Arthritis
-- Can It Be Prevented?
by Karen Cole-Peralta
Overview of Arthritis
Effective help is currently available for
people to proactively manage arthritis and enjoy life to the fullest.
But the actual prevention of arthritis itself is yet another story.
With rheumatoid arthritis (RA), the
membranes or tissues lining the joints become inflamed. There is no
known way to prevent any form of this disease, including
osteoarthritis, adult-onset arthritis and juvenile rheumatoid
arthritis. The exact causes of all these conditions are unknown.
It's very important for people who fear they
are at risk of rheumatoid arthritis to realize that at this time there
are no medications to take or lifestyle modifications to make that can
completely prevent this crippling disease. However, by making changes
to your weight and diet and engaging in moderate exercise, you may be
able to slow or even halt the disease's onset and progress.
But you can only really take the measures
needed to control arthritis after it is diagnosed. Until it is known
for sure if certain bacteria or viruses trigger the disease, contact
with people suffering from it will not change your risk of developing
it.
Traditionally, medications and physical
therapy have been used to manage the disease. A massive amount of
nutrient research has also shown the effect diet and supplements have
on the body's healing processes. Lifestyle changes can also make a big
difference.
Causes of the Disease
Joint injuries caused by accidents or
overuse increase the occurrence of some types of arthritis. You can
also inherit certain genes that may increase your risk. More research
is needed to find out how to reduce the disease's onset from these
factors.
Some individuals have an inborn tendency to
degenerative joint disease because they have changes in the structure
of the important protein-building blocks of the articular cartilage
which covers the surface of their joints. These seemingly small but
significant abnormalities predispose their joints to wear and
degeneration. In other cases, joint injuries may contribute to the
development of DJD.
No foods have been definitively shown to
cause or exacerbate arthritis in most individuals. A variety of diets
and "hand-me-down" information exists about certain foods and
arthritis, in particular the night shade plants, but none of it has
been proven.
There is a rare form of arthritis called
Spure which is caused by allergies to wheat products. Avoiding those
will eliminate this disease. Associated features include weight loss,
diarrhea and osteoporosis. Consult your health care provider if this is
a concern.
There are things you can do to reduce your
risk for getting certain types of arthritis or to reduce disability if
you already have arthritis.
Overweight and obese people have a higher
frequency of arthritis. Excess weight increases risk for developing
osteoarthritis in the knees, and possibly in the hips and hands. Women
are at special risk. In men, excess weight increases the risk for
developing gout. It's important to maintain your recommended weight,
especially as you get older.
Arthritis Prevention Programs
The Center for Disease Control has
implemented programs in several states to reduce the onset and
consequences of arthritis. The National Arthritis Action Plan: A Public
Health Strategy delineates the actions necessary to better understand
the arthritis burden in the USA and helps to fully apply known and
effective interventions.
This document represents the combined
efforts of nearly 90 organizations, such as the Arthritis Foundation,
government agencies and many other groups and individuals with an
interest in arthritis prevention and control.
The NAAP proposes a nationally coordinated
effort for reducing the occurrence of arthritis and its accompanying
disability by focusing on these three areas:
1. Surveillance, epidemiology and prevention
research to strengthen the science base.
2. Communications and education to increase
awareness and provide accurate information about arthritis.
3. Programs, policies, and systems promoting
increased quality of life for people with arthritis and facilitating
arthritis prevention measures.
The CDC continues to accumulate scientific
knowledge on the benefits of physical activity. Because healthy eating
reduces a person's risk of becoming overweight, good nutrition plays an
important role in preventing knee osteoarthritis. In addition, moderate
physical activity is essential for maintaining the health of joints.
The information outlined in this article is
originally from:
HealingWithNutrition.com, Arthritis Facts,
Disease Prevention and Treatment Strategies,
http://www.healingwithnutrition.com;
Center for Disease Control, Framework for
Arthritis Prevention and Control, http://www.cdc.gov;
Web MD Health, http://mywebmd.com; and the
University of Washington Orthopaedics and Sports Medicine,
http://www.orthop.washington.edu, Frequently Asked Questions About
arthritis.
Rainbow Writing, Inc. -- copy editing,
ghost writing, graphics, publishing help and cheap dedicated hosting,
http://www.rainbowriting.com/ . Arcade games, internet tutorials, &
money making software, Four Seasons CDROM Store,
http://www.cdrommarket.com/ .
Karen Cole-Peralta may be contacted at or karencole@rainbowriting.com
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