Agonizing 2 Bone Diseases Arthritis & Osteoporosis

Bone Diseases like arthritis and osteoporosis are rapidly increasing due to our changing lifestyles, weight gain, and wrong diet. Earlier this type of disease mostly affected old people but now young people are also falling prey to this disease.

Arthritis

Arthritis is commonly called rheumatism. In this, the joints of the body become inflamed. The surface of the joint, i.e. the cartilage, gets damaged. This causes joint pain, swelling, and stiffness.

Rheumatoid is more common in women, while men are more likely to suffer from gout, the main reason being aging, weight gain, or loss of calcium in the body.

Osteoarthritis causes pain and swelling in weight-bearing joints such as the waist and back, while rheumatoid arthritis causes swelling and pain in joints such as the hands, wrists, and elbows.

Causes of arthritis

• Apart from this, the disease usually occurs due to a decrease in the amount of calcium in the body.
• Being too active in sports causes this problem in the future.
• Cross-leg habits can also cause this disease.
• This problem can occur when not doing knee exercises.
• This problem can increase by lifting heavy goods with the wrong posture.
• Sitting in one place for a long time can cause this problem.

Types of Arthritis

• Rheumatoid arthritis
• Osteoarthritis
• Psoriatic arthritis
• gout
• lupus erythematosus

Non-operative care

• If you are diagnosed with arthritis, you can treat it without surgery by making small lifestyle changes such as not sitting on the ground, not standing unnecessarily, not climbing stairs, taking shakes at home, or getting physiotherapy treatment for your knees. Simple exercises you can do at home as advised are very beneficial.
• You can also take some medicines as per the doctor’s advice but do not take painkillers anyway, act according to the doctor’s advice.
• If there is still no change and the pain is severe, it can be treated with surgery, which involves joint replacement.

What is joint replacement?
In joint replacement, the worn surface of the joint is removed and a new joint is placed over it, which changes the surface of the joint and makes it smooth.

Benefits of Joint Replacement
Knee pain goes away after joint replacement—the patient’s ability to walk increases.
Climbing stairs, sitting and standing on chairs and sofas become easier.

Disadvantages of joint replacement
Joint placement relieves the pain but the patient cannot sit on the floor, run, or jog.

Arthritis self-care

Certainly! Here are some self-care tips for managing it.

Stay Active: Regular, low-impact exercises like swimming, walking, or cycling can help keep your joints flexible and strengthen the muscles around them. Consult your doctor or a physical therapist for a tailored exercise plan.

Maintain a Healthy Weight: Extra weight puts added stress on your joints, particularly in the knees, hips, and spine. Losing weight if you’re overweight can help reduce pain and slow the progression of arthritis.

Use Joint Protection Techniques: Learn how to use your joints wisely to minimize strain. For example, use larger joints to carry objects, and use assistive devices like jar openers or gripping aids.

Pain Management: Over-the-counter pain relievers like acetaminophen or NSAIDs can help manage pain and inflammation. Consult your doctor before using it regularly.

Physical Therapy: A physical therapist can teach you exercises and techniques to improve your range of motion and strengthen the muscles around your joints.

Heat and Cold Therapy: Applying heat (with a heating pad) or cold (with an ice pack) to affected joints can reduce pain and inflammation. Discuss with your doctor which one is best for your specific type.

Balanced Diet: A diet rich in fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and lean protein can help control inflammation and manage your weight. Omega-3 fatty acids found in fish are particularly beneficial.

Stay Hydrated: Drinking plenty of water helps keep the joints lubricated and can reduce the risk of gout attacks.

Rest: Listen to your body and get enough rest. Avoid overusing your joints, and be sure to get quality sleep to aid in healing.

Manage Stress: High-stress levels can exacerbate arthritis symptoms. Relaxation techniques such as deep breathing, meditation, or yoga help manage stress.

Joint Supports: For certain types of arthritis, using braces or splints can provide extra support and reduce pain during specific activities.

Medication Management: Follow your doctor’s prescribed medication plan diligently. Do not stop or change medications without consulting your healthcare provider.

Regular Check-ups: Keep up with your doctor’s appointments to monitor your condition and make necessary adjustments to your treatment plan.

Avoid Smoking and Limit Alcohol: Smoking can contribute to the development and progression of certain types of arthritis. Limiting alcohol can help reduce inflammation and potential medication interactions.

Learn About Your Arthritis: Understanding your specific type of arthritis and how it affects your body can empower you to make informed decisions about your self-care.

Self-care is essential in managing arthritis And over body health as well.

Osteoporosis

Osteoporosis is generally a disease of bone weakening. Which osteo means “pertaining to bone” and porosis means “to become hollow”. This disease occurs when the protein and calcium within the bones begin to decrease. In which problems arise from bone pain to fractures, which invite other problems, so it is necessary to treat them on time.

Causes of Osteoporosis

• This disease is usually more common in women than men. After giving birth, women experience calcium deficiency which is often very difficult to replace.
• Menopause in women accelerates bone loss with age, with some women losing 40 to 50% of their bone mass in this process.
• Even if drugs like steroids have to be consumed for a long time, the disease is more likely to apply.
• The disease is more likely to occur in people who lead an inactive lifestyle as well as a sedentary lifestyle.
• This disease can also occur due to smoking or excessive alcohol consumption.
• In women, the greatest reduction is seen in the metatarsal bone, the long bone near the wrist, while in men the carpal bone is not significantly affected, but there is a reduction in the volume of the vertebral metatarsal and metatarsal bone. Commonly back pain, short stature or body leaning forward are important symptoms of this disease.

Symptoms of Osteoporosis

• The symptoms are usually not immediately apparent but the effects are clearly visible when the bones begin to suffer. Let us know what kind of signs we see in this disease.
• Constant back pain
• Bend the body forward.
• Feel weak and tired with little activity
• bulging back.
• A slight reduction in height over time.
• Fractures easily

What to do to prevent osteoporosis?

• To prevent this disease, first of all, you need to eat a balanced diet and consume more foods rich in calcium and vitamin D. Like milk, curd, green vegetables, etc. The diet should include millet, ragi, gram, gram, soybean, green vegetables, spices like turmeric, dates, dry grapes, fruits, and milk.
• Protein plays a very important role in strengthening bones so consume plenty of protein-rich foods.
  Stress-relieving activities like yoga and meditation should be done as well as regular walking and other exercises. Sun exposure in the morning is very beneficial for this disease.
  It should be known that the body weight is balanced. Regular checkups should be done to maintain proper levels of calcium and vitamin D in the body. For this, a bone density test is also done which needs to be done regularly after a certain age.