Debunking Arthritis Myths

You can be “too young” to get arthritis. (Or, arthritis is just another part of aging.)

There are hundreds of thousands of children in America who have been diagnosed with juvenile arthritis (JA). Many were diagnosed as infants. And, while 1 in 4 adults in America has been diagnosed with arthritis, not everyone will be. It is increasingly common as we age, but not inevitable. 

Cracking your knuckles leads to arthritis. 

The simple answer is no. When we crack our knuckles, doctors think we’re getting nitrogen coming in and out of solution in our joints. It causes a little noise, which some may find annoying, but it's not damaging.

If you have joint pain, it must be arthritis.

Not necessarily. Lots of things cause joint pain, including the tendons and ligaments around the joint. Increasingly, a lot of people have pain that comes not only from the place that hurts, but also from the pain pathways in their bodies and pain circuitry.

Cold and damp weather makes arthritis worse.

Not quite. Weather certainly affects how we feel, but it doesn’t change the nature of arthritis or cause flare-ups. People with arthritis often report that they notice more pain when the weather changes. But even those in warm and dry climates feel arthritis pain. People may even move to these climates to feel better. But eventually they will recalibrate to their new climate, and changing weather can make them feel temporarily worse again.

Adopting a certain diet can cure your arthritis.

Not exactly. Diet can make a difference, but it’s different for everyone. No one diet is going to be good for everyone across the board, because we all have different genetic backgrounds and might respond differently. A healthy diet can improve overall health, including arthritis symptoms, but there’s no cure-all. 

If you have arthritis, you shouldn't exercise or use your joints.

Definitely not. Movement is medicine! Just make sure you know your limits and that you're not going to cause more pain for yourself. Exercise won’t cure arthritis, either. But the stronger your muscles are, the better you and your joints are going to feel.

You can just take over-the-counter medications to treat arthritis pain. 

It’s a mixed bag. Over-the-counter medications like acetaminophen, ibuprofen or naproxen are generally pretty safe and helpful when taken as indicated, but not 100% safe. Acetaminophen overdoses are dangerous — and potentially fatal. Ibuprofen and naproxen are very similar to lower dosages of prescription medications and can also be dangerous when misused. Pay attention to dosages and medication instructions and talk to your doctor if you have any questions.

The side effects from taking arthritis medications are worse than arthritis.

Again, you and your doctor should discuss which medications make the most sense for you, especially if you are experiencing side effects. If you let arthritis get out of control, it takes its toll on you and can be debilitating. The reality is, with the medications in use now, many people don't get side effects. It can be trial and error, so talk to your doctor to find the best options that are right for you.

If you have arthritis, you can't have kids.

It’s not true that you can't have kids. But you do need to plan around it. Some arthritis medications are not safe in pregnancy or while trying to get pregnant. So, potential mothers should be aware of that. One serious consideration is not to go into pregnancy when your disease is really active, because it’s not good for the mother or the baby.