Did you know that over 32.5 million Americans suffer from osteoarthritis?
Although this condition becomes more
common as we age, it can be prevented and managed. If you're worried about
developing osteoarthritis, adopting good habits while you're young is a great
place to start.
Are you curious about learning how to prevent osteoarthritis? Keep reading for five important lifestyle changes you can make.
1.
Maintain a Healthy Weight
Since osteoarthritis results in stiff and painful
joints, one of
the most effective osteoarthritis prevention tips is to maintain a healthy
weight.
If you're currently overweight, your
body has to work harder to carry out physical tasks, which puts stress on your
joints. The key to losing weight (and keeping it off) is to make sustainable
lifestyle changes instead of trying fad diets or exercises.
2.
Do Strengthening Exercises
Exercise is also essential for
osteoarthritis prevention because muscle mass supports your bones and joints.
Cardio is a great way to burn calories, but you shouldn't forget about weight
training activities, too.
If you're not the type of person who
enjoys lifting weights at the gym, there are plenty of easy bodyweight exercises you can do at home to build muscle.
3.
Avoid or Treat Any Injuries
If you want to help stop
osteoarthritis, you need to take injuries seriously. It's best to avoid getting
injured altogether so your joints don't have to suffer from any trauma.
Stretching and respecting your body's limits during exercise is a simple way to
prevent getting hurt.
If you do get injured, make sure you
do everything you can to allow the injury to heal properly. This could involve
going to the doctor, applying ice or heat, resting, doing strength training
exercises, and seeing a physical therapist.
4.
Eat a Wholesome Diet
Out of all of the tips for
preventing osteoarthritis, improving your diet can be one of the most
challenging lifestyle changes to make.
In our fast-paced society, it's
understandable why so many adults can't remember to eat multiple servings of
fruits and vegetables every day. Taking the time to figure out how you can
incorporate more healthy foods into your diet is always worth the investment,
though.
By supplying your body with the
vitamins and minerals it needs, you'll not only avoid serious conditions like
osteoarthritis, but you'll also notice that you have lots more energy, sleep
better, and feel less stressed.
5.
Quit Smoking
Another effective way you can help
prevent osteoarthritis is to quit smoking. Do your best to avoid secondhand
smoke as well.
Smoking is one of the unhealthiest
habits because it affects so many different functions in the body. The toxins
found in cigarette smoke can make it difficult for your body to absorb the
nutrients it needs to stay vibrant, so quitting smoking can have a huge impact
on your wellbeing.
Now
You Know How to Prevent Osteoarthritis
If you follow these five tips on how
to prevent osteoarthritis, you can make your health your top priority.
Do you want to know other ways you can adopt a more mindful lifestyle? Make sure you explore the rest of our site to find more helpful wellness guides.
