Doctors attribute most causes of joint pain and inflammation under the age of 40 years to a sedentary lifestyle and diet
World Arthritis Day 2024: Often understood as the disease of the old and elderly people, arthritis – a debilitating condition of the joints and bones – is now being diagnosed more among youngsters. According to experts, this uptick is not just alarming, but also puts a light on the importance of awareness, early intervention, and lifestyle changes that are needed to control and avoid this painful condition.
Even though you are more prone to get arthritis as you age, since joints naturally wear down due to lifelong wear and tear – millions of children and young people also develop this condition.
Why are youngsters getting prone to arthritis?
Doctors attribute most causes of joint pain and inflammation under the age of 40 years to a sedentary lifestyle and diet. Leading causes include not exercising regularly, eating unhealthy foods that are high in sugar and saturated fats, smoking, and obesity. Experts say being overweight only adds stress to joints - especially the knees and hips which are your weight-bearing joints - causing them to wear down faster and bringing arthritis at an earlier age.
Also, those who work out and exercise regularly do not understand the impact of high-intensity training as many times youngsters over train with a lack of sufficient recovery. This results in injury to a joint – and if neglected it leads to the development of post-traumatic arthritis in young people.
How does arthritis affect young patients' lives?
According to studies, early onset osteoarthritis can totally change a young person’s life – affecting their ability to carry out their job or perform their favourite exercise. Older people will still be affected in the same way, but they may have a less active life less keen on intense exercise or professional-level sports.
Also, apart from their physical health, arthritis also affects youngsters mentally. A pressure to ‘fit in’ and be like everybody else can stop them from having the same social life as others – making them feel stressed, anxious, depressed, and left out.
Osteoarthritis in young people can also have an impact on education. If time is needed off school to attend appointments, have surgeries, or deal with pain, then they could be at a disadvantage when it comes to exam passes and grades. Simply walking to school or sitting for long periods of time can also be challenging.
How can you diagnose arthritis early?
According to doctors, even though there is no permanent cure for arthritis, managing the symptoms successfully can help you have a normal, pain-free life. For that, you must:
- Never take joint pain and swelling lightly
- Get a physical examination of the joints to assess tenderness, swelling, inflammation, and mobility
- Get blood tests to rule out the possibility of rheumatoid arthritis or other conditions including gout
- Your doctor can prescribe an x-ray to assess for the loss of cartilage or bone spurs
- A detailed MRI scan provides a detailed image of the inside of the joint, including the soft tissue.
Ways to prevent arthritis at a young age
Some forms of arthritis happen naturally or because of health conditions that you cannot change, so there is not always a way to prevent it. However, you can lower your chances of developing the condition by:
- Avoiding smoking and tobacco products
- Following a diet full of fresh and whole foods and avoiding processed and junk meals
- Doing low-impact exercise regularly
- Always wear proper protective equipment for any activity that could damage your joints.
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