Osteoarthritis
A: Yes, it can make you tired! When your joints hurt, your body works harder, and that can make you feel knackered. Also, the more you hurt, the harder it is to sleep. Consequently, when you are tired, the pain can feel even worse!
It's like a vicious cycle: pain makes you tired, and being tired makes the pain worse.
Want to know how to break the pain-tired cycle? Click here to find ways to manage arthritis better!
It's like a vicious cycle: pain makes you tired, and being tired makes the pain worse.
Want to know how to break the pain-tired cycle? Click here to find ways to manage arthritis better!
A: Not really. It's like when you get wrinkles on your skin Once they appear, you can't make them disappear. However, you can still take good care of your skin to help prevent more wrinkles from forming!
But your joints are still intact, and the natural lubricant inside them is still there! With the right care, movement acts like adding "WD-40" helping your joints stay well-lubricated and move smoothly, so they don't get worse.
Want to know how to take care of your joints and keep them strong? Click here to find out!
But your joints are still intact, and the natural lubricant inside them is still there! With the right care, movement acts like adding "WD-40" helping your joints stay well-lubricated and move smoothly, so they don't get worse.
Want to know how to take care of your joints and keep them strong? Click here to find out!
A: It doesn't really "spread" like a cold, but it can show up in other joints, just like how wrinkles can appear on different parts of your face as you age. It's more about how your body changes over time.
Want to know how to take care of your joints and keep them strong? Click here to find out!
Want to know how to take care of your joints and keep them strong? Click here to find out!
A: There is no magic to make it completely go away. But there are ways to make it hurt less and keep it from getting worse, like exercise or medicine. Most people can still go back to their daily activities without needing surgery!
Want to know how to "wear and repair" your joints to keep them healthy? Click here to find out!
Want to know how to "wear and repair" your joints to keep them healthy? Click here to find out!
A: Imagine you have two groups of people: one group that loves to run and another that doesn't move much.
In the running group, only 3 out of every 100 people (3.5%) might get hip or knee arthritis. That's a tiny number! But in the group that doesn't exercise, 10 out of every 100 people (10.2%) might get arthritis.
If you exercise regularly, you cut your chance of getting knee or hip arthritis by almost three times!
Want to know what puts you at risk of developing OA so you can prevent it? Click here to find out!
In the running group, only 3 out of every 100 people (3.5%) might get hip or knee arthritis. That's a tiny number! But in the group that doesn't exercise, 10 out of every 100 people (10.2%) might get arthritis.
If you exercise regularly, you cut your chance of getting knee or hip arthritis by almost three times!
Want to know what puts you at risk of developing OA so you can prevent it? Click here to find out!
A: Imagine you have two groups of people: one group that loves to run and another that doesn't move much.
In the running group, only 3 out of every 100 people (3.5%) might get hip or knee arthritis. That's a tiny number! But in the group that doesn't exercise, 10 out of every 100 people (10.2%) might get arthritis.
If you exercise regularly, you cut your chance of getting knee or hip arthritis by almost three times!
Got an X-ray but unsure what it means for your joints? Click here to book a physio appointment!
In the running group, only 3 out of every 100 people (3.5%) might get hip or knee arthritis. That's a tiny number! But in the group that doesn't exercise, 10 out of every 100 people (10.2%) might get arthritis.
If you exercise regularly, you cut your chance of getting knee or hip arthritis by almost three times!
Got an X-ray but unsure what it means for your joints? Click here to book a physio appointment!
A: Body Differences: Women's bodies are built a little differently than men's, which can affect the knees. For example, women tend to have narrower thighs and thinner kneecaps, which can put more pressure on their knees over time.
Less Cartilage: Cartilage is the stuff that helps your joints move smoothly without pain. Studies have shown that women tend to have less cartilage in their knees, and as they get older, they lose more of it.
Joint movements: Women move their knees differently from men, especially during activities like jumping. They tend to have greater forces pushing forward and backward on their knees, as well as more stress on the knee joints when they extend or bend them in certain ways. This extra strain can make women more likely to develop osteoarthritis.
Injuries risk: Women are more likely to hurt their knees, especially something called an ACL tear (ligaments that hold onto your knee).
Hormones: When women go through menopause, they stop producing as much estrogen, which is a hormone that helps protect cartilage in the joints. After menopause, women are more likely to develop OA, but some research shows that taking estrogen replacement therapy might help protect their knees from arthritis.
Want to know how your thoughts and emotions can impact your osteoarthritis? Click here to find out!
Less Cartilage: Cartilage is the stuff that helps your joints move smoothly without pain. Studies have shown that women tend to have less cartilage in their knees, and as they get older, they lose more of it.
Joint movements: Women move their knees differently from men, especially during activities like jumping. They tend to have greater forces pushing forward and backward on their knees, as well as more stress on the knee joints when they extend or bend them in certain ways. This extra strain can make women more likely to develop osteoarthritis.
