A team of therapists of the National Clinical Hospital hold free consultations on articulation diseases in Europe Square of the central park of Chisinau. The people are told about the risk factors that can lead to disease, the first symptoms and the consequences, IPN reports.

Rheumatologist Liliana Groppa said the articulation diseases are not met only in elderly people. “Prophylaxis methods should be employed from an early age. The people must do physical exercises and eat healthily,” she stated.

The disease is most often caused by alcohol, coffee, smoking, stress, hypertension and excess of cholesterol. “We warn the people about the importance of going to the doctor on time as the disease can cause disability. If the patients do not follow complex treatment, they can become disabled in 15-20 years,” said the doctor.

The first symptoms of the disease are the pain and inflammation of joints. The treatment must be initiated in the first three months of the appearance of the symptoms or there may appear complications.

The number of people suffering from arthritis has increased. According to statistical data, 50% of the persons aged 50 suffer from articulation diseases, while at the age of 60 the percentage rises to 70%. 5% of children younger than 10, 10% of teens and 20% of grownups have arthritis.