Is There Anything I Can Do to Avoid the Development of Arthritis?

While there is no way to prevent arthritis, you can do numerous things to reduce your risk of developing this painful, chronic disease. Also, there are many ways to manage pain and symptoms. It’s important to note that arthritis is not one disease but a group of about 100 conditions associated with worsening joint pain.
 

About 20% of adults in the US have been diagnosed with some form of arthritis, with the three most commonly diagnosed being osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, and gout. At Midwest Sports and Interventional Spine, in Lake Geneva and Kenosha, Wisconsin, board-certified interventional pain management specialist Cyril Philip, MD, can diagnose arthritis and develop a personalized treatment plan to help you slow the progression of this potentially debilitating disease. 
 

Treatments can help you manage pain and symptoms so that you can return to an active, pain-free life. Here, Dr. Philip shares the most effective ways to reduce your risk of developing this disease or slow its progression. 

Lose weight

Excess weight puts excess pressure on your joints. Research shows that the increase in arthritis rates is directly related to the rise in obesity rates. According to the Arthritis Foundation, ten extra pounds of body weight puts 15 to 50 extra pounds of pressure on your knee joints. Conversely, losing just one pound reduces four pounds of pressure on your knee. Furthermore, research shows that over ten years, losing ten pounds can cut in half your risk of developing arthritis.
 

Eat a healthy diet

Eating a healthy diet helps maintain a healthy weight and benefits joint health. Additionally, a diet rich in anti-inflammatory foods such as whole grains and olive oil can help reduce your risk of developing certain types of arthritis, especially gout, an inflammatory type of arthritis triggered by crystalized uric acid that forms in your joints.
 

Exercise safely

Exercise helps build up the muscles around your joints, providing stability and reducing wear and tear. Additionally, exercise helps lubricate your joints, enabling them to move smoothly and preventing stiffness. However, exercising safely and carefully is vital because injuries can damage cartilage and increase your risk of arthritis. 
 

Practice good dental hygiene

You may be thinking, what does good teeth have to do with healthy joints? Gum disease can increase your risk of developing rheumatoid arthritis (RA), an autoimmune and inflammatory disease. Conversely, rheumatoid arthritis can increase your risk of developing gum disease. Therefore, whether you’re trying to prevent RA or decrease symptoms of RA, it’s essential to practice good oral hygiene.
 

You can’t change some things that increase your risk of developing arthritis, such as a family history and getting older. However, you can reduce your pain and symptoms with a healthy lifestyle. 
 

For more information on treating and preventing arthritis, call Midwest Sports and Interventional Spine to make an appointment or request one online.