Note: The wise dentists will make sure to refer to various health issues in their dental internet marketing, so that they help their patients lead a healthier lifestyle. In this article, the importance of healthy joints is discussed.
Joints are where the bone meets bone, and then there is the cartilage that protects the joints, and finally, there is lubrication in the form of a membrane called synovium that facilitates easy movement.
Osteoarthritis affects men and women equally and is caused by the inflammation of the synovium, which occurs when the cartilage wears down. The cartilage can get to the point of erosion where the bone rubs on bone. This wear and tear occurs over time and is very common among elderly people. People over 50 are likely to have at least one arthritic joint and it usually impacts weight-bearing joints such as the knees and hips.
On the other hand, rheumatoid arthritis will tend to affect women more than men and seems to be caused by an attack of the tissue, in this case the synovium, by the immune system. It all starts with pain, soreness and stiffness of the joints, especially the hands and feet, and develops into scar tissue in the joint, and in more advanced cases, fusion of the bones.
The best way to counter this serious health problem is exercising, keeping your muscles strong to protect the joints and remaining flexible to prevent pain from movement.
It is important for everyone to exercise, not just the young. Also, you don’t need to workout as if preparing for the Olympics. There are simple, easy and accessible exercises that everyone of every age can do and benefit from. Dentists should always remind their patients about the importance of exercising through their dental web site marketing.
Here is how to lower your risks of arthritis:
- Maintain a healthy weight in proportion to your body. The more weight you have, the more strain you put on your joints, especially the knees and back. If you are even only 10 pounds overweight, you put 60 pounds per square inch of extra pressure on the knees for each step you take. A study showed that women who lost 11 pounds or more over a 10 year period decreased their chance of having osteoarthritis of the knees by 50%.
- Stretch for about 20 seconds, relax and repeat. Do this on a daily basis and especially before you engage in any physical activities.
- Walk. This may be the best exercise in the world because it is simply and can be done anywhere, anytime. It is better for the joints than running, as it is a lower impact exercise.
Remember that humans are made to be active and use their body. It is the healthiest habit you can have. And as a concerned and involved dentist, advise your patients to exercise regularly and direct them to your dental website marketing for more information and tips.