Between women and men, osteoarthritis disproportionately impacts post-menopausal ladies. They’re extra pre-disposed to the situation due to biology, genetics and hormones. Whereas metabolic adjustments, attributable to a poor weight-reduction plan and a sedentary life-style, set off the genetic reprogramming of cells within the physique and joints, the query arises — why ladies, and never males?
Dr. Chethana D, Guide – Rheumatology, Aster CMI Hospital, Bangalore informed indianexpress.com that girls are extra susceptible to osteoarthritis than males primarily due to hormonal adjustments, particularly after menopause when estrogen ranges drop, which impacts joint well being. Girls additionally are likely to have much less muscle mass and extra versatile joints, which may put additional stress on the bones and cartilage.
Dr Debashish Chanda, Director, Division of Orthopedics, CK Birla Hospital, Gurugram added that females even have wider hips, influencing knee alignment and placing extra stress on weight-bearing joints. Additionally, having a decrease quantity of muscle mass than males offers much less joint stability and assist, and the upper chance of weight problems, significantly following menopause, additionally performs a task in joint irritation and stress. Genetic susceptibility taking part in an element in predisposing ladies to osteoarthritis can also be a contributing issue.
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How are you going to forestall the onset of osteoarthritis?
Dr Chanda shared that making wholesome life-style modifications will delay and even forestall the event of osteoarthritis. Listed here are a number of life-style tweaks to make:
- Protecting a wholesome weight is important, as dropping even a small quantity of weight will dramatically cut back the load on hips and knees.
- Train repeatedly, particularly low-impact actions resembling swimming, strolling, yoga, or biking, retains joints supple and aids the muscle stress that maintains them in alignment.
Extra critical situations the place it interferes with actions of each day residing might embody alternative surgical procedure of the joint.(Supply: Freepik)
- A weight-reduction plan wealthy in anti-inflammatory meals, omega-3 fatty acids, calcium, and vitamin D maintains bone and joint well being, and limiting extreme processed meals and sugar may even reverse irritation.
- Joint safety by sustaining good posture, utilizing correct ergonomic assist, and avoiding repetitive pressure additionally lowers the danger of untimely degeneration.
Therapy
Based on Dr Chanda, there may be no treatment for osteoarthritis, however there are various therapies that may present reduction and stop additional loss.
“Self-care measures resembling physiotherapy, stretching, and utility of warmth or chilly packs relieve stiffness and ache. Treatment resembling NSAIDs, topical anti-inflammatory gel, or analgesics are essentially the most often prescribed drugs, whereas critical situations embody corticosteroid or hyaluronic acid injection to help mobilization,” he elaborated, including that extra critical situations the place it interferes with actions of each day residing might embody alternative surgical procedure of the joint.
With a therapy combining preventive interventions, early medical care, and life adjustments, ladies can decrease their threat noticeably and improve the standard of life with osteoarthritis current.
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DISCLAIMER: This text relies on data from the general public area and/or the specialists we spoke to. At all times seek the advice of your well being practitioner earlier than beginning any routine.