1.    Those with a family history of arthritis – Blame genetics! Many types of arthritis seem to run in families, making it likely that damaged genes are passed along. That doesn’t mean that every family member is destined to get it, just that these individuals have more of a genetic predisposition. Some siblings may have the disease while others do not.

2.    Age – More than just a number, getting up in years can increase your risk of getting the big “A.” The older you are, the more likely the aches and pains will arrive. A sedentary lifestyle can compound the fact.  

3.    Sex – More women than men get arthritis, or at least more identify the aches and pains as arthritis. Certain subsets of arthritis affect certain sexes more than others. For example, more women suffer with rheumatic arthritis, while men are more susceptible to gout.

4.    Obesity – This is a big factor in the development of arthritis, as general health declines are often accompanied by the onset of other opportunistic diseases. The stress on joints by the added weight can cause deterioration in the knees, spine and hips, leading to arthritis.  

5.    A previous joint injury – If you have injured a joint in an accident or while playing a sport, you are statistically more likely to develop arthritis in that joint.

6.    Inactive lifestyle – Don’t exercise much?  There’s a large increase in the likelihood that you will develop arthritis. On an age-adjusted basis, 24 percent of people develop arthritis versus just over 18 percent of active adults. About 10 percent of adults in the U.S. ages 18 or over have arthritis to a degree that it limits their activities.