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World Arthritis Day: Arthritis is a common condition that causes pain and inflammation in the joints. Arthritis affects over 180 million people in India and its prevalence is higher than even diabetes, AIDS and cancer. Although there are many types of arthritis, the most common are osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis (RA).
In osteoarthritis, the cartilage that lies between the bones of a joint is damaged while in rheumatoid arthritis, our body’s immune system attacks the joints. Besides joint damage, it can also affect muscles, connective tissue, tendons, and fibrous tissue. It tends to appear earlier in life than osteoarthritis, usually between the ages of 20 and 40, and it can seriously affect daily activities.
Besides osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis, other forms of arthritis are juvenile arthritis, spondyloarthropathies, systemic lupus erythematosus, gout, infectious and reactive arthritis, and psoriatic arthritis.
ALSO READ: 7 Ayurvedic Herbs & Remedies To Control Uric Acid And Reduce Joint Pain
World Arthritis Day is celebrated on October 12 each year to raise awareness around the world about the existence and impact of rheumatic and musculoskeletal diseases.
On World Arthritis Day, Dr Shashi Kanth G, Senior Consultant Orthopedic Surgeon, Yashoda Hospitals Hyderabad, dispels some common arthritis myths.
Myth 1: Only the elderly develop arthritis
Made: Arthritis is more common in older people, but it can affect people of all ages. Rheumatoid arthritis tends to present in people between the ages of 20 and 40.
Myth 2: If your joints hurt, it’s arthritis
Made: This is not true. Not all joint pain is arthritis, and not all joint pain is a sign that arthritis will develop later on. There are many possible causes of pain in and around the joints, including tendonitis, bursitis, and injury.
Myth 3: People with arthritis should not exercise
Made: Exercise is generally not an activity that people with arthritis should avoid, although they should talk to their doctor before starting a diet. Exercise can help maintain range of motion and joint strength.
Exercise and arthritis can and should coexist. People with arthritis who exercise regularly have less pain, more energy, better sleep, and better daily function. Exercise should be one of the mainstays in the treatment of osteoarthritis of the hip and knee.
Myth 4: Heat is better than ice for painful joints
Made: This is not true. Ice and heat can soothe sore joints.
Used wisely, heat can help reduce pain and stiffness in joints and muscles. Cold application can help reduce inflammation and swelling in the joints.
People should use heat before exercise, when a joint is stiff, and when they experience pain. Cold can also relieve pain and can also be helpful if the joint is inflamed, especially if there is swelling after activity.
Myth 5: Arthritis is not preventable
Made: It is not possible to prevent all cases of arthritis because some risk factors, such as advanced age, cannot be changed. However, people can eliminate or minimize certain risk factors to prevent arthritis from developing or to slow its progression. For example, people with excessive body weight have an increased risk of developing osteoarthritis of the knee.
Maintaining a moderate weight can reduce the risk of arthritis. Smoking tobacco is also associated with an increased risk of developing rheumatoid arthritis. Quitting smoking will reduce your risk and provide a range of other health benefits. Also, because arthritis can develop as a result of injury, protecting the joints during sports or other physical activity can help reduce the risk of developing arthritis later in life.
Myth 6: After you are diagnosed, there is nothing you can do
Made: Although there is often no cure for the disease, its course varies depending on the type of arthritis. There are medications that can help reduce the symptoms of many types of arthritis and slow the progression of the disease.
There are also lifestyle measures people can take to slow the progression of certain types of arthritis, such as maintaining a moderate weight, quitting smoking, eating a healthy diet, and getting enough sleep.
Myth 7: Climate change can make arthritis worse
Made: There is a persistent claim that rain and wet weather make arthritis symptoms worse. However, this is inconclusive and the weather does not seem to affect all people with arthritis.
Despite advances in medicine, we still have a lot to learn about arthritis. However, we know that by maintaining a lifestyle that includes exercise and eating a nutritious, balanced diet, we can reduce the risk of certain types of arthritis and slow their progression. As scientists continue to investigate these conditions, better treatments will certainly emerge.
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