Monday, December 15, 2008

How to Prevent Osteoarthritis

By Andrew John

There are three main reasons of osteoarthritis. The first is a genetic predisposition - if someone from your family has it, you are at greater risk of having it yourself. However, two other reasons are much more common: overweight and a long-term stress on some particular joint.

Osteoarthritis is the most popular form of arthritis, affecting the lives of about 12 per cent of the human population. It most commonly attacks women above the age of 45, but can happen to anyone. Osteoarthritis is an effect of wearing off the cartilage in the joints. As the amount of cartilage is reduced, the bones in the joint start to rub each other during joint movements, causing serious pain and reducing the mobility of the joint up to the point when it is stuck.

The good news is that while you may be predisponed to suffer from osteoarthritis, there is much you can do to make this disease to come later and in less severe form. The key to that is staying fit. First, you have to reduce your weight - every pound of fat you don't have on you is a few months more in good health. That's why a healthy diet is a must. Then, you need a lot of cardiovascular exercises. They will help you keep a stable weight. More importantly however, keeping your muscles in good shape is essential to reduce the amount of stress put to the joint's cartilage. Do not overexert yourself though, especially if your joints are already aching. The point is to strengthen the muscles, not to stress your joints too much. Also, make sure that your joints - especially wrists and knees - are protected. Injury,

The one thing that many people forge about is the need of Omega-3 rich diet. These fatty acids, commonly found in fish oil and in flax, are known for their anti-inflammatory effects as well as for their ability to reduce the soreness of the joints affected by osteoarthritis. They are commonly recommended by doctors both for those who already have osteoarthritis and for those who are at risk of having one. As the normal diet does not usually contain enough Omega-3 fatty acids, food supplements such as Omega Daily are often necessary to assure the proper daily intake of Omega-3 fatty acids.

Remember that osteoarthritis can cause only mild problems - but only in case you detect it early and start the treatment soon after. If you feel pain the joint(s) and they can't move as easily as they used to be, contact your doctor ASAP. - 16463

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