Bhakti Paun Sharma
... Read More
By clicking “Accept All Cookies”, you agree to the storing of cookies on your device to enhance site navigation, analyze site usage, and assist in our marketing efforts. Cookie Policy.
Written By: Bhakti Paun Sharma | Published : October 12, 2015 2:38 PM IST
October 12th is World Arthritis Day
We asked Dr. Vishal Kaura Agarwal, Rheumatologist and Consultant Physician, PSRI Hospitals, why arthritis is often related with old age and here are her inputs.
Arthritis falls in the category of chronic diseases, which means it occurs over a long period of time and its effects start cropping up as you age. The most common reason for arthritis in elderly people is due to stress and strain on the joints over the years. The body, as a whole, undergoes a lot of wear and tear as you age. In case of old-aged people, this wear and tear of joints may be the result of basic physical activities or due to injuries in the past. To know if you could be at the risk of osteoarthritis, click here.
If you neglected your body when you were young, the effects will be seen once you get old. Being overweight or obese is also one of the reasons of arthritis. The joints become weak as you age and the excess weight increases the strain on them. Also, obesity increases mechanical as well as fat cell related damage to the cartilage, and is also a factor for causing early osteoarthritis. Here s how you can lose weight in old age.
Osteoarthritis is the type of arthritis which is more common in elderly people because of long-term wear and tear of cartilages at the end of bones forming joints, especially weight-bearing joints like knees, says Dr. Vishal. In India, the incidence of knee osteoarthritis is frequent because we squat a lot and usually sit on the floor, climb up and down the stairs frequently or stand in kitchens or place of work for long durations. Lack of walking is also one contributimg factor. Some genetic diseases, family history of osteoarthritis, diseases like diabetes and hypothyroidism can also cause osteoarthritis early in life.
Bone density lessens with age. This makes the joints more susceptible to pains and aches. Also, it is easy to bounce back to normal when you are young but as you age, the recovery process slows down. Read this Inspiring real-life story of a woman who reversed her arthritis naturally.
Eating a balanced diet and exercising regularly right from young adulthood is the best way to prevent arthritis once you age. Since rheumatoid arthritis is an autoimmune disorder, age isn t a factor. Gout is also independent of age since it is caused due to high levels of uric acid but is common in old men just like rheumatoid arthritis is common in women. Hence, the incidence of osteoarthritis is common among old aged people.
Image Source: Shutterstock
For more articles on diseases and conditions, visit our diseases and conditions section. For daily free health tips, sign up for our newsletter. For disease related queries, visit our forum.
