IT STARTS WITH swelling in the joints, stiffness in the morning around the knees, wrists and knuckles. Untreated, arthritis can go on to cause intense pain, immobility, fatigue and depression. With this in mind, Arthritis Ireland this week launched a national helpline to provide emotional and practical support and information for those affected by arthritis.

Endorsed by author Maeve Binchy, who admits that arthritis “can often result in a greatly reduced quality of life”, the confidential helpline will be manned by people who are themselves living with the condition.

One in six Irish people are affected by arthritis. The majority of these suffer from osteoarthritis, which is commonly related to the ageing process and the wearing down of joints. There are, however, more than 100 different types of arthritis, some of which can affect people of all ages from infancy upwards. These include rheumatoid arthritis, a severe inflammatory form of the disease which can occur at any age and currently affects some 40,000 Irish people.

For many of these, the disease can have a drastic impact. According to Arthritis Ireland, 70 per cent of people with arthritis who don’t work full-time say that this is due to their condition. Although there are many theories about the triggers of arthritis, there is no definitive consensus on its causes. Although it can be debilitating the key is early intervention.

“It’s very important that anyone who thinks they might have arthritis should talk to their GP and get appropriate treatment,” says Sarah Gahan, communications manager with the organisation.

Beyond medical treatment, there is also the question of emotional and psychological support. “Often people who have arthritis feel that they shouldn’t be complaining, that they shouldn’t be as affected as they are, and they might not want to talk to others about it for fear of seeming that they are overstating things,” says Gahan.

To combat such thinking, Arthritis Ireland set up its helpline earlier this week.

“We found that when people ring up and talk to volunteers who have arthritis, the response is one of empathy and understanding,” Gahan says. “They have experienced the same issues to do with looking for support, trying to manage energy levels, trying to talk to others about how it affects you, and the financial concern that can often come with having a chronic illness.”

There are also ways, she stresses, that sufferers can help themselves after diagnosis. “There is a lot that you can do to live positively with arthritis. It doesn’t need to end your life as you know it if you deal with it correctly and seek the right support.”

Practical steps include taking regular exercise and maintaining a healthy diet, as well as keeping weight down to ensure that excess pressure is not put on the joints.

“What we encourage people to be aware of – and this is reinforced through the helpline – is that they accept they are the most important people in controlling their condition,” says Gahan. “ for people to prepare for appointments with the health professionals, make sure they are asking the right questions and taking notes on what they’re told, to ensure that they are taking their medication correctly and that they know what medication they’re taking. To know that they can ask for support and they know where to go for support.”

The helpline is open from 10am to 4pm, Monday to Friday, on Lo-Call 1890-252846.

FACTS AND FIGURES

714,000: The estimated number of Irish people affected by arthritis.

30: The percentage of GP visits that relate to arthritis.

60: The percentage of people with arthritis who are under 65 years old.

18: The percentage of arthritis patients who are under 55 years old.

90: The percentage of people with arthritis affected by osteoarthritis.

70: The percentage of rheumatoid arthritis patients who are women.

1 in 1,000: The number of children affected by arthritis.