Final answer:
The most common age-related disease is arthritis, specifically osteoarthritis (OA), which is primarily caused by wear and tear on the joints as a person ages. This condition leads to joint pain, stiffness, and reduced mobility, significantly impacting quality of life.
Step-by-step explanation:
Most Common Age-Related Disease
The most common age-related disease is arthritis. Arthritis is a prevalent disorder characterized by inflammation of the joints, leading to symptoms such as pain, swelling, stiffness, and reduced joint mobility. Over 100 forms of arthritis exist, with many being related to aging, damage to the joint cartilage, or autoimmune origins.
Of particular note is osteoarthritis (OA), which is often caused by wear and tear on the joints due to aging. Osteoarthritis symptoms include joint pain and stiffness, which can become constant and severely hinder daily activities. This condition affects the joints most involved in daily movements like the hands, hips, and knees.
In comparison, autoimmune diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis are different in origin, as they result from the body's immune system mistakenly attacking healthy tissue. While arthritis, in general, is a common age-related condition, osteoarthritis stands as the archetypal form due to its association with the mechanical stress and subsequent cartilage degradation in the joints that is often seen with aging.