How to Prevent Arthritis

  • Arthritis
    Arthritis is often seen as a disease that affects the elderly but it can affect people of all ages. According to the Arthritis Foundation, two-thirds of people with arthritis are under the age of 65. And more people in their late 30s and 40s are now being diagnosed with the condition 
Submitted by PatientsEngage on 6 July 2015

Can it be prevented

  • Maintain your ideal weight: Increased weight on the load-bearing joints, like knees, ankles and hips, makes you highly susceptible to osteoarthritis. Losing weight cuts the risk of arthritis.
  • Exercise regularly: Try to exercise at least 20 minutes for three days a week if exercise is vigorous, or 30 minutes of moderate exercise five days a week. Practice yoga or simple stretching. These exercises strengthen the muscles around joints.
  • Quit smoking, as it weakens bone health and structure
  • Avoid excess alcohol consumption: This habit is similar to smoking as it weakens vitamin absorption and bone structure.
  • Drink plenty of water (1.9 litres of water per day)
  • Increase your calcium intake (milk, cheese and yoghurt)
Changed
05/Jul/2017
Community
Muscle, Bone and Joint (earlier named Arthritis)
Condition
Arthritis

Stories

  • I Work My Way Around Fatigue and Pain Due To Ankylosing Spondylitis And Fibromyalgia
    Prachee Bhosle, 42, who was diagnosed with ankylosing spondylitis and fibromyalgia, two painful rheumatic disorders, shelved her career plans and chose to become a patient leader to raise awareness and advocate for better care and support. She is currently President of Ankylosing Spondylitis Welfare Society.  Please tell us a little bit about yourself, your background? I am a parent to 2 kids, a 14-year-old girl and a 10-year-old boy. Both my kids are homeschooled by me since 2017. After…
  • Ripples Of Music From A Wheelchair
    Jolene Dias, who was diagnosed with Limb Girdle Muscular Dystrophy, persevered her passion for music against adversities. From a celebrity singer, she began to teach music to children, including those with special needs, and challenge preconceived notions about people on wheelchairs. I was an extremely active child, good in sports and studies. I used to love to sing, dance, and perform. In school, I was at the center of all music shows, singing classes, and choir practices. I have been…
  • Stock pic showing Knee Pain
    जीवन की गति धीमी करने से स्वास्थ्य में सुधार: एक अनुभव
    काजल* सक्रिय  रहती थीं और अपनी जीवनशैली को लेकर सावधान थीं। जब उनका बेवजह  वजन कम होने लगा और घुटने में दर्द भी होने लगा तो उन्होंने कई टेस्ट करवाए और विशेषज्ञों से मिलीं। प्राप्त सलाह और समाधानों से संतुष्ट न होने पर, काजल ने खुद समाधान खोजने के लिए विभिन्न पूरक उपचारों को सक्रिय रूप से खोजा और कुछ आश्चर्यजनक निष्कर्ष निकाले। मैं हमेशा से ही पतली और सक्रिय रही हूं। अपने माता-पिता की स्वास्थ्य समस्याओं को पहचानते हुए, जब मेरी उम्र तीस साल हुई तो मैंने जीवन शैली को अधिक स्वस्थ  …
  • Profile picture of Gita Kantawala
    मुझे दूसरी राय लेनी चाहिए थी।
    मुंबई की 72 वर्षीय गीता कांतवाला को मेनिस्कस टीयर के कारण आर्थोस्कोपी के बाद में बाएं घुटने का रिप्लेसमेंट हुआ।  वे अपनी सर्जरी की विफलता और सफलताओं और रिकवरी और रिहैबिलिटेशन (पुनर्प्राप्ति और पुनर्वास प्रक्रिया) की बात करती हैं। और दूसरे डॉक्टर से राय लेने की जरूरत है, इस पर जोर देती हैं। मुझे अप्रैल 2016 में अपने बाएं घुटने में मेनिस्कस टीयर का निदान मिला। एक दिन मेरा घुटना लॉक हो गया (एक ही पोजीशन में जकड़ गया) और मैंने जब चलने की कोशिश की तो घुटना मेरा बोझ नहीं ले पाया और मैं गिर…
  • Text of Body Image, Self Esteem and Rheumatic Conditions and the names and profile pictures of patient advocates Kirtida Oza, Neetu Wadhwa, Vachasamrita, Ami Shah and Mental health therapist Arouba Kabir
