Effective Ways To Prevent Arthritis

HEALTH

Arthritis is a debilitating bone disorder that is most commonly associated with ageing. However, there are more than 100 types of arthritis that can affect people of all ages, including children.

Of the different types of arthritis, Osteoarthritis (OA), Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and Psoriatic arthritis (PsA) are the three most common forms of arthritis affecting people around the world.

The pain and stiffness caused by arthritis generally sets in when the natural cushioning in the joints (cartilage) wears away due to age, trauma or infection. It has been observed that women are more commonly affected by arthritis.

Joint replacement surgeries offer a long-term solution for arthritis pain. The CK Birla Hospital in Gurgaon and Artemis are some of the best orthopedic hospitals in Gurgaon, offering quality and affordable joint replacement surgeries including total knee replacement, hip replacement and revision joint replacement surgeries amongst others.

Several risk factors have been identified that can increase the chance of developing arthritis. Factors such as ageing, genetics, trauma etc are commonly known. However, today factors such as our excessively sedentary lifestyle and unhealthy diet are the most relevant contributing factors to this degenerative bone condition.

Let us look a little closer at ways to reduce the risk of developing the common forms of arthritis.

Control your weight

Being overweight and/or obese can greatly increase the risk of developing achy and stiff joints. This is because of the added pressure on the joints due to the body weight. The knee joints are the most commonly affected joints due to this factor. According to John Hopkins, being just 5 kgs overweight can increase the pressure on your knees by 15-30 kgs! So, keeping your weight in check is a great way to prevent arthritis. In fact, even for patients scheduling their knee replacement surgeries, getting weight under control is a prerequisite for the surgery.

Exercise

Routine physical exercise not only helps in controlling weight but also helps in strengthening the muscles around the joint. This in turn helps in stabilising the joint and reducing wear and tear as well as the risk of injury.

The main thing to remember during exercise is to incorporate strengthening and stretching exercises in the daily routine.

Diet

As we age, our dietary requirements change as well. We need to ensure that our calcium and vitamin D intake increases as we get older. You can do this either by consuming more dairy products or by taking supplements.

Smoking nicotine is also known to increase the risk of arthritis amongst a wide range of other diseases. Consider quitting while you are ahead.

Avoid injury

This is probably one of the most basic advices to follow when it comes to preventing arthritis. Trauma can affect anyone of any age. Prevent injury by following appropriate safety measures and using the right gear while performing any sport/activity. Exercise can also help you improve your balance, reducing the chance of you falling.

In case you do get injured, start your treatment and physical therapy right away to avoid lasting damage.

Try a Supplement

There are several natural supplements on the market that can keep your joints healthy and strong. FlexoPlex is a bone and joint support supplement that can lessen uncomfortable joint pain and swelling.

Flexoplex reviews rave about what a great supplement this is and how it helps people to keep their joints strong.

Revaluate your posture

While sitting, working or simply lifting something from the ground, make sure you have the right posture. Many a time, a combination of bad posture and weakened bones can result in sudden trauma or failure of joints. Avoid carrying extremely heavy items. Ensure that you have adequate back support while sitting for long periods of time

Consult your doctor

Arthritis is generally a progressive disorder. Basically, arthritis becomes worse with time if not treated properly. The more you delay treatment, greater is the damage to your joints. Consult a good bone specialist or orthopedic surgeon to start with the appropriate treatment.

In its early stages, lifestyle changes and diet are the most preliminary forms of treatment for arthritis. If you incorporate these healthy habits into your daily life, you can avoid the need for joint replacement surgeries and lead a healthy, pain-free life.

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