Frequently asked questions

We would like to be able to offer new activities in the near future, such as fitness adapted exercises in the pool at the Brossard aquatic centre and training sessions on I’m taking charge of my arthritis, in addition to the services already in place, such as adapted fitness classes in the gym, self-help meetings, workshops, conferences, information booths, etc. We invite you to let us know what your needs are by sending an email to info@arthriterivesud.org .

Arthritis is a term that covers more than 100 diseases characterised by inflammation of joints and other parts of the body. Inflammation is a medical term for pain, stiffness, redness and swelling. If left unchecked, inflammation can cause significant, often permanent, damage to the affected areas, resulting in poor function and disability.

There are two main types of arthritis: inflammatory arthritis and osteoarthritis. Arthritis is a chronic disease, which means that it affects people continuously, permanently or recurrently for periods ranging from several months to a lifetime.

Source : https://arthritis.ca/about-arthritis/what-is-arthritis

Osteoarthritis is a progressive disease of the entire joints, most commonly affecting the joints of the hands, feet, hips, knees and spine, although almost any joint can be affected. It was once thought that osteoarthritis was caused by the wear and tear associated with aging. It is now known that osteoarthritis is the result of the body’s inability to repair joint tissues that are damaged due to abnormal joint loading, joint injuries and obesity. Osteoarthritis is more common in older people and, for reasons still unknown, even more common in women. Genetic factors are also involved, although not all are known and understood. All these factors can cause inflammation and degradation of the joint cartilage and underlying bone. Osteoarthritis is a common cause of joint pain and can lead to reduced range of motion and mobility of joints.

Arthritis is serious. It is the most common chronic disease in Canada. If left untreated, it can cause significant, often permanent, damage to joints and sometimes even to the skin, organs and other parts of the body. This damage will in turn lead to pain, fatigue, poor function and disability that could significantly reduce your quality of life. Most forms of arthritis are incurable, so once you have been diagnosed with arthritis, you never get rid of the disease.

Source : https://arthritis.ca/about-arthritis/what-is-arthritis/arthritis-facts-and-figures

Your doctor will be able to make a diagnosis based on your medical history, physical examination and diagnostic tests, including blood tests and X-rays. Early diagnosis is essential for successful treatment, so if you think you have symptoms of arthritis, it is very important to talk to your doctor as soon as possible to get a diagnosis.

Source : https://arthritis.ca/about-arthritis/what-is-arthritis/arthritis-facts-and-figures

Arthritis affects people of all ages, from babies to adults, and once you have it, it’s for life.

Today, one in five Canadians has arthritis, a disease that affects men, women, girls and boys of all ages and backgrounds. Although arthritis mainly affects adults, it can also affect children. However, genetics, age and lifestyle are factors that can increase the risk of developing arthritis. One in two people aged 65 and over has the disease.

Source : https://arthritis.ca/about-arthritis/what-is-arthritis/arthritis-facts-and-figures

Each form of arthritis has its own risk factors, some of which we cannot control (non-modifiable risk factors) and some of which we can control (modifiable risk factors). The most common risk factors for developing arthritis include the following.

Non-modifiable risk factors

• Age– The risk of developing most forms of arthritis increases with age.
• Sexe – Most forms of arthritis are more common in women, with almost 60% of all people with arthritis being female. However, more men than women live with ankylosing spondylitis and gout.
• Genetique– Some genes are associated with an increased risk of various forms of arthritis, such as rheumatoid arthritis, systemic lupus erythematosus and ankylosing spondylitis.

Modifiable risk factors

• Physical inactivity– Physical inactivity is associated with increased severity and accelerated progression of many forms of arthritis.
• Overweight and obesity– Being overweight can contribute to both the onset and progression of osteoarthritis of the knee and hip.
• Joint injuries– Damage to a joint can contribute to the development of osteoarthritis in that area.
• Smoking– Smoking affects the progression and severity of rheumatoid arthritis and systemic lupus erythematosus.
• Infection– Many microbial agents can affect the joints and potentially cause various forms of arthritis.
• Jobs– Some jobs that require repetitive knee bending and squatting are linked to knee and hip osteoarthritis.
• Diet– Diet plays an important role in maintaining a healthy weight, which is a key factor in preventing the disease and slowing its progression. It is also a recognised risk factor in the development and management of gout.

