- Arthritis is a chronic disease which affects the joints of the body both large and small joints.
- These diseases are a common cause of discomfort and disability.
- Seek a medical opinion early if you have pain or discomfort in joints or backache. Early diagnosis and treatment reduce disability.
- Exercise regularly, restrict alcohol and smoking, maintain an ideal body weight and take a balanced diet, adequate sleep – all help todevelop healthy bones and joints.
- Being progressive in nature these diseases require adequate and timely interventions to reduce and delay chronicity.
World Arthritis Day –Help Raise Awareness of Rheumatic and Musculoskeletal Diseases
This year World Arthritis Day is being celebrated with the theme “It’s in Your Hands, Take Action”. The aim of celebrating this day is to raise awareness of rheumatic and musculoskeletal diseases (RMDs).
Rheumatic and musculoskeletal diseases comprise over 150 diseases, which are progressive in nature and are associated with severe chronic pain, joint damage and disability. It represents degenerative, auto-immune and inflammatory conditions affecting millions of people around the world. Broadly it can be categorized as joint diseases, physical disability, spinal disorders and conditions resulting from trauma.
Some of the Rheumatic and musculoskeletal conditions, which has negative impact on our society include:
- Rheumatoid Arthritis –It is a chronic progressive disease causing inflammation in the joints, connective tissues, muscles, tendons and fibrous tissue. It can result in painful deformity and immobility in wrists, fingers, feet and ankles
- Osteoporosis – Osteoporosis is a disease that weakens the bones as you age and increases the risk of unexpected fractures of the hip, spine and wrist
- Osteoarthritis – It is a degenerative joint disease, mainly affecting the articular cartilage as you age. It mostly affects the joints like knees, hips, fingers and lower spine region
- Spinal Disorders –Spinaldisorders include trauma, spinal cord injury, mechanical injury, inflammation, tumour and infection
- Severe Limb Trauma –It includes amputations, fractures, open wounds, crushing injuries dislocations, blood vessel and nerve injuries that can lead to permanent disability
Rheumatic and musculoskeletal diseases depend on your age, occupation, activity level and lifestyle.
Prevention measures to Rheumatic and musculoskeletal conditions
- Regular strengthening exercises and stretching can help keep your bones, joints and muscles strong
- As this is a progressive problem as you age, it is crucial to change your lifestyle and take care in the ways you work everyday
- Maintain a tall posture to prevent back pain. Also, be careful when picking up heavy objects
- As your knees have to support the body weight, being overweight or obese can increase pressure on your knees. So, maintain a healthy weight
- You have to prevent yourself from injuries while playing sports as these injuries can damage the cartilage, creating problem in future
You have to visit your doctor immediately, when you do start to develop arthritis. As it is a progressive disease, meaning longer wait can lead to severe problems in your bones.