Fucoidan Health News January: Tips for Joint Health – Ease Your Arthritis Pain
Tips for Joint Health: Ease Your Arthritis Pain
When I started noticing my fingers were getting stiff and swollen in the morning I never imagined that I had Arthritis. I was only 34!! (Jodie)
Squatting, taking the stairs, or carrying objects may seem easy for most of us but they could be torture for people having arthritis. Many people assume that Arthritis is an illness that causes in elderly people. However, there are many types of arthritis and some of them can occur at any age.
Arthritis is one of the most common chronic diseases in the world. There are 24% (about 58.5 million people) of Americans suffering from arthritis with the pain and immobility caused by it. Thus affecting their quality of life, and even resulting in depression and anxiety.
3 Types of Arthritis
- Osteoarthritis
- Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA)
- Gout
This refers to the gradual wear and tear of the joints. Osteoarthritis is usually caused by injured joint tissues or joint deterioration prompting the joint to grate with pain, tenderness, and stiffness. It is most commonly seen in the hand, the arm, the hip, and the knee. The elderly and women are more at risk for this type of arthritis.
Rheumatoid arthritis is an autoimmune disease, and this long-term condition affects different joints in the body but is commonly found in the hand. People with rheumatoid arthritis usually experience swollen, painful, and stiff joints and sometimes disabilities. Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA) can happen at any age. However, its most commonly occurs from the 30s and 50s, and 75% of patients are women.
Another common type of arthritis is gout; it happens when urate crystals accumulate in the joint. Mostly found in people aged 40 or above, frequent drinking and eating purine-rich food such as offal and shellfish are two main risk factors. As uric acid flows downward, gout affects the lower joints in the body causing inflammation, redness and intense pain and even walking abnormalities.
How to Ease Arthritis Pain and Protect Your Joint:
- Weight control:
Obesity brings more impact to the joint. So, control your BMI and make sure it is below 25.
When we walk, the load on our knees is approximately three times of our body weight. Even a little weight loss can be a great help for your joint!
- Tips on carrying heavy objects:
- Avoid carrying heavy objects. Please put them in separate bags and carry them at intervals or transport them with a trolley.
- Don’t carry objects/bags with one hand but spread the load in both hands evenly. Remember to change positions such as carrying in the palm or the arm in turns.
- Everyday posture:
- Women should wear high heels less frequently. Choose heels shorter than 2 inches and shoes must have thick heels for better support.
- While sitting on the chair, press your back on the chair entirely with the knee and the floor at a 45-degree angle. Your feet must be flat on the floor.
- Avoid lowering your head for too long and repeat doing the same movement.
- While doing your chores, avoid squatting down. For example, kneeling down to mop the floor.
- Diet
- Fucoidan and Agaricus blazei can balance your immune system.
- Green tea is full of antioxidants, and it relaxes your body and mind.
- Fatty fish such as wild salmon, herring, mackerel, sardines, anchovies, trout are excellent sources of omega-3 fatty acids, and they can help improve the symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis.
- Stay Active with mild exercise
Yoga, cycling, and swimming can train our muscles thus enhancing the strength and capacity of the joint. They can help lose weight as well. Find the exercise you enjoy the most and make it a daily habit.
These tips will improve your overall health and prevent arthritis. If you are already suffering pain and stiffness, please seek medical attention immediately.
Obesity brings more impact to the joint. So, control your BMI and make sure it is below 25.
When we walk, the load on our knees is approximately three times of our body weight. Even a little weight loss can be a great help for your joint!
- Avoid carrying heavy objects. Please put them in separate bags and carry them at intervals or transport them with a trolley.
- Don’t carry objects/bags with one hand but spread the load in both hands evenly. Remember to change positions such as carrying in the palm or the arm in turns.
- Women should wear high heels less frequently. Choose heels shorter than 2 inches and shoes must have thick heels for better support.
- While sitting on the chair, press your back on the chair entirely with the knee and the floor at a 45-degree angle. Your feet must be flat on the floor.
- Avoid lowering your head for too long and repeat doing the same movement.
- While doing your chores, avoid squatting down. For example, kneeling down to mop the floor.
- Fucoidan and Agaricus blazei can balance your immune system.
- Green tea is full of antioxidants, and it relaxes your body and mind.
- Fatty fish such as wild salmon, herring, mackerel, sardines, anchovies, trout are excellent sources of omega-3 fatty acids, and they can help improve the symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis.
Yoga, cycling, and swimming can train our muscles thus enhancing the strength and capacity of the joint. They can help lose weight as well. Find the exercise you enjoy the most and make it a daily habit.
These tips will improve your overall health and prevent arthritis. If you are already suffering pain and stiffness, please seek medical attention immediately.
Living with Arthritis…
Even when there is no total cure for arthritis, treatments have improved significantly. So it is possible to ease your pain and preserve your joints affected by arthritis, with proper care.
Umi No Shizuku supports anyone living with arthritis.
