health for your

other tissue in the body, cartilage can’t regrow, and when too much cartilage is lost, symptoms of osteoarthritis—pain, stiffness and swelling—can result. Symptoms generally appear after age 40, often in the hands, hips and knees.

The most common type of arthritis, OA affects an estimated 27 million American adults. More than two-thirds of people will have degenerative joint changes by age 70, says Costco member Imran Iqbal, M.D., a rheumatolo-gist with Methodist Charlton Medical Center in Dallas, Texas. Today’s longer life spans and higher rates of obesity (a risk factor for OA) mean that stressed joints must perform longer, putting more people at risk, he says.

“There’s no substitute for a complete family history and medical exam,” says Costco member Nathan Wei, M.D., clinical director of the Arthritis Treatment Center in Frederick, Maryland. In addition to a family history and a physical examination, a doctor may use laboratory tests, X-rays and MRI tests to determine the extent of joint damage.

There’s no known cure for OA, though emerging research is paving the way for new treatments in which patients may be able to retain and even regrow cartilage in arthritic joints. But for now, common treatments include nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory pain relievers such as ibuprofen, combined with exercise and lifestyle modifications, such as weight loss to reduce joint strain.

Once frowned upon for OA patients, exercise is now viewed as essential for successful treatment. “Exercise is as important as medication,” says Wei. Low-impact forms of exercise such as swimming, resistance training and stretching are ideal.

MEDIA BAKERY

Understanding
arthritis A closer look at America’s leading cause of disability
By Malia Jacobson

THE CASUAL OBSERVER would never guess that Costco member Tony Bonuccelli, 32, has arthritis. A grade-school music teacher in Moscow, Idaho, Bonuccelli spends his days keeping the beat with active students. Many nights and weekends, he can be found enthusiastically leading the school band at sports events. But before he was diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis in 2009, mysterious foot pain and joint swelling nearly sidelined the easygoing young musician.

Like Bonuccelli, arthritis defies stereotypes. That’s because arthritis is not a singular, specific disease: There are more than 150 different types of arthritis in existence, affecting more than 50 million Americans and counting. Cases are expected to reach 67 million by 2030, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

Arthritis—a general term for conditions
affecting the joints and surrounding tissues—
is the most common cause of disability in the
United States, limiting mobility for 21 million
Americans. But thanks to advances in under-
standing and treating arthritis, many patients
like Bonuccelli are able to live full lives free of
disabling pain.

Osteoarthritis

More than half of arthritis-related hospitalizations stem from OA. This degenerative form of “wear-and-tear” arthritis occurs as cartilage is worn down over time. Unlike

 

The Costco Connection Costco members will find anti-inflammatory pain relievers, heat wraps and exercise items at their local Costco and can fill prescriptions at the Costco pharmacy.

MAY 2012 ;e Costco Connection 45

CONTINUED ON PAGE 49

Rheumatoid arthritis

Rheumatoid arthritis is an autoimmune disease that causes chronic joint inflammation and a wide range of symptoms, from pain, joint swelling and weakness to weight loss and low-grade fever. RA and OA are quite different, says Costco member Philip J. Mease, M.D., director of rheumatology research at Swedish Medical Center in Seattle: “Osteoarthritis is a more natural process [of] cartilage loss, while rheumatoid arthritis is a specific disease state caused by abnormal immune system function.”