Arthritis no more a disease of older people: Docs
Ignorance has brought down the average age of arthritis patients, say experts. What used to be a disease afflicting people above 55 years of age is now catching up with even those in their late 30s, they say.
Speaking at a press conference in the city on Wednesday, founders of the Arthritis Foundation of Lucknow (AFoL), Dr Sandeep Kapoor and Dr Sandeep Garg said people can delay the onset of arthritis with lifestyle modification. “There is treatment for arthritis -- the ultimate one being joint replacement. But if lifestyle modification (healthy diet, exercise/ yoga) are adopted and risk factors are avoided, one can keep the disease at bay,” said Dr Kapoor.
The AFoL in association with Healthcity Hospital and Trauma Centre will organise an event on World Arthritis Day on Thursday. People will participate in cyclothon, walk and yoga, and Mahendra Singh, minister of state (independent charge) for medical and health will be the chief guest. Doctors and other eminent personalities from the city will also attend it.
Dr Garg said, “Based on the population data for arthritis, I can say that out of 30 lakh people living in Lucknow, 1.5 lakh are ignoring the early symptoms of arthritis. Categorically, 20% of them are aged between 30 and 40 years, and can easily check the onset of the disease by preventive methods. But, they are not even aware of their status.”
He added that arthritis or the joint disorder that commonly affects older people is now catching up with youngsters, even teens! Half of the patients coming to hospitals are aged between 40 to 50 years, while 20% are below 30 years, he said.
The doctors said that as the disease progresses, patients are no longer able to grip objects as well as they did earlier. Initially, they are able to carry on with normal life, bearing the pain with some stiffness or swelling in joints. However, gradually pain killers become ineffective, said doctors.
NEW TREATMENT UNDER CONSIDERATION
Doctors said that a new treatment for arthritis was under consideration. The method involves regenerating joint cartilages. “However, before making it available for patients, we need to study its impact,” said Dr Sandeep Kapoor. Dr Sandeep Garg said that like stem cell therapy, the new method could be used on patients in the initial stage of the disease. “But more considerations are needed,” he said.