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Chronic pain impacts all of us in one way or another.
Whether you struggle with headaches, back pain or repeat mental
exhaustion, our bodies have a lot to defend against and wherever
possible we want to limit our exposure to common pain triggers.
Rheumatoid arthritis is just one of the many chronic health conditions
which is the result of a weakened or fragile immune system. With RA, the
body’s own immune system mistakingly attacks joints, causing painful
swelling, aches and fatigue. Unfortunately some are genetically more
prone to developing this condition, however there are lifestyle
practices which can place even the healthiest individuals at risk of
developing rheumatoid arthritis. Whether you struggle with joint pain
now, are at risk for developing it later in life or are completely
healthy, here are the top 7 triggers which can encourage arthritis in
even the best bodies:
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High Impact Exercise
You may think that those long runs along the road are doing your body
good, but studies show high impact exercises like running and some team
sports can cause swelling in the joint tissue and lead to long term
damage.
If running is your thing, make sure you spend a good 10 to 15 minutes
stretching and warming up your joints. Always wear appropriate and
supportive footwear and try to avoid paved and concrete running paths as
they can be especially hard on impact. Nature trails or rubberized track
routes are your best bet. |
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Sedentary Lifestyle
Although extreme work outs can do damage, the opposite is no better for
your joints. The muscles in your body are there for a reason: to protect
your joints and cushion them from abuse. A lack of muscle strength can
mean a lack of joint protection.
Exercise increases blood flow throughout your body and can help minimize
inflammation and encourage rapid healing. |
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Obesity
Think of your body as an architectural structure. Your joints support a
great deal of weight and if the load is greater then the initial
building plan, you could end up with some serious problems.
According to a 2014 publication in the Annals of Rheumatic Diseases,
obese people with rheumatoid arthritis have higher disease activity
scores. Regardless of what stage of arthritis they have, it will
progressively get worse as a result of increase weight strain on the
joints. |
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Stress
Remember that but about the immune system mistakingly attacking the
body’s joints? Well stress is an excellent motivator for spinning our
immune system into a frenzy and can cause increased inflammation in our
joints and the connective tissues surrounding them.
Not only can exercise help you lose excess weight and strengthen
protective muscles, it is proven to reduce stress. Win all round! |
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Omega-3 Deficiency
Omega-3 fatty acids are one of the best dietary supplements for treating
rheumatoid arthritis. On the contrary, the CoX-2 enzymes found in
Omega-6 fatty acids (from red meats and vegetable oils) can actually
increase inflammation and make symptoms worse.
Adopt a diet with higher flaxseed content and foods fortified with
omega-3s like fish and reduce your red meat intake.
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Avoiding Treatment
Like any disease, early detection can make all the difference. As the
first sign of chronic pain, seek a professional consultation, whether it
be your naturaopathic, massage therapist or family doctor. Some
supplements can fortify your body against rapid joint degeneration.
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Smoking
This should be a no brainer. Even if you don’t suffer or will never
suffer from rheumatoid arthritis you must quit smoking. Heart disease,
cancer and chronic lung infections should be reason enough but on top of
all those, smoking can make the pain of arthritis ten fold.
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