How to Prevent Arthritis

Arthritis is a condition that causes pain, inflammation, and stiffness of the joints. Approximately 40 million people in the United states are affected by arthritis. Some of those are adults and some are children. There are a number of reasons why people develop arthritis ranging from hereditary factors to old age. Less than half of the individuals affected by arthritis today are over the age of 65. Most are middle-aged or younger. It can strike at anytime, but luckily, it can also be prevented.

Arthritis can influence nearly all aspects of a person's life depending on how bad it is. Some people are unable to walk and work because of their condition. For some, the arthritis they suffer from only moderately limits them. For others, it is completely disabling. There are a number of different types of arthritis conditions - over 100 to be exact. A few of the different types of arthritis conditions are osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis. Out of the total number of those affected by arthritis in the United States, 65% of them are women.

Other symptoms of various types of arthritis conditions include warmth, swelling, redness, tenderness of the joint, and inflammation. Symptoms will vary depending on how long the condition has been present, the cause, and type of arthritis. The good thing is that arthritis can be effectively treated and prevented if the right action is taken. One of the things that may help is to lose weight if an individual is overweight. Being overweight or obese increases a person's chances of developing arthritis due to increased pressure on the joints. Another way to prevent and treat arthritis is to stretch every single day, preferably twice per day.

People tend to complain of their symptoms usually first thing in the morning, so it is best if stretching is done at that time and then again right before going to bed at night. It is important to make sure that the stretches are basic, slow, and do not contain any bouncing or jerking movements. Be sure to perform a full movement. Ten minutes of slow, relaxed stretching along with some deep breathing is usually just enough to loosen the body up. A lot of people will develop arthritis from not getting enough physical activity. A simple 45-minute walk on most days of the week should be enough to help prevent arthritis.

Sitting and standing up straight are also great ways to take pressure off of the back and neck, two places where arthritis can develop rather quickly. If possible, it is recommended to also practice resistance training three days per week for at least 30 minutes at a time. It may seem like a lot, but it lowers the chances of develop some types of arthritis. When exercising, it is important to make sure that there is no discomfort or straining. Lifting too much can also increase a person's chances of developing arthritis.

Changing your mattress may also help, especially if you are suffering from arthritis in your back and neck areas. Getting the right amount of daily nutrients will help your body in a big way. Always make sure to get enough vitamin D for bone health. When it comes down to it, preventing arthritis is all about taking extra good care of yourself.