Arthritis: What's your risk?

Many factors influence your likelihood of developing arthritis.

Heredity: If you have grandparents, parents or siblings with the condition, your chances are higher.
Biology: Your hormones, genes, weight, age and gender react with each other in ways that may make you more or less vulnerable to arthritis. For example, even if you have relatives with the condition, you may have a protective gene that decreases your chances of developing it. Or perhaps your family members who have arthritis are overweight, which can put stress on the joints. If you keep your weight under control, you may be able to avoid or put off arthritis.
Environment: Sitting at a desk all day with bad posture, repeatedly using your wrists without a break, putting so much stress and strain on a joint that you injure it -- these are environmental factors that may increase your chances of developing arthritis.

If you're at risk of getting arthritis, talk to your doctor about what can be done to help you avoid or delay the disease.