most commonly identified cause of disability among older adults is arthritis. It is more common in men who are in their mid-40s. However, it becomes more common in women in their late 40s.
The symptoms of arthritis range from mild pain and stiffness that comes and goes to pain that could also be very severe at times. People with osteoarthritis usually experience joint tenderness, swelling, and pain. They could feel stiff when they get out of bed and hear the sound of bone rubbing on bone and a crunching feeling. But some people do not feel any pain even if they have osteoarthritis.
Osteoarthritis only affects the joints. Older people will often feel joint pain and swelling in their hands, neck, lower back, and the joints that bear most of a person’s weight, such as the knees, feet, and hips.
