Do you have difficulty climbing stairs? A sudden stiffness in your back and legs after sitting for long?
Don’t ignore it. You could be having arthritis. It’s not something which only cripples the elderly.
Arthritis is on an alarming rise, a recent study by Arthritis Foundation of India found that over 180 million people, mostly women, are suffering from osteoarthritis in India, some even below the age of 25!
Don’t Let Arthritis Destroy Your Life
There are more than 100 different types of arthritis and related conditions which affect Indians. The disease cripples 15% of the population, its prevalence is higher than AIDS, cancer and even diabetes.
Women are three times more likely to get this disease and around 60 % of all people who have arthritis are female. Majority of women in India suffer from various forms of arthritis mainly due to lack of exercise and a balanced diet, regular bending and squatting and wrong postures in their daily routine.
Pain, swelling, and stiffness are the primary symptoms of arthritis. Any joint in the body may be affected by the disease, but it is particularly common in the knee. The major types of arthritis that affect the knee are osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, and post -traumatic arthritis.
Osteoarthritis, which is the most prevalent form of arthritis and the leading cause of disability in India, affects over 15 million Indians each year. About 20 years ago, osteoarthritis was known as a disease of the elderly affecting those above the age of 65 years. But now, orthopedics are increasingly diagnosing younger people in the age group of 35 – 55.
Cut Your Chances of Arthritis
1. Seek an expert advice. Living with arthritis isn’t easy. If the pain aggravates, seek medical help immediately. Delaying consultation may make the problem worse. Not only does the joint potentially become harder to repair, but one may also do permanent and irrevocable damage to the joint.
2. Be well informed: It’s extremely crucial for the patient and his family to do an in-depth research before opting for any surgery, if at all required. Patients who are not willing to live a compromised life can opt for total knee replacement surgery.
3. Stay active - Exercise boosts energy, strengthens muscles and bones, and helps keep your joints flexible. Your muscles protect and support joints affected by arthritis. Maintaining a healthy weight relieves stress on painful joints.
4. Eat a balanced diet. A variety of nutrients may help ease arthritis symptoms. Foods rich in vitamin C especially fruits and vegetables and Omega-3 fatty acids, found in fish and fish oil, may also help relieve pain. Experts say it’s best to focus on a balanced diet.
5. Control weight. Being overweight puts undue strain on weight-bearing joints such as your knees, spine, hips, ankles, and feet. Losing weight can ease symptoms of arthritis.
Dr Mohan Desai is an orthopedic surgeon in Mumbai’s KEM Hospital.
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