Arthritis Prevention Tips
Arthritis prevention must ensure that the conditions are present to minimize joint injury and initiate early detection and diagnosis of the disease. Peer group studies and researches have shown that early detection and diagnosis can result to less deformity, damage and disability due to arthritis. Suffice it to say, the treatment of arthritis becomes easier and more effective when it is administered during the early stage of the chronic disease. In addition to this, it is important that you maintain your strength and overall good health with proper nutrition and exercise in order to prevent arthritis and other joint diseases.
Watch Your Weight
It is imperative that you maintain a healthy body weight to reduce the force and stress on the weight-bearing joints. Weight reduction and control can provide a variety of health benefits, and these include reducing the incidence of arthritis. A person will find it hard to exercise once the arthritis symptoms become pronounced. This means that you will have a hard time managing your weight, and this will further exacerbate your condition. Thus, you need to develop the right mindset and take the necessary preventive measures to minimize the effects of being obese or overweight.
Follow a Healthy Diet
We have been taught of the importance of having a diet that is laden with fresh fruits and vegetables. There is a clear link between the incidence of arthritis and antioxidants. Antioxidants are known for their excellent anti-inflammatory properties, and it is our natural defense for arthritis. Our body is naturally producing compounds known as free radicals. The abundance of these free radicals in our body creates a condition that is known as oxidative stress. Several studies have confirmed the direct link between oxidative stress and various chronic diseases such as arthritis. The antioxidants serve as the counterbalance for free radicals and control the incidence of oxidative stress which can lead to arthritis and other chronic diseases.
The best sources of antioxidants are the deep colored vegetables and fruits. You effectively minimize inflammation in your body as you reduce the oxidative stress with a diet that is rich with these foodstuffs. In addition to this, they also provide the necessary nutrients that are required by our body for fast healing and those needed to boost our immune system. Another important aspect of effective arthritis prevention is the limitation in the amount of red meat consumption. This healthy practice helps minimize the inflammation that is associated with arthritis.
Build Those Muscles
Muscles function as shock absorbers and relieve some of the stress from the weight bearing joints. The pain that is associated with the excessive stress on the joints is mitigated by strong muscle tissues. There are patients who may have arthritis yet experience moderate or no pain at all. This is mainly because they have bulked up the muscles surrounding the weight bearing joints. Thus, it is important that you integrate strength training in your exercise program to build the muscles that protect and support these joints.
Protect Joints from Stress and Shocks
Aside from bulking up your muscles, you also need to observe the best practices to protect weight bearing joints from shocks and abnormal stress. For instance, you have to wear the right shoes and observe proper posture to protect the joints in the hips, knees, ankles and feet. You must also minimize doing deep squats to protect the hip joint and knee joints. You must also avoid doing repetitive bending so that you can minimize stress on the lower back.
Finally, it is important that you consult with your doctor for appropriate diagnosis and assessment of your arthritis problem. Discuss with your doctor the prevention program and treatment options to mitigate the effects of the disease.