Source : https://arthritis.ca/about-arthritis/arthritis-risk-factors

Main forms of arthritis

• Infectious arthritis
• Inflammatory arthritis
• Juvenile arthritis
• Psoriatic arthritis
• Reactive arthritis
• Osteoarthritis
• Mixed connectivity (Sharp’s syndrome)
• Fibromyalgia
• Gout
• Granulomatosis with polyangiitis (GPA)
• Systemic lupus erythematosus
• Behçet’s disease
• Forestier and Rotès-Querol disease
• Paget’s disease
• Still’s disease
• Myositis (dermatomyositis, polymyositis)
• Raynaud’s phenomenon
• Rheumatoid arthritis
• Pseudogout
• Rhizomelic pseudopolyarthritis
• Ankylosing spondylitis
• Felty’s syndrome
• Sjögren’s syndrome

Source : https://arthritis.ca/about-arthritis/arthritis-types-(a-z)

What about diet and arthritis?

• Unfortunately, diet cannot cure arthritis. However, research suggests that certain types of food can help manage the symptoms. In addition, a balanced diet helps to maintain a healthy weight, which increases energy levels and reduces stress on the joints. Aim for a nutrient-dense, low-calorie diet with a focus on whole grains, fruits, vegetables, lean protein sources and low-fat dairy products.
• There are more than a hundred types of arthritis and there is no universal diet that works for everyone. People with rheumatoid arthritis (RA), for example, tend to benefit from foods rich in omega-3 fatty acids and may have difficulty managing their symptoms if they are underweight. People with gout can reduce the risk of flare-ups by reducing their consumption of red meat and alcohol.

Source : https://arthritis.ca/living-well/2018/your-good-food-guide

• The first step to improving your health is to follow the advice of the Canada’s Food Guide. It is a comprehensive tool designed to help people get the most essential nutrients from the foods they eat every day.

Source : https://food-guide.canada.ca/en/

• Staying hydrated is vital when you have arthritis. Good hydration is essential for eliminating toxins, which can help fight inflammation. In addition, well-hydrated cartilage reduces friction between bones, helping you move more easily.

Source: Arthritis Foundation, « Best Beverages for Arthritis »

What about physical activity?

• Physical activity includes a variety of activities that we do at home, at work and in our leisure time, which help to increase our strength, energy levels and flexibility. It can include exercise, such as swimming or working out in a gym, but also daily activities such as gardening, walking and housework.
• Research shows that people with arthritis can do not only light stretching and strengthening exercises, but also more strenuous endurance activities without significant risk. A physiotherapist or other exercise professional can help you assess your needs.
• Our joints play a role in everything we do and in every movement we make. When arthritis causes pain, stiffness and joint swelling, we can feel paralysed. Taking care of our joints and moving them properly is the number one priority of any arthritis treatment plan.

Source : https://arthritis.ca/support-education/online-learning

• The benefits of increased physical activity: Did you know that by moving, you are in a way feeding your joints? Cartilage depends on joint movement to stay hydrated, absorb nutrients and eliminate waste. With regular exercise, cartilage, ligaments, muscles and bones also gain strength and resilience.

Physical activity and exercise thus help to maintain joint health and reduce pain. Regular physical activity or exercise can :

• Reduce pain
• Increase muscle strength and endurance
• Strengthening bones
• Improve the condition of your joints
• Increase range of motion and reduce stiffness
• Increasing the ability to carry out daily activities
• Improving balance
• Reducing the risk of falls
• Improving self-esteem
• Promote a healthy weight, resulting in reduced pressure on the joints
• Improve the ability to manage emotional stress
• Mood enhancement
• Reduce the risk of developing other chronic diseases, such as heart disease and stroke, lung disease, circulatory disorders, type 2 diabetes, hypertension and osteoporosis
• Improve physical fitness
• Reduce fatigue
• Promoting sleep

Source : https://arthritis.ca/support-education/online-learning/staying-active/active-joint-protection?_gl=1*97c2rr*_ga*MTMwNDkxNjI5NS4xNjI5OTIwNTg0*_ga_BK6PB3B7SP*MTY0NTE1ODQ3MS43MC4xLjE2NDUxNjEzMDIuMjA.

