It is an astonishing fact that one in five or four women suffer from this disease due to factors like sedentary lifestyle and diet. The term arthritis defines a condition that causes inflammation and severe pain in the joints. There are over 100 different types of arthritis, each with different risk factors and symptoms.
In most cases, women develop arthritis in the joints of the hands and knees. Considering women’s physical activity and hormonal changes to accommodate childbirth, women are more elastic and prone to injury. In addition, wide hips affect knee alignment by putting pressure on the joints, making them prone to arthritis. Obesity is the second leading cause of arthritis. Excess weight puts pressure on the joints which increases the risk of arthritis. In some cases, family history may also be the reason behind the diagnosis of gout. A woman whose mother or father has had the disease or is of the same age and similar joints is more likely to develop arthritis.
What Really Happens in knee Arthritis?
The surface of the knee joint (where the bones touch each other) is covered with cartilage (soft cushions) that act as shock absorbers and also reduce friction. Cartilage acts similar to the rubber on your car tire, only it is alive and provides a much better low friction joint. In patients with arthritis, this cartilage is thinned or completely destroyed. This can be appreciated on X-ray as loss of spacing between bone surfaces. In the absence of cartilage, increased friction generates debris, leading to an inflammatory response. This causes pain, swelling, immobility and further joint destruction.
How can it be Treated?
If you are suffering from arthritis of the knee and experiencing the initial stage of this disease, it is better not to ignore it. Include healthy ingredients in your diet and exercise regularly. A healthy diet consisting of high antioxidants, consumption of green leafy vegetables and protein can help prevent arthriti pain. Whereas, cycling, skipping, jogging, swimming and practicing yoga will keep you away from arthritis diseases. In advanced stages of arthriti, total knee replacement provides relief from pain and returns to near-normal activities.
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