Integritus Prime

In our Beyond Medicine series, a viewer asked us to talk about arthritis, which can be quite debilitating if not managed properly. There are many types of arthritis and it is a fairly common condition that people experience during their lifetime, mainly as they age. According to the World Health Organization 528 million people around the world were living with osteoarthritis in 2019.

Arthritis refers to a group of inflammatory conditions that affect the joints in various ways. When this happens we may experience a variety of symptoms including pain, swelling, stiffness, limitation of movement or discoloration of skin around that joint.

The common types of arthritis include osteoarthritis, Rheumatoid, Gout, Ankylosing spondylitis, Psoriatic and Juvenile. Sometimes arthritis could be a secondary symptom of another ailment such as a viral infection, hence a proper diagnosis is important for good management of the condition.

It is important to be aware of the risk factors that predispose us to arthritis so that we can take preventive measures wherever we can.

Eight common risk factors for osteoarthritis are:

1.     Old age – as we get older, the risks increase;

2.     Female gender, although the reason for this is not clear;

3.     Genetics;

4.     Obesity;

5.     Joint injuries;

6.     Repeated stress on the joint;

7.     Bone deformities; and

8.     Certain metabolic conditions, such as diabetes.

There are some lifestyle changes we can make to minimize joint injuries. The most important self-care measures are:

• Keeping to a healthy, mainly plant-based diet (rich in fruit and vegetables).
• Maintaining a healthy weight.
• Being physically active, exercising regularly low-impact exercises such Tai Chi, Yoga and Swimming are great. Also, keeping the muscles strong protects the weight bearing joints (such as ankles, knees, hips and spine).
• Keeping muscles strong through exercise also improves our range of movement of the joints, prevents stiffness and releases feel-good hormones (endorphins).

Once a person develops arthritis, these preventive measures need to continue and in addition to consulting a health care provider or bone specialist (Orthopedist). The following steps are also important:

• A proper diagnosis, which may involve X-Rays, MRI, Blood tests, and sometimes joint fluid tests;
• Taking the prescribed medicine for pain regularly;
• Doing specific exercises for the joint(s) involved (called movement therapy);
• Seeking further medical advice, regarding surgical or other procedures, if the arthritic condition worsens.

Osteoarthritis is a condition we may be able to prevent to a large extent, however, we can live with it if we understand how to protect our joints and be pain-free.

Share with us your challenges with arthritis or people with arthritis you know, who also have challenges.