We would like to be able to offer new activities in the near future, such as fitness adapted exercises in the pool at the Brossard aquatic centre and training sessions on I’m taking charge of my arthritis, in addition to the services already in place, such as adapted fitness classes in the gym, self-help meetings, workshops, conferences, information booths, etc. We invite you to let us know what your needs are by sending an email to info@arthriterivesud.org .

Arthritis is a term that covers more than 100 diseases characterised by inflammation of joints and other parts of the body. Inflammation is a medical term for pain, stiffness, redness and swelling. If left unchecked, inflammation can cause significant, often permanent, damage to the affected areas, resulting in poor function and disability.

There are two main types of arthritis: inflammatory arthritis and osteoarthritis. Arthritis is a chronic disease, which means that it affects people continuously, permanently or recurrently for periods ranging from several months to a lifetime.

Source : https://arthritis.ca/about-arthritis/what-is-arthritis

Osteoarthritis is a progressive disease of the entire joints, most commonly affecting the joints of the hands, feet, hips, knees and spine, although almost any joint can be affected. It was once thought that osteoarthritis was caused by the wear and tear associated with aging. It is now known that osteoarthritis is the result of the body’s inability to repair joint tissues that are damaged due to abnormal joint loading, joint injuries and obesity. Osteoarthritis is more common in older people and, for reasons still unknown, even more common in women. Genetic factors are also involved, although not all are known and understood. All these factors can cause inflammation and degradation of the joint cartilage and underlying bone. Osteoarthritis is a common cause of joint pain and can lead to reduced range of motion and mobility of joints.

Arthritis is serious. It is the most common chronic disease in Canada. If left untreated, it can cause significant, often permanent, damage to joints and sometimes even to the skin, organs and other parts of the body. This damage will in turn lead to pain, fatigue, poor function and disability that could significantly reduce your quality of life. Most forms of arthritis are incurable, so once you have been diagnosed with arthritis, you never get rid of the disease.

Source : https://arthritis.ca/about-arthritis/what-is-arthritis/arthritis-facts-and-figures

Your doctor will be able to make a diagnosis based on your medical history, physical examination and diagnostic tests, including blood tests and X-rays. Early diagnosis is essential for successful treatment, so if you think you have symptoms of arthritis, it is very important to talk to your doctor as soon as possible to get a diagnosis.

Source : https://arthritis.ca/about-arthritis/what-is-arthritis/arthritis-facts-and-figures

Arthritis affects people of all ages, from babies to adults, and once you have it, it’s for life.

Today, one in five Canadians has arthritis, a disease that affects men, women, girls and boys of all ages and backgrounds. Although arthritis mainly affects adults, it can also affect children. However, genetics, age and lifestyle are factors that can increase the risk of developing arthritis. One in two people aged 65 and over has the disease.

Source : https://arthritis.ca/about-arthritis/what-is-arthritis/arthritis-facts-and-figures

Each form of arthritis has its own risk factors, some of which we cannot control (non-modifiable risk factors) and some of which we can control (modifiable risk factors). The most common risk factors for developing arthritis include the following.

Non-modifiable risk factors

• Age– The risk of developing most forms of arthritis increases with age.
• Sexe – Most forms of arthritis are more common in women, with almost 60% of all people with arthritis being female. However, more men than women live with ankylosing spondylitis and gout.
• Genetique– Some genes are associated with an increased risk of various forms of arthritis, such as rheumatoid arthritis, systemic lupus erythematosus and ankylosing spondylitis.

Modifiable risk factors

• Physical inactivity– Physical inactivity is associated with increased severity and accelerated progression of many forms of arthritis.
• Overweight and obesity– Being overweight can contribute to both the onset and progression of osteoarthritis of the knee and hip.
• Joint injuries– Damage to a joint can contribute to the development of osteoarthritis in that area.
• Smoking– Smoking affects the progression and severity of rheumatoid arthritis and systemic lupus erythematosus.
• Infection– Many microbial agents can affect the joints and potentially cause various forms of arthritis.
• Jobs– Some jobs that require repetitive knee bending and squatting are linked to knee and hip osteoarthritis.
• Diet– Diet plays an important role in maintaining a healthy weight, which is a key factor in preventing the disease and slowing its progression. It is also a recognised risk factor in the development and management of gout.

