October 12, 2024 – World Arthritis Day
Every year on October 12, World Arthritis Day is celebrated. It has been observed since 1996 on the initiative of the World Health Organization. The purpose of this day is to draw public attention and raise awareness about the problems of rheumatological diseases, and the importance of timely diagnosis and prevention of arthritis.
Arthritis is a serious inflammatory disease of one or more joints, which, if left untreated, leads not only to pain and limited mobility, but also to disability and loss of working capacity.
The causes of the disease are diverse: repetitive joint injuries; genetic predisposition; surgical interventions, hypothermia; arthritis is also provoked by viral and bacterial infections; physical and mental exertion; stress; excessive smoking. Risk factors that cause arthritis include caffeine abuse, excess weight, metabolic disorders, and allergic diseases.
And although the causes of arthritis are diverse, doctors are unanimous in the opinion that the best remedy for any disease is prevention.
You can reduce the risk of developing arthritis by following these simple tips:
- Eat a balanced diet, consume more vegetables, fruits, fiber, and foods containing calcium;
- Avoid hypothermia;
- Wear comfortable shoes;
- Give up bad habits (alcohol and smoking can contribute to the development of inflammatory processes);
- Spend more time in fresh air;
- At least half an hour of physical exercise per day will strengthen muscles, improve posture, and preserve and prolong joint health for many years;
- Minimize stress.
If you experience the following symptoms, consult a doctor:
- pain in the joint or joints, especially pronounced at night and in the morning;
- morning stiffness – almost complete immobility in the joints after a night's sleep, which subsides after a short warm-up;
- swelling of one or more joints – a slight increase in their volume, often accompanied by pain and increased temperature;
- deformity – a change in the shape and configuration of the joints.
Your health is in your hands!
State Institution "Rassonsky Center for Hygiene and Epidemiology", October 2024.