Woman suffering from arthritis
Although adults of any age can suffer from arthritis, it is a health problem that becomes more common as we age. About 47% of adults aged 65 and older have been diagnosed with arthritis. Being diagnosed with arthritis can be overwhelming: You’re already feeling physical pain and you’re probably wondering if it will ever go away and how it might prevent you from doing the things you love to do in the future.
These are valid concerns, but rheumatologists also say they can cause arthritis sufferers to make a mistake that can actually make their condition worse instead of better. Keep reading to find out what it is and other key facts they want everyone with osteoarthritis to know.
Related: Bend and Break! Here’s a Simple Plan to Keep Your Joints Healthy and Fight Arthritis
How to know if you have arthritis
It is important to know that there are different types of arthritis, which have different causes. The most common type of arthritis is osteoarthritis, which is a degenerative joint disease that most commonly affects the hands, hips, and knees. The risk of osteoarthritis increases with age and often results from joint injuries or overuse. This type of arthritis is different from rheumatoid arthritis, which is an autoimmune disease and an inflammatory disease.
“Osteoarthritis can be due to a number of causes such as age, injury, overuse of a joint, genetics and obesity. It is a degenerative joint disease that occurs when there is breakdown of cartilage within a joint leading to changes in the bone, stiffness, loss of mobility and pain. explains rheumatologist Dr. Zeba Faroqui, MD.
Related: The 20 Best Foods to Reduce Inflammation and Relieve Arthritis Pain
Dr. Faroqui says that usually the first signs of this type of arthritis include joint pain and stiffness. “The pain is usually caused by prolonged activity or towards the end of the day. A person with arthritis may experience joint swelling or feel unsteady when walking,” she explains.
Dr. Faroqui says that ultimately the diagnosis is made by a doctor, who will likely perform a physical exam and look at blood tests as well as x-rays. “Laboratories do not diagnose osteoarthritis, but they can be helpful in ruling out other syndromes that might present with similar symptoms, such as gout or rheumatoid arthritis. X-ray imaging will show narrowing of the joint space or bone spurs in patients with osteoarthritis, which will help confirm the diagnosis,” she adds.
According to Dr. Grace Wright, MD, PhD, consultant rheumatologist in New York and founder and president of the Association of Women in Rheumatology, symptoms of osteoarthritis can appear as early as your 30s. So it’s important to see a doctor if you experience pain, especially if arthritis is spreading throughout your body. family. Often, she says, lifestyle adjustments can be made to reduce symptoms. For example, if a person suffers from obesity, developing a diet and lifestyle aimed at weight loss can help.
Related: The #1 Unexpected Habit That Helps Manage Arthritis
What not to do if you have osteoarthritis
According to Dr. Wright, one mistake many people with osteoarthritis make is stopping all forms of physical activity. “Joints are spaces between bones supported by muscles, tendons and ligaments. When muscles weaken, there is no longer support around the joint. This is why exercise is important. You never want to stop exercising, because once you lose muscle strength, there’s nothing to support the joint,” she explains.
The key, both doctors say, is knowing how to exercise safely in a way that promotes joint health. “A person with osteoarthritis should avoid activities that pose a high risk of injury and those that require excessive pounding or twisting movements of the joints. Such activities may include running on uneven ground, high-impact exercises, and lifting heavy objects,” warns Dr. Faroqui.
She adds that high-impact exercises can worsen osteoarthritis in weight-bearing joints such as the knees and hips. “This includes activities like tennis, basketball, soccer or soccer,” she says, explaining that avoiding these types of exercises decreases the risk of cartilage damage and osteoarthritis progression. , which will result in less pain and preserved mobility.
That being said, not exercising at all has been linked to worsening osteoarthritis, while exercising as little as one to two hours per week has been shown to improve symptoms. So what type of exercise should someone with osteoarthritis do? Dr. Wright says core strengthening exercises are beneficial because they help strengthen the muscles in the back, which supports the spine, a part of the body commonly affected by osteoarthritis. Walking, running (as long as it’s on level ground), cycling, yoga and even gardening are all forms of movement that can help improve osteoarthritis.
Being diagnosed with arthritis doesn’t mean the end of your body’s movement. It’s quite the opposite ! Talk to your doctor about the types of exercises that are best for you and other treatments that may improve your symptoms.
Next, here are answers to the most frequently Googled questions about arthritis.
Sources
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