How to Reduce the Risk of Arthritis and Maintain Healthy Joints

The fact is, there is no sure way to prevent arthritis. However, you can take steps to reduce the risk and delay the possible onset of certain types of arthritis. If you have healthy joints right now, it is important to maintain mobility and function and avoid pain and disability associated with arthritis. There are more than 100 different types of arthritis, but the three main types are osteoarthritis (OA), rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and psoriatic arthritis (PsA).

Each type develops differently, but all are painful and can lead to joint deformities and loss of function. Aim for at least two 20- to 30-minute sessions a week of strength exercises. Try doing 8 to 10 repetitions of each exercise with weight or 10 to 15 repetitions without weights or with lighter weights. Stretch at least 4 to 5 days a week and hold each stretch for 10 to 15 seconds. You can stretch at the end of your workouts or in the morning when you wake up.

About 50 percent of people who injure their anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) have radiographic signs of knee arthrosis within 10 to 15 years. That risk exists even for people who have surgery to repair a torn anterior cruciate ligament. The relationship between arthritis and diabetes is twofold. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), 47 percent of American adults with diabetes also have arthritis. People with arthritis have a 61 percent higher risk of developing diabetes. We review what people with psoriatic arthritis should know about the safety and effectiveness of different vaccines against COVID-19. There is no known cure for arthritis.

However, a person can take steps to reduce the risk of arthritis developing or worsening in the fingers and hands. These measures include strengthening exercises, dietary changes, and adjustments to daily habits. The CDC Arthritis Program recognizes five self-management strategies for managing arthritis and its symptoms. So what can you do? The good news is that there are risk factors for osteoarthritis that women can address to prevent arthritis. According to the National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases (NIAMS), a combination of genetic and environmental factors triggers the development of rheumatoid arthritis.

A person can try several techniques to help prevent hand arthritis from becoming debilitating. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the most common type of arthritis in the United States is osteoarthritis. Another exercise a person can try to prevent or alleviate arthritis symptoms is to squeeze an anti-stress ball or tennis ball. To reduce your risk of developing or worsening arthritis, it is important to maintain a healthy lifestyle. Eating a balanced diet rich in fruits, vegetables, whole grains, lean proteins, healthy fats, and low-fat dairy products can help reduce inflammation in your body. Regular physical activity helps keep your joints flexible and strengthens your muscles around them, which helps protect them from injury.

It is also important to maintain a healthy weight as extra weight puts extra stress on your joints. Finally, if you experience any joint pain or swelling, it is important to see your doctor as soon as possible so that they can diagnose any underlying condition that may be causing it.

Jill Sizemore
Jill Sizemore

Total food lover. Passionate beer maven. Beer ninja. Proud web specialist. General twitter scholar.