Arthritis is a common joint pain condition that affects more than 10 million people in the UK, causing inflammation of the joints, stiffness and even reduced mobility. But what is it that makes these millions of people more susceptible to arthritis than others?
Understanding how and why certain people are more at risk of developing arthritis can provide vital clues as to how best to manage your own joint health, so let’s take a closer look at some of the things that can make someone more susceptible to arthritis.
Genetics and family history
Your genes can play a significant role in whether or not you develop arthritis. If you’re aware that a close relative – e.g. a parent or sibling – has experienced rheumatoid arthritis or osteoarthritis, the likelihood that you will develop arthritis yourself is higher.
This is because the genes we inherit can, to some extent, dictate how our body and joints function, for example by impacting how our immune system behaves (a factor in rheumatoid arthritis) or how our cartilage repairs itself (a factor in osteoarthritis). So even though having a family history of arthritis isn’t a sure-fire sign that you too will have arthritis, it does mean you should keep an eye out for early symptoms and seek medical advice if they occur.
Age and natural wear and tear
Although arthritis can occur at any age, the most common form of the condition is osteoarthritis, which is more prevalent in old age. As we progress through life, the strain and movement that our joints go through naturally wears down the cartilage that provides a protective cushion for our joints. As a result, osteoarthritis often occurs as a result of the inevitable wear and tear that accompanies ageing. Although ageing obviously can’t be avoided, the accompanying pain and stiffness can be managed with various treatments ranging from pain medication to drug-free gels such as FlexiSEQ.
Gender
The hormonal differences between men and women means that women are more predisposed to both rheumatoid arthritis and osteoarthritis. To give one example, the hormone oestrogen is believed to help preserve cartilage, so as oestrogen levels decrease during the menopause, some women may find themselves more susceptible to osteoarthritis. Higher oestrogen levels are also associated with women having looser ligaments – known as ligament laxity – than men, which when coupled with the differences in joint alignment may make women generally more prone to osteoarthritis.
Physically active jobs
People who do work that requires a lot of strenuous physical activity – for example those who work in construction, in the military, or any role that involves being on your feet all day – are putting their joints through a significantly higher amount of regular strain. Carrying heavy loads, repetitive lifting or simply standing still can place a lot of pressure on the joints involved, contributing to accelerated wear and tear. Meanwhile, those who are largely sedentary in their jobs and sit at a desk all day are at lower risk of osteoarthritis, but may be at higher risk of stiffness and other conditions caused by a low-activity lifestyle.
Weight
Being overweight is a significant risk factor in developing osteoarthritis, due to the additional stress placed on your body’s load wearing joints by the extra weight. As a result, the wear and tear caused by any activity your body goes through is multiplied, speeding up the breakdown of cartilage and magnifying any existing pain. Making sure you have a balanced diet to help maintain a healthy weight is one of the best things you can do to minimise the likelihood of developing osteoarthritis – and losing even a small amount of weight can reduce the pressure on your joints significantly.
Previous injuries
Existing joint injuries increase the likelihood of developing arthritis in those joints later in life – whether that be an injury you have experienced at work, while playing sports, a fracture, or ligament tears. Joints can remain slightly weaker or misaligned after healing, which can increase the progress of wear and tear or make your joints more prone to inflammation. Effective rehabilitation after any injury is crucial, as is managing any stiffness in any previously injured joints – something for which many people have found FlexiSEQ to be incredibly effective.
Autoimmune conditions
Rheumatoid arthritis is different to osteoarthritis in that it isn’t caused by wear and tear to the joints, so is less closely linked to old age. The condition is the result of the body’s immune system mistakenly attacking joint tissue, thereby causing inflammation and pain. This means that people who have other autoimmune conditions – like lupus or thyroid disease, for example – may be more likely to experience rheumatoid arthritis. Rheumatoid arthritis often requires medical treatment to control the inflammation, and the condition always benefits from early diagnosis and treatment.
Help is always at hand…
Whatever the cause and nature of your osteoarthritis, there are always places you can turn to for help, and treatments that can be undertaken to help alleviate the pain and discomfort of arthritis. The most important thing is not to suffer in silence, and to make sure you get the help you need to find the right solutions for you.
