Arthritis is an inflammatory disease of the joints. Arthritis produces pain in the affected joints, swelling and stiffness. There are more than 100 types of arthritis. Osteoarthritis is the most common form of arthritis. There is no cure in sight because arthritis is a result of several years’ of wear and tear. Thus, ageing is the major cause for the onset of painful arthritis. Some relief can be obtained through the use of anti-inflammatory drugs, but this is not the solution to dealing with arthritis.
Weight Creates Problem
As is known, the joints, particularly the knee joints, have to take the burden of bearing our body weight. Thus, any increase in body weight puts plenty of stress on the knee joints. This stress on the knees can become a big problem if you are already afflicted with arthritis produced by ageing.
Fix Reachable Goals
It is not necessary to lose every gram of the weight you have accumulated over and above the prescribed normal limits. Planning for reduction must involve logical and attainable goals. Every gram of weight shed helps the cause of ameliorating the suffering derived from arthritis. This is where the use of proper diet comes into place.
Choose Your Own Diet
There is no hard and fast rule as to which diet would turn out to be the best when it comes to losing weight. Each affected individual must work out as to what would work out well. Ideally, it is better not to skip meals. Instead, it would be better to start by reducing the quantity of food consumed.
Eat At Home
Try to avoid dining out as far as possible. Restaurant meals are meant to entice people with taste and therefore, are usually loaded with fat and calories. It is better to cook at home and eat. That way, you can decide what is good for you and you can decide what goes into the preparation of your food. Thus, you also decide how many calories enter your body.
Exercise Supplements Dieting
Controlling your diet solves only part of the problem. Going on a diet may prevent further weight accumulation, but weight loss programs should always be accompanied by increased physical activity. This is easier said than done. For people who are experiencing pain, exercise would be the last thing on their minds. Running as a form of exercise is totally ruled out. This activity is virtually impossible because of the pain factor. There is also a serious possibility of damaging the already affected joints.
Mobility Is Key
This is not to say that physical activity should be totally avoided. Activities like walking and swimming, which would not put strain on the joints, are ideal to complement the other weight-reducing activities like dieting. Light resistance exercises also help out. Walking is important for people suffering from various forms of arthritis. Mobility is the key to preventing deterioration in arthritis. In fact, the only activity which is totally bad for arthritis sufferers is inactivity.
Sources
1. Garfinkel MS, Schumacher HR Jr, Husain A, Levy M, Reshetar RA, “ Evaluation of yoga based regimen for treatment of osteoarthritis of the hands”, J.Rheumatol., 1994, 21(12):2341-2343.
2. Fransen M, Crosbie J, Edmonds J, “Physical therapy is effective for patients with osteoarthritis of the knee: a randomized controlled clinical trial”, J.Rhematol., 2001, 28(1):156-164.
3. Bosomworth NJ, “Exercise and knee osteoarthritis: benefit or hazard?”,Can Fam Physician, 2009, 55(9):871-878.
4. Rosebaum CC, O’Mathuna DP, Chavez M, Shields K, “Antioxidants and anti-inflammatory dietary supplements for osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis”, Altern Ther Health Med., 2010, 16(2);32-40.
Disclaimer
The information contained in this article is for educational purposes only and should not be used for diagnosis, or to guide treatment without the opinion of a health professional. Any reader who is concerned about his or, her health should contact a doctor for advice.
Vangeepuram Satakopan - I am using my 32 years' experience in the field of BIochemistry to explain health related topics. Dr.Vangeepuram Satakopan
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