Source : https://arthritis.ca/about-arthritis/arthritis-risk-factors

Main forms of arthritis

• Infectious arthritis
• Inflammatory arthritis
• Juvenile arthritis
• Psoriatic arthritis
• Reactive arthritis
• Osteoarthritis
• Mixed connectivity (Sharp’s syndrome)
• Fibromyalgia
• Gout
• Granulomatosis with polyangiitis (GPA)
• Systemic lupus erythematosus
• Behçet’s disease
• Forestier and Rotès-Querol disease
• Paget’s disease
• Still’s disease
• Myositis (dermatomyositis, polymyositis)
• Raynaud’s phenomenon
• Rheumatoid arthritis
• Pseudogout
• Rhizomelic pseudopolyarthritis
• Ankylosing spondylitis
• Felty’s syndrome
• Sjögren’s syndrome

Source : https://arthritis.ca/about-arthritis/arthritis-types-(a-z)

What about diet and arthritis?

• Unfortunately, diet cannot cure arthritis. However, research suggests that certain types of food can help manage the symptoms. In addition, a balanced diet helps to maintain a healthy weight, which increases energy levels and reduces stress on the joints. Aim for a nutrient-dense, low-calorie diet with a focus on whole grains, fruits, vegetables, lean protein sources and low-fat dairy products.
• There are more than a hundred types of arthritis and there is no universal diet that works for everyone. People with rheumatoid arthritis (RA), for example, tend to benefit from foods rich in omega-3 fatty acids and may have difficulty managing their symptoms if they are underweight. People with gout can reduce the risk of flare-ups by reducing their consumption of red meat and alcohol.

Source : https://arthritis.ca/living-well/2018/your-good-food-guide

• The first step to improving your health is to follow the advice of the Canada’s Food Guide. It is a comprehensive tool designed to help people get the most essential nutrients from the foods they eat every day.

Source : https://food-guide.canada.ca/en/

• Staying hydrated is vital when you have arthritis. Good hydration is essential for eliminating toxins, which can help fight inflammation. In addition, well-hydrated cartilage reduces friction between bones, helping you move more easily.

Source: Arthritis Foundation, « Best Beverages for Arthritis »

What about physical activity?

• Physical activity includes a variety of activities that we do at home, at work and in our leisure time, which help to increase our strength, energy levels and flexibility. It can include exercise, such as swimming or working out in a gym, but also daily activities such as gardening, walking and housework.
• Research shows that people with arthritis can do not only light stretching and strengthening exercises, but also more strenuous endurance activities without significant risk. A physiotherapist or other exercise professional can help you assess your needs.
• Our joints play a role in everything we do and in every movement we make. When arthritis causes pain, stiffness and joint swelling, we can feel paralysed. Taking care of our joints and moving them properly is the number one priority of any arthritis treatment plan.

Source : https://arthritis.ca/support-education/online-learning

• The benefits of increased physical activity: Did you know that by moving, you are in a way feeding your joints? Cartilage depends on joint movement to stay hydrated, absorb nutrients and eliminate waste. With regular exercise, cartilage, ligaments, muscles and bones also gain strength and resilience.

Physical activity and exercise thus help to maintain joint health and reduce pain. Regular physical activity or exercise can :

• Reduce pain
• Increase muscle strength and endurance
• Strengthening bones
• Improve the condition of your joints
• Increase range of motion and reduce stiffness
• Increasing the ability to carry out daily activities
• Improving balance
• Reducing the risk of falls
• Improving self-esteem
• Promote a healthy weight, resulting in reduced pressure on the joints
• Improve the ability to manage emotional stress
• Mood enhancement
• Reduce the risk of developing other chronic diseases, such as heart disease and stroke, lung disease, circulatory disorders, type 2 diabetes, hypertension and osteoporosis
• Improve physical fitness
• Reduce fatigue
• Promoting sleep

Source : https://arthritis.ca/support-education/online-learning/staying-active/active-joint-protection?_gl=1*97c2rr*_ga*MTMwNDkxNjI5NS4xNjI5OTIwNTg0*_ga_BK6PB3B7SP*MTY0NTE1ODQ3MS43MC4xLjE2NDUxNjEzMDIuMjA.