Although the aches, pains and creaking joints of arthritis are usually associated with old age, this disease can affect people at any age. Even children can suffer from it; Arthritis Ireland believes at least 1,000 Irish children are affected with the juvenile form of the condition. Arthritis is also far more prevalent than many people realise – one in six Irish people is afflicted with one of the 100-plus forms of arthritis.

The most common form of the disease is osteoarthritis, which is degenerative or ‘wear and tear’ arthritis. It tends to mostly affect the over-55s. “People can develop osteoarthritis from their 30s onwards,” according to Nicola Mullen of Arthritis Ireland, “but it’s most common in older people. As you get older, you will invariably develop some form of osteoarthritis.”

About 40,000 Irish people suffer from rheumatoid arthritis, the severe inflammatory form of the disease. “This can affect people at any age,” says Mullen. “The mean age of rheumatoid arthritis sufferers is 35 and 70 per cent of them are women.”

Other forms of arthritis include gout, psoriatic arthritis and ankylosing spondylitis.

The exact cause of arthritis is unknown but there may be a genetic predisposition to inflammatory arthritis. Arthritis is often chronic or long-term. Some forms of arthritis tend to flare up at times, meaning symptoms get markedly worse, but may then go into remission, when symptoms fade or disappear completely for a time.

So how do you know if you are suffering from arthritis? The key signs of the disease are being stiff early in the morning; having swollen joints or recurring pain, tenderness or obvious redness in any joint; the inability to move a joint normally; and unexplained weight loss, fever or weakness combined with joint pain.

If you suspect you have some form of arthritis, you should consult your GP. They will refer you to a rheumatologist if inflammatory arthritis is suspected. In the case of osteoarthritis, the GP may refer you to a physiotherapist or occupational therapist and will certainly recommend an improved diet and exercise.

“With arthritis, exercise is really important,” says Mullen. “People think that, because their joints are sore, they should not exercise but that is one of the worst things you can do. Much of the pain with arthritis comes from the muscles around the joint having to compensate because the joint is damaged. Exercise helps to strengthen the muscles and, over time, can help to smooth cartilage, which should also ease the pain.”

Treatment may include rest and exercise; physiotherapy and/or occupational therapy; ultrasound; heat or cold treatments; drugs such as NSAIDs (nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs) and corticosteroids; and/or dietary supplements, such as fish oils. In severe cases, patients may need surgery, such as a hip or knee replacement.

Maintaining a healthy, balanced diet is important to keep any form of arthritis under control or prevent the onset of osteoarthritis. Being overweight is a critical contributor to osteoarthritis as it means extra pressure is put on weight-bearing joints such as hips and knees. “A person who is overweight is four times more likely to suffer from osteoarthritis,” says Mullen. “As society is getting heavier, this form of arthritis is going to become a much bigger problem.”

Give yourself a fighting chance against osteoarthritis by cutting back on fat and sugar, increasing your intake of fruit and vegetables and making sure you consume enough calcium to keep bones healthy.