Joint Pain is common, but it’s not well understood. It is in fact not a single disease; it’s a term used to refer to all sorts of pain in joints from osteoarthritis. There are over a hundred types of different joint pain related conditions and one of the most common, and painful is Arthritis. Arthritis has been regarded as an inherent part of the process of ageing, as well as a signal to patients that it is time to slow down.
What is Arthritis?
Arthritis is a long-term autoimmune disorder that mainly affects your joints. Rheumatic diseases include over 100 conditions, such as psoriatic arthritis, osteoarthritis, fibromyalgia and gout. Although it often starts in middle age, and it’s more prevalent in the older generation, children and young people can suffer from rheumatoid arthritis as well. RA causes stiffness, swelling, pain as well as loss of function in your joints.
Can you prevent Arthritis?
There’s no sure way of preventing arthritis. However, you can help to reduce your risk of osteoarthritis and delay the possible onset of some types of other types of joint pain. If you have healthy joints, do everything you can to ensure that you maintain mobility and function. This will help you avoid the pain and disability.
There are other things you can do to help decrease your risk of arthritis.
- Diet– Eat a healthy diet that is low in sugar, purines and alcohol and include fish high in Omega 3 in your diet.
- Exercise – exercise strengthens the muscles around your joints, and this helps protect from additional wear and tear.
- Weight – Maintain a healthy weight. Being overweight puts an unnecessary strain on your joints.
- Stay safe – if you play sports make sure you have all the right equipment to help prevent injury. At work or at home, make sure you there are no risks around you like broken equipment and unsafe surfaces.
- Protect your joints – make sure you are not lifting things without bending your knees. If you work at a desk, make sure you are sitting with the correct posture. If you are sitting for a long period, make sure your arms and legs are well supported.
Prevention
Because scientists do not fully understand the mechanisms and causes of these diseases, true prevention appears to be impossible. However, if you are suffering from arthritis or feeling pain in your joints, be sure to see your health professional. There are many ways they may be able to help you manage the pain and show you how to reduce risks in your daily activities.
