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What Causes Arthritis, and Can You Prevent It?

Arthritis is the swelling and tenderness of one or more joints. It is a condition that affects the musculoskeletal health of a person. The main symptoms of arthritis are joint pain and stiffness, which typically worsen with age. While there are many different type of arthritis, the most common types are osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis.

Arthritis treatment varies depending on the type and it focuses on reducing symptoms & improving the quality of life. There are also certain ways in which one can prevent the chances of suffering from this condition. Read on to know more.

Prevention of Arthritis

Some ways by which one can prevent arthritis from setting in as they get older are:

1. Maintain a healthy weight as when obese or overweight, it puts a lot of pressure and stress on knee, thereby increasing the chances of damaging the knee joint in long run

2. Exercise regularly as it makes the muscles around joint stronger, thereby providing adequate support to the joint and keeping them healthy.

3. Include fish in the diet as they contain high levels of Omega3 which is a crucial component to maintain the joint strength thereby helping to prevent arthritis.

4. Quit smoking as it makes the tissues weak which puts pressure on the joints.

5. Avoid injuries while playing physical sports by using protective equipment as it is very common to develop arthritis in joints which have been previously injured.

Try incorporating these habits in your daily routine at a younger age to reduce chances of developing the condition when turn older. However, these are just preventive measures and do not guarantee prevention of arthritis.

Arthritis Treatment

There are different treatment plans which vary depending on type of arthritis. Also, treatment plan is devised after taking several factors such as patient age, severity of the diseases, and overall health of the patient into consideration. Here are some common arthritis treatment plans that physicians recommend:

1. Medications are prescribed to reduce joint pain and inflammation.

2. Though not a long-term solution, ointments and sprays are prescribed to help reduce the joint pain and swelling

3. Physical therapy helps as it improves the muscle strength around joints.

4. Surgical procedures such as joint repair, joint replacement surgery, and arthrodesis may be recommended in severe cases of arthritis

Conclusion

Arthritis is a common musculoskeletal disorder that affects many people but is largely seen among the elderly. It causes pain and inflammation and the disease can be prevented by staying healthy and seeking proper arthritis treatment if already affected.

Disclaimer: This blog provides general information and discussions about health and related subjects. The information and other content provided in this blog, website or in any linked materials are not intended and should not be considered, or used as a substitute for, medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Kindly contact your Doctor before starting a new medicine or health regime.

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Published on September 12, 2022