Arthritis is one of the major causes of disability among people over fifty years of age, although there are some younger people who are likewise suffering from this crippling disease. This is a condition involving the musculoskeletal system, specifically the joints. It is characterized by joint inflammation, redness, and agonizing pain. As of yet, there is no cure for arthritis, but there are several options to manage this particular condition.
Prevention is always better than cure, so to speak. We are probably not aware that there are risk factors involved with this disease. General practitioners, with their extensive knowledge and hands-on experience know about this fact, are constantly on the lookout for better ways of improving the lives of their patients suffering from this condition. It is better to inform yourself about these risk factors and be involved with the process of determining what would work out best with your given condition. There should be rapport between the doctor and the patient in order to win the fight against arthritis.
Risk Factors of Arthritis
1. Ethnicity
2. Gender
3. Genetics
4. Age
5. Joint injury
6. Occupational stressors or hazards
7. Obesity
8. High-level sports
9. Illness
Gender is one of the common arthritic factors. According to studies, women are more predisposed to having arthritis than men. Women are also able to determine the early signs of arthritis as well as notice the physical changes that are happening to their bodies when affected by this condition. This condition is commonly seen in women than in men.
It is common knowledge that as you age, your body also wears down or deteriorates. Your bones become brittle. Thus, age is one of the common risk factors of arthritis. The risk factor actually increases when you reach the age of forty and above. As you age, you are more susceptible to having this disease.
There have been co-relational studies with that of ethnicity and arthritis, although it is found out to be relatively minor, it is still considered to be vital. Last on the list is genetics; this further shows that arthritis can actually be passed on to generations to come or is hereditary in nature. More extensive research and tests must be performed to further establish the relationship of genetics and ethnicity to arthritis.
The above mentioned risk factors are things that you cannot change because that is part of who you are as a person. Let us focus then on the things that we can alter to increase the chances of taking charge of arthritis. Obesity is one of the evident factors of arthritis. This is commonly seen in women. Excessive weight can be detrimental to your balance and can put too much burden on your extremities.
Moreover, two of the other risk factors involved are infection and joint injury, which may lead to redness or soreness. Also, this includes post traumatic injury factors. Stressful situations in the workplace can also trigger arthritis that is why we have ‘occupation’ in the list of risk factors for arthritis.
It is not enough that you know a little about your condition. It pays to know more or everything about this disease that might turn your life around if you are not keen in catching up with the risk factors involved with this condition. Now that we already know there are non-modifiable risk factors and there are also modifiable ones, we must focus on the factors that we can influence change upon.
Awareness is the key to making a difference in your way of life in order to steer clear of the road blocks of arthritis.
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