Weight control is important in the care of osteoarthritis (OA), especially if the disease affects weight-bearing joints such as the knees, hips, back, ankles, or feet. Excess body weight can contribute to OA symptoms by putting extra stress on these joints and increasing inflammation throughout the body. Research shows that even modest weight loss (e.g., …
Weight management is an essential part of living well with osteoarthritis. Even small changes to your diet and activity can have significant benefits. Being at a healthy weight can reduce your risk and/or help manage many long-term health conditions, including osteoarthritis. Your overall health, including your mental health, will also benefit from being at a …
Arthritis is a common condition that causes pain and inflammation in the joints of the body. Although arthritis is more common in older adults, it can affect people of all ages, including children. Arthritis can affect quality of life and make daily activities difficult. Is eating important for people with arthritis? It is important to …
Physical activity is any movement that uses your muscles and uses more energy than when you are at rest. You can be active when you work or volunteer, travel to and from places, do housework and yard work, and enjoy leisure activities. You participate in paid and unpaid work, education, and recreational activities. Walking, swimming, …
Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a long-term inflammatory condition that causes pain, swelling and stiffness in the joints. The hands, wrists and feet are commonly affected, but any joint can be affected. RA is an autoimmune condition that occurs when the body’s immune system, which normally fights infection, starts attacking healthy joints. Sometimes symptoms can suddenly …
Obesity is a risk factor for some types of arthritis and makes all types of arthritis harder to control. But it’s not just obese people who are at risk. If you’re more than 10 pounds overweight, you’re putting unhealthy stress on your joints. If you want to have an advantage in protecting your joint health, …
Being overweight can make arthritis worse. So you need to lose weight, but losing weight is hard enough and adding stiffness, pain and fatigue to the mix can feel almost impossible. Obesity can make rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and psoriatic arthritis more active and severe. Fat tissue releases proteins called cytokines, which cause inflammation in the …
A variety of diseases and disorders are often associated with being overweight, including many types of arthritis, including osteoarthritis (OA), rheumatoid arthritis (RA), and the excruciating pain in the big toe called gout. If you are struggling with chronic joint pain and stiffness, your symptoms may improve after you lose unwanted pounds. What does losing …
Inflammation in its various forms is a perfect recipe for public health, with most people reporting that stress negatively impacts their physical health. The two can create a feedback loop of pain and suffering. If you’ve struggled with arthritis and some form of chronic stress, you need to understand how these conditions interact and counteract …
The more you understand how winter can affect your arthritis symptoms, the easier and more effective you can respond with smart strategies to stay comfortable and mobile throughout the season. People with arthritis often have to think about aspects of their daily lives that those with healthier joints may take for granted, including the change …
