According to Marla Ahlgrimm, there is some debate as to why women are more susceptible to certain autoimmune diseases, but most experts agree that hormones, biology, genetics, and environmental factors all play a role. Lifestyle choices such as smoking also contribute to a woman’s risk of developing arthritis. While thought to be a disease of age, arthritis can actually strike at any time, with lupus – a systemic form of arthritis – often developing during a woman’s childbearing years. Marla Ahlgrimm also says that women who are active in sports may be more prone to arthritis as ACL injuries are common in this demographic.
There are more than 100 different forms of arthritis affecting greater than 27 million people worldwide. Each of these has different nuances that make them unique, but all forms of arthritis share a few similar traits, the most dominant being joint pain and tenderness. Swelling and visible redness are also common, says Marla Ahlgrimm. In the earliest stages of rheumatoid arthritis, the joints of the hands and feet become more difficult to move and present with discomfort and swelling in the ankles, knees, elbows, and hips as the disease progresses. Osteoarthritis is slower-developing and characterized by the loss of flexibility in the joints.
Arthritis may have more of an emotional impact on women. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, young women suffering with arthritis tend to worry about their financial security, social status, and quality of life. There is no definitive cure for arthritis and there are many uncontrollable risk factors. Marla Ahlgrimm suggest that women at risk maintain a healthy weight, forgo smoking, avoid excessive alcohol intake, and protect their joints during sports or other high-impact activities.
