Fingers and thumbs are small parts but play an extremely important role in all daily activities. From holding, writing to using the phone or typing on the keyboard, all affect the joints of the fingers and thumbs.
Because they have to work continuously and flexibly, the joints in this area are susceptible to injury, especially when you get older or have unreasonable living habits.
However, you can completely proactively prevent this condition by making small changes in your daily living habits and health care.
Tips to prevent arthritis in the fingers and thumbs
Arthritis not only causes pain but can also impair hand function, seriously affecting the quality of life if not taken care of early.
Here are 5 tips to help you prevent it effectively:
1. Maintain gentle, regular movement for your hand joints
Regular movement plays an important role in keeping your hand joints flexible and healthy. Simple exercises such as stretching your fingers, rotating your wrists or squeezing your hands open not only help improve blood circulation but also reduce stiffness, especially in the morning.
Keeping your hands in one position for too long, such as when using a computer or phone, can make your joints more susceptible to inflammation and loss of function over time. Therefore, be proactive in changing positions, gently moving your hands between activities.
Even small movements such as squeezing a soft ball, rotating your wrists or stretching your fingers can have positive effects if done regularly. These activities not only help maintain basic hand strength but also contribute to slowing down the progression of osteoarthritis in the elderly or those with risk factors for hand arthritis.
2. Protect joints in daily activities
Every seemingly harmless action in daily activities, if repeated or overdone, can cause long-term damage to the joints of the hands. Movements such as holding heavy objects, opening bottle caps, or even typing for many hours can overload the joints. Therefore, distributing force reasonably, using the whole hand instead of putting pressure on a few fingers is a smart way to avoid injury.
In addition, small support tools such as anti-slip grips, protective gloves or wrist pads can become effective companions, especially for the elderly or those who have to use their hands a lot at work. Actively protecting joints not only reduces the risk of inflammation but also helps you maintain natural mobility for a long time.
3. Control weight and have a reasonable diet
Few people think that weight is also related to the health of hand joints, but in fact it is. When your body weight exceeds a reasonable level, your joints still have to endure indirect pressure due to the systemic inflammation that spreads throughout the body. Maintaining a stable weight not only reduces the risk of arthritis but also helps the body fight chronic inflammation.
At the same time, diet plays a decisive role in nourishing and protecting your joints. A menu rich in antioxidants and omega-3 fatty acids can reduce inflammation, while limiting processed foods, refined sugars and alcohol will help limit damage to the joints. This is a comprehensive and sustainable approach to protecting your hands from arthritis from the inside.
4. Pay attention to the early symptoms
Arthritis in the hands rarely starts dramatically, but is often silent with vague signs such as a slight pain when moving, stiff joints in the morning or weakness when holding light objects. However, if not properly cared for, these symptoms can gradually become serious and lead to permanent joint deformity.
Early recognition is vital in disease control. A little redness around the joint, a burning sensation or a change in the shape of the finger are all warning signs that the body needs support. Early intervention can help preserve hand function and prevent many unfortunate consequences.
5. Keep your mind relaxed, control stress
The mind and body are always closely linked, especially in chronic inflammatory diseases such as arthritis. Prolonged stress can promote inflammation in the body, worsen symptoms and even trigger acute inflammation. That is why taking care of your mental health should be considered an indispensable part of your arthritis management plan.
Taking time each day to meditate, breathe deeply, take a slow walk or simply relax to some soothing music can also help reduce stress levels and improve sleep quality. A relaxed state of mind not only helps the patient feel more comfortable but also contributes to actively controlling the progression of arthritis.
