After a frustrating search for a diagnosis, Don Markham put some weight behind his treatment for ankylosing spondylitis. He's a big believer that working out can help with the physical pain and mental stress of this arthritis that mainly affects the spine.
"My life goal is to make AS a household name," Charis Hill says. They use their own powerful story to spread the word on this rare form of arthritis.
COVID-19 has changed how we manage our health. In spite of all the challenges, there are a lot of positive lessons we can take from this experience.
Do you have COVID-related pain that just won't go away? Get more information about treatment and coping strategies.
Osteoarthritis is a disease of the joints. Unlike many other forms of arthritis, such as rheumatoid arthritis and systemic lupus, osteoarthritis does not affect other organs of the body.
The most common symptom of osteoarthritis is pain in the affected joints after repetitive use. Joint pain is usually worse later in the day. There can be swelling, warmth, and creaking of the affected joints. Pain and stiffness of the joints can also occur after long periods of inactivity, for example, sitting in a theater. In severe osteoarthritis, complete loss of cartilage causes friction between bones, causing pain at rest or pain with limited motion.