For many of us, engaging in physical activities and an active lifestyle is a key part of staying healthy. But for seniors living with arthritis, this can be significantly harder to do due to the discomfort and inflammation caused by the condition. Arthritis affects more than 50 million adults in the U.S., according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). To prevent it from disrupting your or your loved one's quality of life, it's important to understand what causes arthritis, its symptoms, and how you can manage them while still maintaining an active lifestyle.
What Is Arthritis?
Arthritis is an umbrella term for over 100 medical conditions that cause chronic pain, stiffness, and swelling in the joints. This condition can affect people of all ages. There are even cases involving young children as well. While it's most common among seniors, it's important to remain vigilant about your health no matter your age so that you can detect arthritis early if any symptoms begin to appear.
Types of Arthritis
There are several types of arthritis, including osteoarthritis (OA) and rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Osteoarthritis is a result of wear-and-tear on the body that occurs naturally with age and appears mostly in adults who are 50 years or older. Rheumatoid arthritis develops when the immune system attacks its own healthy tissues forming painful inflammation around certain joints such as wrists, knees, elbows, hips, and hands.
Causes of Arthritis
The exact cause behind each form varies greatly depending on which type one may have. However, some causes linked to these conditions include genetic susceptibility, deficiencies in hormones like estrogen during menopause for women (which can increase the risk for osteoarthritis), and infectious diseases such as long-term illnesses from bacteria or viruses causing rheumatic fever, leading to rheumatoid arthritis. Family history also puts senior citizens at higher risk since autoimmune disorders tend to run together within families.
How to Manage Arthritis
There are some effective ways to manage arthritis and improve seniors' quality of life, such as:
- Learning new self-management skills: Joining a self-management education workshop can help seniors learn how to cope with arthritis symptoms, reduce stress, communicate with their healthcare providers, and set realistic goals.
- Being physically active: Physical activity can help relieve arthritis pain and improve function, mood, and overall health. Some examples of physical activities are walking, swimming, cycling, tai chi, and yoga.
- Improving joint health: Steps can be taken to protect joints from further damage and inflammation. Some of these steps include maintaining a healthy weight, using assistive devices such as braces or canes if needed, applying heat or cold therapy to sore joints, and doing gentle stretches that move the joints through their full range of motion.
How to Maintain an Active Lifestyle
Maintaining an active lifestyle is key to managing arthritis. Stretching and low-impact exercises can help loosen tight muscles, which can make moving around more comfortable.
Whether you need help for a few hours a week or around the clock, Senior Helpers of Southwest Houston can provide compassionate and reliable caregivers who understand your needs and preferences. If you're in or near Houston, Pearland, Bellaire, or Harris County, contact us today and discover how we can help your loved ones maintain an active lifestyle!