Arthritis is a painful and debilitating disease affecting people all around the globe. The most common manifestations of the condition are joint inflammation and pain. At times the pain can be extreme and debilitating, making even the most routine activities impossible chores. Although the disease cannot be cured (as of yet) the symptoms can be treated.

There are many arthritis risk factors that make one more likely to develop the disease. There are actually more than 100 different forms of the condition and unfortunately most people are unaware of arthritis risk factors. By learning about arthritis risk factors and what you can do to help reduce your chances of developing the disease, you have a much better chance of leading a pain free life.

Medical researchers have pinpointed four main arthritis risk factors which are non-modifiable. This means that no matter what you do, you cannot change or protect yourself against these arthritis risk factors. These four unchanging arthritis risk factors are as follows: age, gender, ethnicity and genetics.

Gender is to some, a surprising arthritis risk factor, but studies have shown that women are more likely to develop the condition than men. In fact, women are even more likely to develop more than one form of arthritis than men. This is not to say that if you are a man, then you can ignore the arthritis risk factors.

Age is one of the biggest arthritis risk factors, and that comes as no surprise to most. As the body ages, the bones and joints become worn and all too often the cartilage begins to degenerate causing painful arthritic symptoms. This arthritis risk factor increases dramatically after the age of forty. This is why it is so important to be aware of this arthritis risk factor, and begin to protect yourself against the disease as you approach your 40th birthday.

Studies have shown that ethnicity is another arthritis risk factor that cannot be altered. Although, this arthritis risk factor is marginal since arthritis occurs all over the world. The fourth and final of the un-modifiable arthritis risk factors is genetics. This means that a person is more likely to develop arthritis if there is a family history of the condition.

Of course, there are some arthritis risk factors that you can control. These include things like weight, diet, and exercise. Exercise is important to keep your joints flexible and muscles strong. Strong muscles surrounding the joints and bones help support the joints making them less likely to develop arthritis. Weight is a major arthritis risk factor heavier people put more pressure and stress on their joints and are more prone to arthritis in the legs and feet. Another two arthritis risk factors are joint damage from an injury, and infection.

Now that you know a bit more about arthritis risk factors, you can take steps to protect yourself from developing the disease.

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