If you’re suffering from arthritis – just beginning to, or enduring it for some time – perhaps it is time for you to review your level of physical activity. In short, ask yourself, “Are you getting enough exercise?”
Medical researchers have found that the sedentary and inactive individuals in the general population are more likely to have arthritis than those who get regular exercise. Those suffering from arthritis are far from meeting the recommended levels of physical activity, which is considered undesirable because medical science knows that more physical activity is considered beneficial for the condition. Tests have definitively shown that aerobic and strengthening exercises help those suffering from arthritis.
It is extremely ironic that while it has been proven that exercise delays disability and improves the functioning of the limbs, people with arthritis are more disposed to be inactive and prefer not to exercise at all. They, therefore, miss out on the decreased arthritic pains that results from exercise.
These comments were made by Jennifer Hootman, Ph.D., the co-author of the study report, published in the May issue of the American Journal of Preventive Medicine. The observations of the study showed that those who suffered arthritis do not exercise enough, and that over one-third of all adults who have arthritis do not exercise at all.
Another medical professor, who was not involved in the study, was not surprised by the findings. The professor believes that important thing that should be impressed upon people having arthritis is that it is more dangerous not to engage in any exercise.
Only 37% of all adults suffering from arthritis met the lowest level of physical activity standards set by an expert panel on arthritis, physical activity and public health in 2005. This percentage is similar to people without arthritis.
However, for more rigorous levels of physical activity – the required minimum set by federal guidelines – only 30% of those with arthritis met the standard. The figure was higher for those who did not have it.
The study analysed the data from 2005 National Health Interview Survey, which is an ongoing survey of households that fairly represent the U.S. population. The respondents included 6,829 people confirmed to have arthritis and 20,676 people without arthritis.
The researchers believe that the main obstacles to convince arthritis sufferers to exercise are their fear of pain and the misconception that the joints are harmed by exercise. The challenge is to get them over the initial pain barrier, and if that can be done, the added physical activity will result in reduced pain over the long term.
Aside from difficulties in moving the limbs, arthritis sufferers also suffer recurring depression or anxiety (particularly in women) and severe specific pain in the joints (especially among men).
It is obvious then. If you’ve got arthritis, get some exercise.
Gout Treatment
If you have a gout attack, many doctors recommend oral doses of ibuprofen or naproxen, available in both prescription and nonprescription versions, or other anti-inflammatory drugs. If you are taking aspirin, your doctor may recommend that you stop it temporarily. Aspirin can slow the elimination of uric acid and make gout worse. But if you take a low dose of aspirin to prevent other problems such as a heart attack, check with your doctor before stopping it.
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