Creating Awareness for Arthritis
Arthritis is a general term for a group of diseases that affect the joints and there are many different types of arthritis. In my biology classes, I studied two types in detail, which I will mention here: Osteoarthritis and Rheumatoid arthritis.
The most frequent form is osteoarthritis, which is usually diagnosed in patients of the older age. It occurs when the cartilage that cushions the joint wears out, and the bones of the joint start to rub against each other. This results in pain and inflammation and hinders the mobility of people affected by the condition. I think it's important to explain a bit about cartilage here, though some of you might be knowing about it. Cartilage is a type of connective tissue that keeps bones from touching or minimizes the friction between bones because if bones are allowed to rub against each other they can easily be damaged.
This is actually categorized under autoimmune diseases. In this condition, the body’s immune system turns against itself and begins to attack the joints leading to inflammation and pain. Usually, our immune system safeguards our body against bacteria and viruses through the synthesis of antibodies against them. But in this disease, our immune system malfunctions and instead of sending antibodies to the pathogens (viruses and bacteria), it directs these to our joints, which in turn start attacking the joint tissues. If this process continues for a long time, inflammation and pain start in that joint.
Every type of arthritis impacts life in a different way, but there is one thing that is similar and that is pain and discomfort. This affects all aspects of a normal life and even the most basic activities become challenging for individuals.
Making some lifestyle changes can be very helpful in managing arthritis. Both exercise and diet are very important. Let's talk about exercise first. Some people believe that exercising with arthritis pain will be challenging but in fact, exercising can help to minimize pain. Activities such as walking do not exert pressure on the joints and in the process, strengthen muscles.
Diet also plays a very important role in managing arthritis. Anti-inflammatory foods should be used in order to minimize the pain and inflammation. It is recommended to eat foods with high antioxidant properties such as berries, spinach, broccoli, and other green leafy vegetables.
Processed foods, sugar, and saturated fats should be avoided because they increase inflammation. Alcohol and smoking can also worsen arthritis symptoms, so they should be used minimally.
Hydration is also necessary. So, please drink plenty of water. Moreover, weight management is also very important because excess weight puts more pressure on joints, especially knees and hips. Maintaining a healthy weight helps reduce pain.
Regular exercise and a healthy diet improve mood, increase energy levels, and improve sleep quality. All these things together improve the overall quality of life.
Everyone's arthritis is different, and the effectiveness of treatment also varies. This is why you need to consult with your doctor and come up with the most suitable treatment plan for you. One should also note that the response time of each treatment type is not the same and that often, it is necessary to use combination of treatments. In general, patients are prescribed analgesics, and they are recommended to go through physiotherapy.
Physical therapy plays a very important role in arthritis management. A physical therapist teaches you specific exercises and stretches that improve your strength and flexibility. Heat and cold therapy are also used. Heat therapy helps relax muscles and improves blood circulation, while cold therapy reduces swelling and pain.
Occupational therapy can also be helpful. An occupational therapist teaches you how to adjust your daily activities to reduce stress on your joints. These therapists can also advise you on assistive devices, such as splints or braces, which improve joint support and alignment.
Arthritis can cause significant limitations in the ability to perform daily tasks and can reduce the patient’s quality of life. Pain, swelling, and stiffness in joints make it hard for people to perform various activities in their daily lives.
Joints can be very rigid especially in the morning when one wakes up from bed and wants to stand up or begin the day’s activities. This stiffness is felt in the first few hours of the morning and no one enjoys having to spend the morning in pain.
Simple activities such as climbing stairs, cleaning the house, and even cooking become a challenge. When knee or hip joints are involved, it becomes very painful to move from one place to another. In this way, even the simplest of tasks becomes a problem.
I would like to address two common misconceptions about arthritis that shape people's understanding incorrectly and also affect their treatment and management.
The first misconception is that arthritis is only a disease of old people. This is incorrect because arthritis can affect people of all ages, from children to young adults and the elderly. Juvenile arthritis is an example of this, which also affects children.
Another misconception is that exercising can worsen arthritis. Many people avoid exercise because they think it will increase their pain. In reality, low-impact exercises like walking and yoga are very beneficial. They strengthen and make joints more flexible and reduce pain. Exercise also improves overall health and well-being.
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