Injuries risk: Women are more likely to hurt their knees, especially something called an ACL tear (ligaments that hold onto your knee).
Hormones: When women go through menopause, they stop producing as much estrogen, which is a hormone that helps protect cartilage in the joints. After menopause, women are more likely to develop OA, but some research shows that taking estrogen replacement therapy might help protect their knees from arthritis.
Want to know how your thoughts and emotions can impact your osteoarthritis? Click here to find out!
A: Osteoarthritis (OA) can run in families, meaning it can be passed down through genes. Research shows that there is a strong genetic link to OA, especially in the hands and knees. This means that if someone in your family has OA, you might be more likely to get it too. But it's not just one gene that causes it -it's a mix of several genes and other factors, like the environment or lifestyle choices.
Also, women might be more likely to get OA because of how their genes work differently from men's, and the disease can show up in different parts of the body in different ways. For example, some genes can affect the bones while others might affect cartilage, and that can influence whether someone gets OA in certain areas.
Even though genes are a big factor, things like injuries, body weight, and muscle strength also play a role in developing OA. So, OA is caused by both your genes and things that happen to your body as you live.
Could your job be silently contributing to osteoarthritis in your knees or hands? Click here to find out!
Also, women might be more likely to get OA because of how their genes work differently from men's, and the disease can show up in different parts of the body in different ways. For example, some genes can affect the bones while others might affect cartilage, and that can influence whether someone gets OA in certain areas.
Even though genes are a big factor, things like injuries, body weight, and muscle strength also play a role in developing OA. So, OA is caused by both your genes and things that happen to your body as you live.
Could your job be silently contributing to osteoarthritis in your knees or hands? Click here to find out!
A: Foods High in Saturated Fats (SFA): These fats can increase inflammation and worsen OA symptoms. Limit foods like fatty cuts of meat, full-fat dairy products, butter, and processed foods.
Foods High in Omega-6 Fatty Acids: Omega-6 fatty acids, found in oils like corn, sunflower, and soybean, can contribute to inflammation. Try to reduce these and focus on healthier fats like olive oil or canola oil.
Processed Foods and Sugars: Foods high in sugar and refined carbohydrates, like sugary snacks, soft drinks, and white bread, can increase inflammation in the body, potentially aggravating OA.
Excessive Salt: Too much salt can increase blood pressure and worsen joint inflammation. Avoid foods with high sodium content, such as canned soups, fast food, and pre-packaged meals.
Alcohol: Drinking too much alcohol can negatively affect your joints and lead to increased inflammation. Moderation is key if you consume alcohol.
By cutting down on these foods, you can help reduce inflammation and manage OA symptoms better, especially when combined with weight management and a balanced diet.
Curious about how your diet could help manage osteoarthritis? Click here to discover the foods that can ease your symptoms!
Foods High in Omega-6 Fatty Acids: Omega-6 fatty acids, found in oils like corn, sunflower, and soybean, can contribute to inflammation. Try to reduce these and focus on healthier fats like olive oil or canola oil.
Processed Foods and Sugars: Foods high in sugar and refined carbohydrates, like sugary snacks, soft drinks, and white bread, can increase inflammation in the body, potentially aggravating OA.
Excessive Salt: Too much salt can increase blood pressure and worsen joint inflammation. Avoid foods with high sodium content, such as canned soups, fast food, and pre-packaged meals.
Alcohol: Drinking too much alcohol can negatively affect your joints and lead to increased inflammation. Moderation is key if you consume alcohol.
By cutting down on these foods, you can help reduce inflammation and manage OA symptoms better, especially when combined with weight management and a balanced diet.
Curious about how your diet could help manage osteoarthritis? Click here to discover the foods that can ease your symptoms!
A: Glucosamine: Although the evidence is mixed, some studies suggest that glucosamine might help with pain and function in the short term for certain people with OA, especially for the hands, hips and knees.
Chondroitin: Like glucosamine, chondroitin has shown small effects on OA symptoms but might not provide significant benefits for everyone.
These supplements may offer some short-term relief, but their effectiveness varies. It's recommended to try them for about 3 months to evaluate any noticeable improvements. If you don't see significant results, it's a good idea to reconsider using them. Always consult your healthcare provider before starting any new supplements.
Curious about other treatments for osteoarthritis pain? Click here to explore options that could bring you relief!
Chondroitin: Like glucosamine, chondroitin has shown small effects on OA symptoms but might not provide significant benefits for everyone.
These supplements may offer some short-term relief, but their effectiveness varies. It's recommended to try them for about 3 months to evaluate any noticeable improvements. If you don't see significant results, it's a good idea to reconsider using them. Always consult your healthcare provider before starting any new supplements.
Curious about other treatments for osteoarthritis pain? Click here to explore options that could bring you relief!