Understanding the chance and modifying your activities can protect your joints from damage.
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The joints are a bit like sofa cushions. Over time, the padding between your bones, called cartilage, wears away and flattens — a condition often called osteoarthritis. Unfortunately, coping with worn joints isn't so simple as fixing or replacing the couch. And whether or not your joints wear out is totally out of your control.
But while your DNA may predict future joint problems, that doesn't mean you're completely powerless in terms of your joint health. You can take steps to maintain your joints working in addition to possible for so long as possible. Below are some strategies you should utilize to guard them.
Know your risk aspects. Several aspects increase your risk of osteoarthritis. Apart from family history, your sexuality – women are more susceptible to this condition than men. There are also non-genetic risk aspects, similar to past injury to tendons or cartilage. Dr. Martin says experts consider that an injury that leads to joint damage triggers a process called apoptosis, which is actually the death of cartilage cells on the injured site. But cartilage cells don't die immediately. This cell damage can occur a few years after the injury—sometimes 10 to twenty years. Knowing that a past injury could lead on to arthritis in the longer term can aid you adjust your activities to guard your joints, Dr. Martin says, which brings us to our next tip…
Avoid activities that put lots of stress on the joints. If you think you might be in danger for osteoarthritis, chances are you'll need to avoid activities that unnecessarily tax sensitive joints. This may include running long distances, deep squats and lunges, dead lifts, and using heavy weights or kettlebells. “These exercises are good for your glutes, but not for your joints,” says Dr. Martin. Instead, select light activities, similar to swimming, cycling, exercising on low-resistance elliptical trainers, or a level walking program.
Maintain a healthy weight. Just as lifting heavy weights can put stress in your joints, so can once you add extra kilos to your frame. “If your joints are normal and you're gaining some weight, it's probably not a big deal,” says Dr. Martin. But in case your joints are abnormal, weight gain could cause problems. Many women gain weight after they undergo menopause. Even an additional 10 to twenty kilos can put lots of stress in your joints.
Differentiate between the differing types of arthritis. Not all cases of arthritis are osteoarthritis. Some joint problems arise from a faulty immune system response, including rheumatoid arthritis, psoriatic arthritis, or ankylosing spondylitis. Significant joint swelling is an indication that you could have this way of arthritis. Early treatment is not going to cure existing arthritis, but it could prevent it from getting worse.
Consider supplements. For an extended time, many physicians were skeptical of claims about glucosamine and chondroitin sulfate, two supplements credited with reducing joint pain, says Dr. Martin. But research shows that they appear to work, although nobody is actually sure why. “It's probably like someone taking aspirin for pain relief 100 years ago,” he says. “They weren't sure why it worked, but it did.” However, be skeptical of claims that they'll reverse or prevent joint damage. “Whether they do what they claim to do in terms of protecting or restoring your joints,” says Dr. Martin, “there's not very good evidence.”
Try physical therapy. If you could have joint problems, it could help to work with a physical therapist to strengthen the encircling muscles. Strong muscles can higher support the joint and reduce pain by absorbing a number of the pressure that will otherwise be placed on the joint.
Be conservative. If you could have an injury, don't rush to a surgical solution — especially in the event you're over 40. Older patients may do higher by taking a conservative approach when possible and opting against certain joint surgeries, says Dr. Martin. However, when joints wear out and an individual is suffering physically and mentally, it might be value considering a joint substitute.