What can be done to prevent arthritis or reduce the disabling effects of the disease?
People with arthritis often do not think that anything can be done to help them. They may not seek medical attention because they believe arthritis is an inevitable consequence of aging. However, there is a lot that can be done to prevent arthritis and to ease its debilitating effects. Arthritis prevention focuses on good nutrition and moderate physical activity to maintain a healthy body weight. Precautions should be taken to avoid repetitive joint use, and sport- and work-related injuries. For those living with arthritis, proper diagnosis by a health care professional is a key component of effective treatment. Good nutrition and physical activity are highly recommended. Three types of exercise are beneficial to people with arthritis. They are range-of-motion, strengthening, and endurance. There are many arthritis medications, depending on the type of arthritis, which have been proven to reduce the pain and inflammation of the disease. Other treatment recommendations include rest, hea
