Keeping Your Joints Healthy
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(NAPSI)—Knowing a few facts about the wear and care of your joints can help you take steps to keep them healthy.
Healthy joints have cartilage, which acts as a spongy shock absorber on the ends of the bones so they don’t rub against each other. When you don’t have enough cartilage, you can have pain.
<strong style="mso-bidi-font-weight:normal">To Keep Your Joints Healthy<o:p></o:p></strong>
<strong style="mso-bidi-font-weight:normal">• Exercise.</strong> Walking, jogging or swimming helps keep muscles strong, and takes the strain off the joints.
<strong style="mso-bidi-font-weight:normal">• A healthy diet and a healthy weight.</strong> Carrying extra weight stresses your joints. Eat less fat and sugar, and more fruits and vegetables.
<strong style="mso-bidi-font-weight:normal">• A healthy lifestyle.</strong> Get enough sleep and eat a balanced diet.
<strong style="mso-bidi-font-weight:normal">What To Know About Joint Pain<o:p></o:p></strong>
Joint pain often indicates arthritis. Common types are osteoarthritis, gout and rheumatoid arthritis. Other diseases or injuries can also lead to joint pain. As you age, joint pain becomes more common as well.
Fortunately, you can do a lot to feel better and stay active, even if you have these problems.
<strong style="mso-bidi-font-weight:normal">How To Feel Better<o:p></o:p></strong>
• Exercise, moving all your joints. Walking helps <span class="GramE">circulation,</span> supports the joints and strengthens the muscles.
• If you have a sore joint, you can use an ice pack or a bag of frozen vegetables on the sore spot.
• Do your best to maintain a weight that is right for you, since too much weight can make your knees and hips ache.
• Speak up. Tell the doctor if your pain is improving or getting worse. Medicines can reduce pain and stiffness, and a doctor will know if joint replacement is an option you should consider.
<strong style="mso-bidi-font-weight:normal">Joint Replacement Surgery<o:p></o:p></strong>
Joint replacement surgery involves removing a damaged joint and putting in a new one. It’s usually done by an <span class="SpellE">orthopaedic</span> surgeon. Sometimes, the surgeon will not remove the whole joint, but will only replace or fix the damaged parts.
The new joint, called <span class="GramE">a prosthesis</span>, can be made of plastic, metal or ceramic. It may or may not be cemented into place, and your bone will grow into it. New joints generally last at least 10 to 15 years.
<strong style="mso-bidi-font-weight:normal">Learn More<o:p></o:p></strong>
The National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases, National Institutes of Health, has free, easy-to-read information in English and Spanish about joint health. Download or order publications on other topics at <a href="http://www.niams.nih.gov/multicultural">www.niams.nih.gov/multicultural</a> or call toll free (877) 226-4267.
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On the Net:<a href="http://www.napsnet.com">North American Precis Syndicate, Inc.(NAPSI)</a>