Reduce Your Risk of Arthritis

Reduce Your Risk of Arthritis
Do you know someone who is living with arthritis? Many people associate arthritis with old age, and while it
is more common in the elderly and those of adult age, it can affect anyone. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), 50 million Americans have doctor-diagnosed arthritis; 2/3 of these people are between the ages of 18 and 64.
The word arthritis means “joint inflammation” and is an umbrella term for over 100 medical conditions. The most common types of arthritis include:
Osteoarthritis: Affecting more than 50% of people diagnosed with arthritis, osteoarthritis is a degenerative joint disease that occurs with the loss of protective cartilage in the joints. The loss of cartilage can result in bones rubbing together which can cause pain, damage to muscles and nerves, and bone deformities.
Rheumatoid arthritis: The second most common form of arthritis, rheumatoid arthritis is an inflammatory disease affecting the hands, wrists, elbows, shoulders, knees, and feet. It is considered an autoimmune disease, which means the body’s immune system mistakenly attacks healthy tissue. Rheumatoid arthritis affects women two to three times more often than men.
Infectious arthritis is caused by a bacterial or viral infection and generally affects the larger joints such as the knee, shoulder, wrist, and elbow. Usually infectious arthritis occurs when a person has another illness or can be the result of an injury.
Juvenile rheumatoid arthritis is a long-term chronic disease in children. It is an autoimmune disease that is characterized by joint, pain and swelling. Fevers, rashes, and eye pain can also be present.
Arthritis can become a debilitating condition that severely affects quality of life. Being aware of lifestyle choices is the single most important thing we can do to prevent arthritis and arthritis progression. There are many things we can do to protect and help fortify our joints, including:
Maintaining a healthy body weight – being overweight is one of the strongest risk factors for osteoarthritis. Added body weight = added pressure on joints. Achieving and maintaining a healthy body weight means eating a healthy, balanced diet. Maximizing our intake of whole foods – including fresh vegetables and fruits – and minimizing consumption of processed foods are essential for health.
Exercising regularly creates stronger and more flexible joints and will also help keep down the body weight. Exercising with weights helps to make bones denser and strengthen the ligaments and tendons associated with joints. Yoga is an especially good exercise for joint health.
Drink plenty of water. Water comprises up 70 percent of the cartilage in joints and plays an important role in the lubrication and shock absorbing properties of healthy joints.
Feed joints with natural supplements. Environmental pollution, some medications, and the stresses of modern life can increase depletion of essential elements in the body. Natural supplements such as vitamins C and D, boron, glucosamine, and chondroitin sulfate are known to provide excellent joint support and can help minimize symptoms of arthritis.
May is National Arthritis Awareness month. Help to spread the word about arthritis and the ways it can be prevented and how its effects can be minimized.