6 ways to prevent osteoarthritis at a young age
(Baonghean.vn) - Osteoarthritis is considered a sign of aging - a condition in which the cartilage in the joints begins to wear away and cause pain. According to medical research, there are many factors that cause osteoarthritis, not just old age. If we understand these factors, we can prevent osteoarthritis or slow down the progression of the disease... Below is advice from doctors to help reduce the risk and symptoms of osteoarthritis.
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| Being overweight increases your risk of osteoarthritis. Excess weight puts stress on your joints, especially those in your hips and knees. For every extra kilogram you carry, the pressure on your knees and hips increases to 8 kilograms. Over time, this pressure can damage the cartilage in your joints and cause osteoarthritis. But stress on your joints isn’t the only factor. Most of that extra weight is fat tissue. Fat tissue produces proteins called cytokines that cause inflammation throughout your body. |
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| Good posture will help protect the joints, avoiding unbalanced pressure. In the physiological upright position, the contact area between the two joint surfaces will reach the maximum level, so the pressure will be minimal. This posture also creates a balance of force between the ligaments and muscles around the joint, helping to reduce the pressure on the two articular cartilage surfaces as much as possible. |
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| When lifting or carrying heavy objects, you need to pay attention to using the muscle strength of large joints such as the shoulder and elbow joints in the arms; and the hip and knee joints in the legs. Skillfully use the principle of leverage in large joints to avoid injuring small joints. |
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| Avoid lying down, sitting or standing in one place for long periods of time as this will cause stagnant circulation and stiff joints. This may be the main factor causing occupational osteoarthritis, especially in people who do mental work; office work. |
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| Studies have shown that diabetes can increase the risk of osteoarthritis. Diabetes is caused by the body's inability to regulate blood sugar levels. High blood sugar levels make cartilage stiffer and more susceptible to damage when pressure is applied. Diabetes can also cause inflammation that leads to loss of cartilage. To prevent osteoarthritis, you should control your blood sugar levels. |
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| You should arrange your work reasonably, balancing rest and work. Remember that all organs in the body need rest to regenerate energy. Do not repeat a job or work position for too long beyond the body's tolerance. The impact force is not large, but if repeated for too long, it will damage the joints. |
