The information available about arthritis is quite contradicting and it’s difficult to keep track of what’s true and what’s not.

You must have heard a lot of things about arthritis. Some may be true while others may be completely wrong. Following are 10 myths about arthritis with some facts that are likely to reduce your confusions.

Myth#1: Arthritis is hereditary.

It is very rare that this disease gets transferred from parents to child directly. However, some types of arthritis are found more in some families.

Myth#2: Arthritis is pure bone-disease.

This is not completely true. Although the major target of this disease is bones and joints, but patients may also experience low fever, get more tired and feel unwell.

Myth#3: Arthritis diseases are always “gouty” diseases.

Gout is only one type of arthritis in which urate crystals are formed in joints. These attacks are felt suddenly and are very much painful. Whereas, other forms of arthritis affect the patient slowly and gradually and reason behind this is not formation of urate crystals.

Myth#4: Particular food items cause arthritis and rheumatism for example, internal organs of animals, nuts, dairy foods and acidic foods like tomatoes.

There is no proof that specific food items cause general arthritis. However, gout is associated with food that has high purines which is found in internal organs of animals in high volume.

Myth#5: Aging is the reason behind Arthritis and Rheumatism

Arthritis is of various forms, some of which can occur any time. Osteoarthritis is one type of arthritis that affects people as they get old.

Myth#6: Arthritis is a gender specific disease and only females get affected

Females are likely to develop certain types of arthritis more than males. These types include lupus, or rheumatoid arthritis. However, gout or ankylosing spondylitis is type of arthritis that affects males more. So it makes men and women both equally likely to develop arthritis.

Myth#7: Arthritis doesn’t affect children

Arthritis is not caused at any particular age and even children can get affected by some specific types of this disease. However, arthritis is a disease that is more common in people of old age.

Myth#8: One cannot prevent arthritis.

Nobody knows what actually causes arthritis, but your chances of getting arthritis will be low if you exercise regularly and maintain your body weight. You can also avoid this disease by protecting your joints against chronic stress which is cause by over-use. There are some measures that are beneficial for arthritis sufferers. An example would be of change in lifestyle to save joints from deterioration.

Myth#9: Arthritis sufferers should not undergo physical activities and exercises

Tough physical activities are at times very painful for arthritis sufferers. But, mild exercises help people to maintain their joins integrity and mobility. Exercising in water had proven to be better than normal exercise as it reduces pressure on joints that bear weight. One should contact his/her doctor to get information on right exercises.

Myth#10: Joint injections are actually not beneficial for joints.

These injections are harmful only if they are over used. Normal intake of injections of corticosteroids in joints is helpful in controlling local inflammation is specific joints that have pain.