    Webinar Video: Body Image, Self Esteem and Rheumatic Conditions
    Rheumatic conditions like Lupus, Anklosing Spondylitis, Scleroderma and Sjogren's Syndrome affect people in a myriad ways. These often create body image issues and impact self esteem. We spoke with patient leaders Kirtida Oza, Neetu Wadhwa, Vachasamrita, Ami Shah and Mental health therapist Arouba Kabir on the common issues faced by persons with Rheumatic Conditions and how they can reclaim their self esteem. Kirtida, founder Sjogren's India Neetu Wadhwa, co-founder Scleroderma India…
  • A profile pic of an Indian woman in a blue dress
    गठिया के प्रबंधन के लिए सक्रिय रहें!
    रीटा मेहता, 65 को लगभग 20 साल पहले जोड़ों का दर्द और वैरिकाज़ वेंस शुरू हुआ था। इसने उनकी चाल और जीवन शैली पर कइ प्रतिबंध लगा दिये गये । निदान हुआ गठिया का । वह उन विभिन्न समाधानों की बात करती है जो उन्होंने अपनाए और आखिरकार क्या काम आया। प्रारंभिक लक्षण 1990 में, मैं अपने बेटे के साथ यूएस में डिज्नीलैंड का दौरा कर रही थी । मुझे याद है कि हर जगह लंबी कतारों के कारण बहुत खड़ा होना पड़ा और हमारे लौटने के तुरंत बाद, मुझे अपने दोनों पैरों में वैरिकाज़ नसों का । निदान हुआ । उसके बाद दो साल तक, मैं…
  • How can rheumatic patients manage lupus, scleroderma auto immune conditions during covid
    Webinar: How to Manage Rheumatological Conditions During Covid-19 Pandemic
    This webinar held on 30th March, 2020 was an informative session with Dr Sapan C Pandya on how patients who are living with a rheumatological conditions can manage their condition during this current pandemic and lockdown period. Are people with Rheumatic diseases more vulnerable than others to the COVID infection? There is no evidence that people who have immunosuppressant diseases will get the corona virus infection more than others. They may be more susceptible for complications once they…
  • IMG_20191128_144706_Optimised
    My Approaches To Managing Chronic Pain
    Soumita Basu has been living with the chronic pain associated with Psoriatic Arthritis for almost 10 years. She shares her experience of managing the pain and what works for her.  Chronic pain can be debilitating. It can be isolating. And it is almost always inexplicable. As I write this, I am in excruciating pain. And I recall all the pain stories I have heard from people suffering from chronic pain. Pain that fogs the mind and makes me second guess everything. Sometimes, the question is…
  • A profile pic of an Indian woman in a blue dress
    Stay Active For Arthritis
    Rita Mehta, 65 started having joint pains and varicose veins about 20 years ago. These restricted her movement and lifestyle. And led to a diagnosis of Arthritis. She talks through the variety of solutions she tried and what eventually worked for her.  Initial Symptoms In 1990, I was visiting the Disneyland in US with my son. I remember a lot of standing due to long queues everywhere and soon after our return, I was diagnosed with varicose veins in both my legs. For two years after that, I…
  • Diet Changes That Helped Them Manage Chronic Conditions
    Diet changes are an integral part of management of many chronic conditions. Here are real life experiences of eight women who incorporated diet and nutrition changes in their disease management regimen.  Celiac Disease When Jeeva Anna George was diagnosed with Celiac disease, an uncommon digestive disorder causing inflammation of the small intestine, her whole life began revolving around food. Here she talks at length about her personal journey and how she learnt the hard way to control…