1. Arthritis

2. What Is Arthritis?
Arthritis is a disease that affects the joints and various organs
There are over 100 different types of arthritis that are known
Some of the types are: Ankylosing Spondylitis, Gout, Juvenile Arthritis, Osteoarthritis, Psoriatic Arthritis, Reactive Arthritis, and Rheumatoid Arthritis
There are many subcategories under the types (I.E. polyarticular, idiopathic, etc.)

3. What Does It Affect?
The systems it affects are: Skeletal, Immune, Skin, Eyes, Respiratory, Circulatory, Kidney, and Nervous
The symptoms in these various systems can range from harmless to deadly
Some arthritis medications can have terrible symptoms

4. What Can Happen To The Systems?
In the skeletal system: aches and pains, bone thinning, cartilage degradation
In the immune system: sickness comes more easily and hits harder and longer
In the skin: lumps of tissue (nodules) can form under the skin, rashes can occur
In the eyes: Inflammation, loss of sight, scarring, dryness. Medicine can cause glaucoma and cataracts
In the mouth: Dryness
In the lungs: inflammation, scarring, nodules. Methotrexate (medication) can cause methotrexate pneumonia
In the kidneys: medication can cause kidney failure
In the heart: Anemia, felty syndrome
In the nervous system: pinched or compressed nerves

5. Diagnostic Tests Used
They use your medical and family history as insight
They perform a physical examination
They test your blood
They test fluid from the joints
They can use X-Rays, Ultrasounds and MRI's

6. What Can Be Done To Prevent/Manage Arthritis?
Eating lots of omega 3s (fish, Omega 3 pills, etc.)
Controlling your weight
Exercising and staying fit
Avoiding injury and high stress sports (Football, Rugby, Etc.)
Regular doctors visits to check up
Medications
Physiotherapy
Orthotics 

7. What Are The Signs and Symptoms of Arthritis?
Joint pain
Swelling
Stiffness
Unexplained fatigue
Sense of illness
Longer lasting illness

8. What Are The Main Causes of Arthritis?
Genetics 
Joint wear and tear
Auto immune disorder
ARTHRITIS IS NOT CONTAGIOUS!

9. What Does Arthritis Do To The Body Overtime?
Causes degradation of the joints
Extreme pain when moving
Inability to straighten certain joints
Reduced flexibility

10. Interesting Facts And Stats
1-5 Canadians live with arthritis
It is the leading cause of disability in the U.S.
Women are more likely then men to be diagnosed with arthritis
In % of Canadians reported a diagnosis of arthritis
Certain types of arthritis, such as osteoarthritis are more common with age
Olympic snowboarder Spencer Obrien has arthritis

11. For more information on arthritis and arthritis related events and fundraisers please visit:  tis.ca/

12. Works Cited
“Arthritis.” Statcan.gc.ca, 28 Sept. 2016,
Macon, Brindles Lee, and Lauren Reed-Guy. “Arthritis: Causes, Signs, and Diagnosis.” Edited by Natalie Butler, Healthline, Healthline Media, 14 Aug. 2017,
Watson, Natalie. “Arthritis Prevention: What Can You Do?” Healthline, Healthline Media,
Dunkin, Mary Anne. “More Than Just Joints: How Rheumatoid Arthritis Affects the Rest of Your Body.”  Arthritis Foundation, arthritis/articles/rhemuatoid-arthritis-affects-body.php.
“NIAMS Health Information on Arthritis.” National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, 21 Mar. 2018, topics/arthritis#tab-types.
“Rheumatoid Arthritis Medications: DMARDS, NSAIDs and More.” Healthline, Healthline Media,
“Diagnosing Arthritis.”  arthritis/diagnosing-arthritis.php.