Arthritis: Five ways to protect your joints and prevent arthritis pain and symptoms
ARTHRITIS affects around 10 million people in the UK. Follow these five tips to protect your joints, keep them healthy and prevent arthritis pain and symptoms.
This Morning's Dr Chris gives advice on arthritis
Arthritis is a common condition causing pain, swelling and stiffness of the joints.
The two most common types of arthritis are osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis.
Both types of arthritis can be stressful and uncomfortable to live with.
Follow these five tips from the Arthritis Foundation to protect your joints and keep arthritis symptoms at bay.
Arthritis aches and pain can affect your daily life. But there are simple ways to protect your joints, reduce strain and improve how you function each day
Add salad to your five-a-day
Typical salad ingredients, such as lettuce, broccoli, spinach, kale and parsley, can slow down cartilage destruction.
According to the Arthritis Foundation, research has shown salad ingredients can lessen the amount of bone loss that occurs with age, due to their high calcium content.
Move around
During the day, make sure you alternate between sitting and standing in order to prevent stiffness and strain.
Doing too much of one exercise is not good for the joints. Make time for stretches and exercise to relieve joint stiffness.
Stop smoking
People who smoke have a greater risk of fracture than non-smokers.
Smoking can also reduce bone mass, which can lead to osteoporosis.
Warm-up before exercise
Warming up the body before exercising is vital for protecting joints and preventing injury.
Start slowly and get up to speed only after warming up your muscles and joints for at least five minutes.
Boost your calcium intake
Calcium helps keeps bones sturdy and can lower the risk of osteoporosis.
Good sources of calcium include milk, yoghurt, broccoli, kale and salmon.
“Arthritis aches and pain can affect your daily life. But there are simple ways to protect your joints, reduce strain and improve how you function each day,” said the Arthritis Foundation.