Arthritis is among the most common health conditions afflicting Americans. It, in one of its many forms, is estimated to impact 1 in 4 adults. Predicting exactly who will be impacted by arthritis and when is far from an exact science. However, there are several known factors which can increase an individual's risk for suffering from arthritis in the future.
Controllable Arthritis Risk Factors
Fortunately, many of the potential risk factors for arthritis are ones that are well within our individual control. These particular risk factors require a certain level of dedication and lifestyle change to mitigate, but they can be improved with effort. Such risk factors include:
- Obesity - Being overweight or obese puts excess stress on the joints which can cause accelerated wear and tear.
- Sedentary lifestyle - Movement is essential to healthy joints. Leading a largely sedentary lifestyle with little physical activity is a known contributor to the development of arthritis.
- Smoking - Smoking is connected to an overwhelming number of health conditions and is also shown to worsen and speed the progress of certain forms of arthritis.
- Poor Diet - Eating the right types of food helps the body function at its most optimal level, including joint performance. In addition, a healthy diet also helps offset other risk factors like obesity.
Uncontrollable Arthritis Factors
Of course, there are also several risk factors for arthritis that are completely out of our control, making it all the more important that we take the steps we can to address those within our reach. Among the factors we cannot dictate are:
- Age - Nearly every form of arthritis is more likely to impact us in our later years, after decades of wear and tear on the joints.
- Sex - For many of the most common types of arthritis, women are more at risk than men. In fact, 60 percent of all arthritis patients are female.
- Genetics - Certain types of arthritis like rheumatoid arthritis are associated with the prevalence of certain genes. People with these genes are far more likely to suffer from the disease.
Arthritis Treatment in Zachary
If you are suffering from the painful symptoms of arthritis, it is important to seek the help of a qualified healthcare professional. Contact the physicians at Lane Family Practice to learn more about how we can help you find relief.
