In an article published in The New York Times, Kelli Dominick Allen, PhD, Professor of Medicine at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill School of Medicine, revealed how individuals may be able to reduce their risk of developing arthritis as they age. In a recent survey—conducted by the Institute for Healthcare Policy and Innovation at the University of Michigan—about 67% of 2,200 respondents aged 50 to 80 years believed arthritis to be an inevitable part of aging, and 60% of them reported that they had already been diagnosed with arthritis. However, Dr. Allen explained that despite these beliefs, the onset of arthritis is often not the result of aging. Individuals who had joint injuries when they were younger, have a family history of arthritis, are obese, and live with cardiovascular disease or diabetes may be at an increased risk for developing arthritis. For individuals who have early symptoms such as joint aches, pain, and stiffness, altering their lifestyle may be key to preventing the condition. Dr. Allen recommended exercising regularly to reduce knee pain and improve joint functionality, strengthening the muscles around the joints to increase support, losing weight or maintaining a healthy weight, taking precautions to protect the joints when playing sports, and allowing joints to fully recover from injuries that do occur. Additionally, individuals can take medications such as ibuprofen or acetaminophen and wear joint braces to help reduce pain as well as manage cardiovascular conditions or diabetes to further reduce their risk. “[Individuals] who [are] trying to maintain a healthy lifestyle will already be doing the [activities] that are most important for reducing arthritis risk,” concluded Dr. Allen.
May 25, 2023