What is World Arthritis Day? What is the significance of this celebration in terms of our overall health? May we all work together to raise global health awareness about rheumatic and musculoskeletal diseases.
World Arthritis Day, or WAD, is celebrated every 12th day of October. It is an annual awareness event founded by Arthritis and Rheumatism International (ARI) in 1996. WAD aims to raise awareness of these issues among the general public, both children and grownups.
Rheumatic and musculoskeletal diseases, or RMDs for short, exist and affect people from all over the world, regardless of whether some are undiagnosed, and others are neglected. Organizations and patient advocacy groups will spread awareness of the indications associated with arthritis and emphasize the significance of early diagnosis in order to be given effective medical treatment as soon as possible.
In general, millions of individuals in the United States suffer from arthritis. Many people who are experiencing the symptoms continue to ignore them, causing them to go undiagnosed and mistreated. Many people identify arthritis with the elderly and the health issues that they suffer, and people over the age of 65 are the most affected. But there are other patients who are younger, even teenagers, and, in rare cases, newborns.
Type of Arthritis
Arthritis is caused by inflammation or swelling of one or more joints. It describes over 100 illnesses that affect the joints, surrounding tissues, and other connective tissues. The symptoms of arthritis vary depending on the type, but they commonly include joint pain and stiffness. If you are suffering from arthritis, movement becomes challenging and uncomfortable.
There is no treatment for rheumatoid arthritis or osteoarthritis, although regular exercise and weight loss might help relieve the symptoms. Pharmaceutical assistance concentrates on lowering discomfort rather than treating the illness.
Osteoarthritis is the most common type of arthritis. Some people refer to it as "wear and tear" arthritis or degenerative arthritis. You will commonly experience pain in your hips, knees, and hands. Aside from joint damage, it can also impact muscles, connective tissue, tendons, and fibrous tissue.
Aside from osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis, other types of arthritis include spondyloarthropathies, juvenile arthritis, infectious and reactive arthritis, psoriatic arthritis, systemic lupus erythematosus, and gout.
Meaningful Ways to Observe World Arthritis Day
Raise Awareness
Awareness is vital for prevention and early detection, which allows you to treat it at an incipient phase and avoid serious complications. It will encourage people to take testing earlier and adopt healthy practices. Increasing awareness of and access to arthritis therapies can assist people with arthritis and other chronic illnesses to improve their health and quality of life.
Start a healthy habit.
Celebrating this holiday in a meaningful way should start within yourself. You can begin by making positive changes in your life, especially if you have joint pain or a family history of arthritis. Although arthritis cannot be avoided entirely, it can be managed with regular exercise and a nutritious diet.
Engage yourself in physical activities.
Physical activity, such as regular workouts, is extremely helpful in the prevention of arthritis. By simply moving your body, you increase joint flexibility and reduce your chances of developing arthritis as you age. But if you have persistent early symptoms, don't hesitate to see your doctor for consultation and recommendations.
Be informed.
Being informed allows you to help distribute information and educate others about arthritis. Know that there are solutions that might aid you or a person who needs them to recover from chronic discomfort.
If you know someone, who has it, you can help them by organizing a get-together that they can enjoy while also alleviating their symptoms, such as exercising together. It's great to have someone who can help you when you're in a difficult situation.
Arthritis Home Remedies
As previously said, there is no solution for arthritis, but there are several alternative remedies you can use to lessen your suffering. It does not claim to cure or eliminate your condition, but it does help, at least, manage the pain.
Workout and Physical Activities
Exercising can help keep the joints flexible. In general, low-impact aerobic exercises such as swimming and water aerobics will benefit the majority of people with knee and joint pain. These exercises can be therapeutic for your joints. When aerobic exercise becomes a part of your routine, the results can be truly rewarding.
Making Use of Assistive Devices
Assistive devices can help protect your joints. Using canes, walkers, and braces can help relieve strain on uncomfortable knee joints. It can help to reduce discomfort and make getting around simpler.
It will also improve your grip and give you more power. Different assistive devices have the sole purpose of making your daily tasks manageable. You can also use compression sleeves to alleviate your knee pain.
Use Heating Pads and Ice Packs
The power of using pads and ice packs cannot be underestimated when it comes to relieving pain. Heat and cold treatments work by stimulating your body's natural healing process.
Heat, in fact, dilates blood vessels, promotes blood circulation, and minimizes muscle spasms.
Cold compresses minimize inflammation by restricting blood vessels. They have the ability to numb severe pain.
Key Takeaways
As we celebrate World Arthritis Day today, let us all work together to raise rheumatoid arthritis awareness in any way we can. Let those who suffer from it know that they are not alone and that there are treatments available to help them.
Despite the fact that there is no cure for arthritis, treatment, lifestyle changes, and education can assist in relieving joint pain and other arthritis symptoms. It is also extremely beneficial if companies begin to participate in promoting awareness. It facilitates additional specialists who can advise and offer treatments and therapies.
It is always beneficial to be in the know as far as our health is concerned, especially now that we recently faced a worldwide pandemic. Be excited and eager to learn more about fitness and health.
Happy World Arthritis Day to everyone!