In this article, I will be discussing what arthritis is, and some types of it. Erroneously people believe that arthritis is a single disease; well, it isn`t. It is not a single disease, but an informal way of referring to joint pains or joint diseases, and there are over 100 types of arthritis and related conditions. People of all ages and races can and do have arthritis. It is a leading cause of disability in America, and research has it that more than 50 million adults and 300 children have some type of arthritis. It is more common among women and occurs most frequently as people grow older.
There are a number of symptoms of arthritis, some of which are swelling in different finger joints and problems with the heart, eyes, lungs, kidneys, skin, and joints.
Now I`ll share few types of arthritis that exist with you.
Degenerative Arthritis
In this type of arthritis, joints lose strength over time and pain sets in, and this pain gets chronic with time. Degenerative arthritis has age as its major factor, and a previous injury is a factor. when it`s still mild, It can be managed when by:
- maintaining a healthy weight
- regular physical activity
- strengthening the muscles around the joints for added support
- hot and cold therapy
- adequate rest
To prevent degenerative arthritis, one must avoid injuries and maintain a healthy weight as these are highly important.
Inflammatory Arthritis
This is a term used to describe a group of conditions that affect the immune system. They are a group of diseases characterized by inflammation of the joints and other tissues. People with this health challenge are known to suffer autoimmune diseases because their bodies` defense systems attack their own tissues, instead of viruses and germs. Sad you say, yeah? Well…
The most common forms of inflammatory arthritis are
- rheumatoid arthritis
- psoriatic arthritis
- ankylosing spondylitis
Others include juvenile idiopathic arthritis, systemic lupus erythematosus, that is lupus, and so on. Causes of inflammation arthritis include stress, genes, cigarette smoke, hormones and infectious agents.
Infectious Arthritis
It is simply an infection in the joint as a result of bacterial, viral or fungal infections that spread from a part of the body. People who have infectious arthritis usually experience intense pain in the joints, difficulty in moving the affected area, swelling and redness of the joints, chills and fever, fatigue, decreased appetite, karma, and irritability. Also called septic arthritis, infectious arthritis also enters the body through open wounds, injections, and surgery. A major type of infectious arthritis is reactive arthritis. It could be a reaction to an infection in the bladder or the urethra.
Metabolic Arthritis
This is a terribly painful type of arthritis that affects joints. It is caused by the build-up of uric acid, a bodily waste product in the blood. As it crystallizes, the crystals get deposited in the joints causing redness, swollen, joints, and worst of all, agonizing pain.
So this Uric Acid, what about it?
Increased levels of uric acid? A chemical called purine, which is found in a number of foods and in human cells, when broken down, produces uric acid. The kidneys, usually, would remove most of the uric acid, however, this does not happen sometimes, hence the buildup in the blood. To avoid high levels of purine, consume less red meat, fish, goose, organ meats, and violin.
Warning signs of metabolic activities include intense pain pressure in and around affected areas and swelling of the joint.
What else? Just anyone, really, could have metabolic arthritis; however, it is common among men who are over age 40. Asides that, women in post-menopausal ages may have it too. Statistics has it that 25% of sufferers have a family history of it. So yes, it is highly possible that anyone who has metabolic arthritis suffers it because it is genetic. People who have metabolic arthritis are to avoid purine-rich foods and alcohol. Maintaining a healthy weight is also important. Above all, instructions from a doctor are most important.
Avoiding Arthritis
Having discussed arthritis and its various types, it is not enough to leave you in fear of this terrible disease; it would be befitting to discuss ways to avoid it. Sadly, arthritis cannot be totally prevented due to some of its causes such as the genetic factor and increasing age. However, there are health benefits you can practice to drastically reduce your risk of having arthritis. Let’s discuss them!
Exercise
Exercise strengthens the muscles around the joints, energizing and protecting them from wear and tear. It is important that you do different kinds of exercise regularly to achieve various purposes. As you exercise, your chances of have arthritis get reduced, and what else? You get to enjoy many other health benefits.
What about your Weight?
Overweight women are four times more likely to get arthritis, first because arthritis is more common with women, and the second reason is that their weight, if not well managed, can put them at a higher risk. When the knees cannot support the body weight, a huge problem may occur. Yes, overweight men too can have arthritis. Diet and exercise can help put your weight in good shape.
Eat Fish
Fish again? Yes; you must have realized that a number of health conditions require fish for their prevention and cure. Any fish rich in omega-3 fatty acid can lower your risk of having a crisis. So eat trout, salmon, sardines, and lower your risk of having arthritis.
Protect your Dear Joints
Don’t be careless about your postures when sitting, walking, lifting and doing other activities. Avoid lifting with your back when carrying heavy objects, and also avoid putting much strain on your wrists. What else? Don’t carry items close to your body. Always ensure you protect your joints and in the long run, prevent arthritis.
Avoid Injuries
Use proper safety equipment and kits when you work and play sports. Avoiding injuries is undeniably important in preventing arthritis. If you eventually have injuries, it is important you treat them well. As important as it is to exercise, be sure you practice the right techniques to avoid injuries. Why all this, you may ask. The reason is that lots of injuries can cause your joints to wear out, hence arthritis.
Do Yoga!
I love yoga, do you? Keeping the muscles and joints flexible and strong is highly important in preventing arthritis, and guess what…with Yoga, you can achieve that. Yoga is here for you to strengthen the muscles around the joint and to ensure the joints move in the full range of motion. What are you waiting for? Go have some Yoga session. Well, wait till you`re done reading this article.
Final Words…
You’ve read, you`ve learned, now what’s left? You should practice! A number of points stated on preventing arthritis are not new; they currently exist in other ‘prevention lists’; what does that tell you? Following them helps you achieve a number of health benefits. So we can say that they are multipurpose. Now you have more reasons to heed to them. As far as your health is concerned. your level of obedience and discipline to a large extent determines your state of health. As you practice what you have read, remember to share with others.
