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You may not have osteoarthritis yet, and learning about the disease can be pretty scary, or depressing, to say the least. In truth, no one looks forward to getting older. Naturally, the body will not function as well in later years as when in the teens. But, why should people have to suffer needlessly, if there is osteoarthritis prevention?
Although the majority of the human population will have some form of the disease as they get older, there are definitely some things individuals can do today to reduce the odds, or to keep the joint debilitating disease at bay for as long as possible. It is important to:
1. Maintain a healthy weight
2. Avoid Injury
3. Exercise
While these three suggestions may sound simplistic, there is nothing simple about it. It will take hard work for some to keep these goals. It is not a temporary program to participate in for a few months and go back to the way things were before the change. Choosing to do everything possible toward osteoarthritis prevention requires a permanent lifestyle change.
For example, too many people are considered overweight. With the availability of fast foods, quick fix already prepared meals, and so many snack foods on the market, it is so easy to gain a few extra pounds, or more. Unfortunately, osteoarthritis thrives when people do not maintain a healthy weight.
Why? Osteoarthritis is diagnosed when the cartilage between the joints begins to deplete. As the natural cushion disappears, movement becomes more difficult and painful. While
the process is due to longevity, and the body is bound to show signs of wear, extra pounds put extra pressure on those joints. Thus, it increases the wear and tear on the joints, and the strain on the cartilage between them.
Although maintaining a healthy weight seems like a reasonable suggestion, it may be hard to consider how to avoid injury. After all, most people do not make an effort to hurt themselves. However, some activities are totally unnecessary and put unneeded stress on joints. For example, lifting object that are obviously too heavy will put strain on about every joint in the body. Therefore, the suggestion is simple to be wise and keep osteoarthritis prevention in mind, before doing something that is not good for a healthy body.
Finally, exercise is vital. A healthy body will reduce the strain on the joints, and healthy muscles will help support the body and the amount of pressure exerted on the joints. Despite sounding strange to exercise to avoid abuse of the joints, it really works. In fact, for those already diagnosed, low impact exercises do not necessarily require movement of the joint, but simply strengthens the supporting muscles around the joint.
Osteoarthritis prevention can be possible. Even if the future includes the disease, there are things people can do today to at least delay the onset and the severity of the debilitating disease. So, maintain a healthy weight, avoid injury to the joints, and exercise to stay fit. The effort today will improve quality of life tomorrow.
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