Joint Health Is Not Just For Seniors

Do you think that joint health is just for seniors? Think again. According to the CDC, 24% of adults (58.5 million people) in the United States have arthritis with nearly more than half of them being between the ages 18 to 64.

So, this is not just a senior issue anymore, but both a working age group and young adult problem. In fact, about 8 in 100,000 young adults between the ages of 18 to 34 have been diagnosed with arthritis and although this might seem rare, it can cause problems in the long run.

What do the joints do?

To fully understand the importance of joint health, it is best to understand what joints are and how they benefit the body. Joints are where two or more bones are joined together. They can be either rigid (i.e., bones in the skull) or moveable (i.e., knees, hips, shoulders).

Cartilage is found on many of our joints and they allow bones to glide over one another and prevent them from rubbing against each other, thus helping to both cause movement and protect the bones.

What is Arthritis?

Although there are other joint damages that can occur, one of the most common ones is arthritis. Arthritis is a condition that causes inflammation and pain of the joints. It comes in many different forms:

●Osteoarthritis. This is the most common type that is seen in the older population. It occurs when the cartilage in the joints breaks down and wears away, leading to rubbing of bones. Pain, swelling, and loss of motion on the joints are often a result.

●Rheumatoid arthritis (RA). This is an autoimmune disease where the immune system attacks the tissues of the joints as if they were foreign material. Along with pain, swelling and motion loss, people with RA may also feel tired and sick and can get fevers as well. This can further progress to and damage other organs such as the heart and lungs if not treated.

●Gout. This is the buildup of a chemical called uric acid crystals in the joints. It commonly affects the big toe and causes extreme pain and limited movement.

●Juvenile arthritis. This is also called childhood arthritis which is a term that describes arthritis in children causing joint pain, swelling, warmth, stiffness, and loss of motion. Sometimes this condition can go away either with treatment or by itself permanently as they become older.

What are ways to improve joint health?

Ultimately we all age and we may occasionally experience aches and pains, but if you are younger, it is best to prevent issues in the future by implementing some tips to improve your overall joint health.

●Get to and maintain ideal body weight. Carrying excess body weight can do more damage and can put a huge strain on your joints. Being in a good ideal body weight will not only improve your overall health, but can reduce pain, stiffness, and lack of function associated with joint pain, especially in regard to the knees.

●Implement low impact exercises/range of motion exercises. Swimming, golfing, walking, and cycling are some gentler types of exercises that will put less strain on the joints.

●Strengthen muscles. Our muscles support our joints to ensure they are as strong as possible. Weight training is a good way to improve overall muscle strength.

●Change diet. What we eat is going to have the biggest impact on how we feel, especially when it comes to our joints. It is best to reduce consuming foods that cause inflammation which are typically refined sugar, processed foods, and alcohol. You could also add anti-inflammatory foods into your diet which will decrease inflammation and lead to an overall healthy lifestyle.

●Stop smoking. Smoking increases the risk of developing osteoporosis and bone fractures as well as other negative health effects. If you have issues with bone and joint health, smoking cessation will help to improve these issues.

●Get quality rest. Not getting quality sleep will make your joints worse as well as cause worsen pain which can lead to a joint disability. Implementing good sleep hygiene such as going to bed and waking up at the same time every day, reducing electronic use right before bedtime, and meditating or taking a warm bath can help improve your joint health.

●Pay attention to your body. Ensuring that you are paying attention to any pain signals that are located on your body and avoiding exercises or activities that cause stress on joints is the best way to improve joint health.

●Add supplements. Increasing intake of vitamin D and calcium are great ways to improve bone health to decrease the risk of fractures that can also affect the joints. Taking fish oil supplements can also help to manage inflammation and ease stiffness of the joints. Glucosamine and chondroitin are two substances (usually found together but can also be separated) that are naturally found in cartilage to protect it and reduce inflammation.

Overall joint health shouldn’t be something you start to think about when you get older. Joint problems can occur at any age and measures should be taken now to prevent them in the future. Prevention is better than seeking treatment, therefore getting a head start on joint health needs to be done now to enable you to continue to live your best life.

Disclaimer: This information is meant to be used for educational purposes. These statements have not been evaluated by the Food & Drug Administration. These ingredients and InvigoFlex is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any diseases.

As with any medical information on health, it is always best to check with your personal physician who knows your medical history best since they are more qualified in giving you the best recommendation. Our information, advice or recommendation is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have.