The number of older adults with arthritis is growing and expected to double by 2030, but people can reduce their risk of getting the disease.

Arthritis is the leading cause of disability in the U.S., which currently affects 21 million adults age 65 and older. The Centers for Disease Control predicts that the number will double to 41.1 million by year 2030. Dr. Mark Francis, associate professor and chief of rheumatology at SIU School of Medicine in Springfield, says the most common type of arthritis affecting older adults is osteoarthritis. He explains how the disease affects people.

SOUND BITE: " . . . the main problem with osteoarthritis is that people lose the cartilage, the substance between the bones that allows for a good slide of the joints back and forth. People also get some thickening of the bone adjacent to those areas."

Dr. Francis says the symptoms of osteoarthritis include pain, stiffness and sometimes swelling. These symptoms are more noticeable when people first get up in the morning or after sitting for awhile. The most common group at risk for the disease is people over the age of 55. People who are overweight and inactive also are more likely to have osteoarthritis, particularly in the knees. He suggests losing weight and exercising to relieve the symptoms. He explains why exercise is important.

SOUND BITE: " . . . part of how cells within the cartilage get their nutrition is by movement of the joints and so that helps filter nutrition into the condricites that makes the substance that is between the joints. And studies show that if people are either too inactive or overly active, such as any good thing it can be overdone, ah that can damage the cartilage . . ."

Dr. Francis says other treatments for osteoarthritis include medications such as Acetaminophen, the medicine in Tylenol; prescription drugs with Cox II inhibitors such as Vioxx, Celebrax and Bextrum; and heat therapy. He recommends that people who are suffering from arthritis symptoms see their family doctor for an evaluation and treatment.