Arthritis is associated with disability, reduced mobility, reduced joints function and pain. It’s therefore paramount for you to do all you can to maintain healthy joints to prevent the complications and inhibitions that come with arthritis.
The Arthritis Foundation mentions that there are more than 100 types of Arthritis and related conditions, and each of them has risk factors, individual features, behaviors and circumstances that are associated with the disease.
There are non-modifiable risk factors, which you can do nothing to change. Examples include;
I. Being female
II. Having a family history of arthritis (genetic profile)
Non-modifiable factors make people more likely to develop a condition, but it’s not certain that a person would develop the condition.
There are risk factors that are considered to be modifiable. These include behaviors and circumstances that can be changed in order to reduce risk, delay onset or altogether prevent arthritis (Arthritis Foundation). Examples of modifiable risk factors for 3 most common types of arthritis include;
1. Osteoarthritis – Achieve and maintain healthy body weight
2. Osteoarthritis – Apply necessary measures to prevent Sports Injuries
3. Rheumatoid arthritis – Quit smoking and avoid any form of tobacco or secondary smoke
4. Gout – Eat a healthy diet, low in sugar, alcohol and purines
According to the Arthritis Foundation, preventing incidents that could injure joints and ligaments can significantly reduce the risk of arthritis. Avoiding sports injuries through proper equipment, adequate training and taking into account safety during sports can prevent ACL (Anterior Cruciate Ligament) tears that may lead to osteoarthritis in a few years or several decades later.
There’s no conclusive scientific evidence on the exact causes of many diseases, arthritis being one of them. Hopefully, in the near future scientists will have conclusive evidence on how Arthritis and related conditions like Gout can be effectively prevented and cured.
According to the Arthritis Foundation, many types of arthritis are thought to result from a combination of genetic predisposition and an environmental trigger, such as a virus or toxin. Discovery of the trigger for a type of arthritis may be the key to its prevention, even in someone with genetic risk.
As the rate of discoveries is accelerated by the Arthritis Foundation scientific program the search for prevention measures and cures may soon become reality. Until then, apply the preventive measures listed above to lower your risk of developing Arthritis and its related conditions.
In case you have been experiencing persistent pain in the joints, swelling, stiffness in one or more joints, redness or Joints that are warm to the touch, tenderness, difficulty moving a joint or doing daily activities, it’s time to visit a Rheumatologist for a comprehensive assessment. It’s also important to visit an Orthopedist for a physical examination to determine the cause of joint pain and potential for a surgical solution.
