Arthritis can attack youngsters as well as older people

Looking at a recent information sheet from Arthritis research UK it is surprising to me to realise just how much arthritis can attack youngsters!

Most people think of arthritis as a disease that attacks the elderly and whilst I was aware that some younger people suffered from it until I read this report I was not aware of just how wide spread the problem is.

You can’t think of these people in their teens or sometimes even younger wanting to use a riser recliner chair but even for them it may be helpful, or even a nice fireside chair with wooden knuckles to make it easier for them to push themselves up to a standing position.

It is surprising to learn that over 15000 young people have arthritis in one form or another and it can have such devastating effects on their life. The pain killers and drugs that they will need to take to offset their arthritic problems can have so many side affects.

Not only that but for those who get in to their teenage years and are on the exam trail can suddenly find that an arthritic ‘flare up’ can  disable them in such a way that they are  unable to do the work required, unfortunately a lot of teachers are not aware of the traumatic effect this can have on their students and so they do not always get the help  and understanding they might need.

I was reading of a young lady who  was due to take an art exam and had a ‘flare up’ the day before the exam that was so  bad that she was unable to hold the brush properly s destroying her chance in the exam.

Life is cruel when this sort of thing happens to a person of her age or younger even, I struggle nowadays with arthritic ankles and shoulders, I have had one knee replaced twice and my right hip has also been replaced and the left one is going, but at least I am an old man and have had a life before my arthritis really caused me to suffer.

For young people who are diagnosed with arthritis they are unfortunately only able to look forward to a life full of pain. Obviously it will vary from bearable to really intolerable but it will also mean for them a life on pain killers and other drugs which can have other side effects!

It really is a shame that arthritis can attack youngsters as well as old people.