While osteoarthritis is not a hereditary disease per se, if you have a family member suffering from osteoarthritis, your chances of getting it grows. For one, your average weigh is affected by your genes and being overweight is only a short way from osteoarthritis. Also, you risk having this disease if you put one particular joint under a lot of stress for a long time.
Osteoarthritis is responsible for reduced mobility of the joints of over twenty-one million Americans. It usually affects women above 45 years old, but it can happen also to men. In case of people below the age of 45, osteoarthritis attacks men more often than women.
Exercises and dieting are two best ways to prevent the onset of osteoarthritis or at least reduce the severity of the disease. Exercises will help you get rid of the spare tire you have, thus reducing the stress put over the joints while moving. What is more, exercising will strengthen the muscles, making joints work more because of the muscles, not the cartilage. This will reduce the speed of cartilage loss and prolong the period of relative health. However, you need to consult with your doctor prior to starting any diet or physical training program. First, your diet should still contain nutrients that slow down the disease. Then, some exercises may put too much stress over your joints and may damage them instead of strengthen.
Another important thing is assuring that the diet contains enough Omega-3 fatty acids to reduce the soreness of the joints. Renowned for their anti-inflammatory effects, Omega-3 fatty acids are must-be in the diet of every osteoarthritis' victim. The acids are commonly found in salmon and herring, but as a normal American diet does not contain enough of those fish, most doctors encourage their patients to take Omega Daily of other food supplements which provide enough Omega-3 fatty acids to reduce the severity of osteoarthritis.
The most important thing in treating osteoarthritis is the early detection. If there's a pain in your joints than recurs more and more often, talk to your doctor immediately.
About the Author
About this Author: John Andrews reports on subjects that are important in helping people help themselves. For more information on Omega Daily and Osteoarthritis just click on the links.
|