How Obesity and Arthritis Are Related
Frequently, obesity and arthritis are seen in the same person. The question is, which one caused the other one, or how does that happen? These are the three possible explanations.
Obesity/Arthritis- first comes obesity
When a person is overweight, it makes it a great deal harder on your body, and the extra effort your body must expend really hits your joints hard. Not only does your cartilage, which cushions your bones, get depleted, but your bones can get worn down too. Arthritis patients very often complain about really bad pain in the knees and hips, and this can quite possibly be explained partly by this reduction in cartilage and bone.
Medical studies seem to indicate that in those people who are obese before they have arthritis, dropping even a few pounds can help out with symptoms.
Even though surgical operations to replace joints can give relief to arthritis patients, most doctors prefer to avoid operating on obese people unless it’s absolutely vital, because of the added risk.
Arthritis/Obesity: First comes Arthritis
If you’re one of those people who likes to indulge in all your favorite foods, and then work out hard to burn it all off, you will likely have to make some changes after an arthritis diagnosis. Since arthritis tends to bring a lot of stiffness and joint pain, it’s possible you won’t always be able to work out as much as you did previously, and that extra food will stick with you.
If you start to see some indicators of arthritis, it’s time to go see your doctor. There are drugs which can help you deal with arthritis effects, and your doctor may prescribe those in addition to injections, physical therapy, or even joint replacement.
Should you have to cut back on your physical activity due to the effects of your arthritis, don’t neglect altering your diet as well. It’s probably going to be necessary to reduce the calories you eat daily, since you might not get as many opportunities to burn them off. Monitor your weight by getting on the scale every other day or so, just to make sure you’re not gaining.
Obesity/Arthritis-and a cause for both
We know that obesity and arthritis are closely correlated, but it does not appear that arthritis causes obesity, or the other way around either. It’s true that a person suffering from one is very likely to have the other, but this correlation is not a causation.
Scientific experts have pondered the possibility of a third condition or factor which is the actual cause of both arthritis and obesity. Advanced age, for example, is an associated risk factor. However, a certain causative factor has yet to be identified.
The smartest way to try to prevent both obesity and arthritis is to eat moderately, get in plenty of physical activity,and make sure to see your doctor right away if you develop pain that makes you unable to exercise.