World Arthritis Day: Arthritis and Women – Times of India

More women than men are affected by arthritis. Worldwide, 18.0% women and 9.6% men above age 60 have symptomatic osteoarthritis (OA). Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is four to five times higher in women than in men at age below fifty, and two times higher at age above sixty. Also, osteoarthritis pain in women is usually more severe than in men.

In India also OA is more common in women than in men. Seventy percent of India women above age 65 have radiological evidence of OA.

Reasons for higher risk of arthritis in women

Exact reasons for higher prevalence of arthritis in women is not known. The likely contributing factors are:

Symptoms

More than one hundred types of arthritis are known. Signs and symptoms vary with the type of arthritis but may include:

Diagnosis

Diagnosis is made from symptoms and clinical evaluation and from:

Treatment

Exercises and physical therapy may strengthen the muscles surrounding the joints and may improve range of movement of the joint. Splints or braces may also help. If these measures do not help, then one of the following surgeries may be used:

Alternative medicine

Alternative medicine such as Acupuncture, fish oil supplements, Chondroitin and Glucosamine may help. But no scientific evidence to support that.

Foods

No scientific evidence that foods can reduce symptoms of arthritis. But it may help to avoid certain foods, and to eat certain foods.

Foods to avoid:

Foods to include:

Conclusion

Arthritis has no cure. It adversely affects quality of life. It can make it difficult to use hands and arms, to do daily tasks, to walk easily, to sit erect. It affects posture by misalignment and misshaping of joints. It has crippled many a life around the world.

To reduce the risk of arthritis, achieve and maintain correct weight, do thirty-forty minutes of moderate exercise five-six days a week, do Yoga, tai chi, and take relaxing massage. These measures will strengthen the muscles and keep the joints lithe and working.

Finally, as Stephanie Walters says, nobody can take away your pain, but dont let pain take away your happiness

Views expressed above are the author's own.

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World Arthritis Day: Arthritis and Women - Times of India