How to Prevent Arthritis
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, roughly 1 in 4 adults in the U.S. have doctor-diagnosed arthritis. Nearly 45 percent of those adults struggle with some type of limitation as a result of their arthritis. Unfortunately, both the likelihood of an arthritis diagnosis and the risk of facing a limitation as a result of the condition rises with age.
Thankfully, arthritis isn’t inevitable. How can you protect your health, reduce your risk, and delay the onset of arthritis? Be proactive. Gather information on how to prevent arthritis. Then, put it to good use. These empowering tips may help.
Maintain a Healthy Weight
Carrying extra pounds puts additional stress on your joints. In fact, every extra pound puts an additional four pounds of strain on your knees, according to MedicalNewsToday. Knees aren’t the only joints impacted. Hips, ankles, and the joints in the feet also feel the extra pressure when you force your frame to carry more weight than it should.
Maintaining a healthy weight also helps keep fat in check, which has its own benefits. After all, fat cells produce cytokines, and these proteins trigger inflammation and damage the joint’s cartilage. Fewer fat cells mean not only less weight to strain your joints but also fewer cytokines to cause harm.
Stay Active
Being active is essential when you want to keep your body healthy, so it should come as no surprise that it’s a key component in preventing arthritis. Regular exercise helps to strengthen the muscles that provide balance and stability to the joints.
Ideally, you should choose moderate-intensity activities that are challenging and fun but unlikely to result in serious injury. Try to mix it up to avoid repetitive strain injuries or boredom. And remember, it’s best to check with your doctor before embarking on a new fitness routine.
Be Smart About Injuries or Aches
An injured joint is more likely to become arthritic than one that’s never been injured. Therefore, being smart about injuries is one of your best defenses against arthritis.
There are two parts to this. First, take precautions to avoid injury as you go through your daily life and exercise routine. Remember that protecting your joints may mean preventing arthritis. Second, don’t wait to seek treatment if you suspect an injury to any joint. Arthritis is progressive. Allowing an injury to go untreated can increase your risk of developing arthritis in the future.
Eat an Anti-inflammatory Diet
Arthritis is defined by inflammation. Eating a diet that’s full of foods that fight inflammation can be a fantastic, and delicious, way to keep this painful condition at bay. For starters, you’ll want to include foods that are rich in omega-3 fatty acids. Fish, nuts and seeds, beans, plant oils, and fortified foods all fit the bill.
What else should be on the menu? Cherries are widely recognized for their anti-inflammatory properties. Foods that offer vitamin C like citrus fruits, tomatoes, and bell peppers are also smart choices. In addition, it’s helpful to have foods that contain antioxidants that protect cartilage like garlic or green tea.
Be Mindful of Your Blood Sugar
There’s a strong connection between diabetes and arthritis. Blood sugar should get at least part of the blame. High blood sugar stiffens the cartilage and other tissues that support the joints. This makes them more sensitive to stress and more vulnerable to injury.
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Arthritis is notorious for causing stiffness and pain, but there are things you can do to fend off this unpleasant condition. Wellness is a major focus at Waterstone on Augusta. We love seeing our residents thrive, so we’re delighted to provide them with the support and services that help them do so.
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