5 Simple ways to keep arthritis at bay

It’s estimated around 10 million people in the UK have arthritis, and although it’s often seen as an older person’s affliction, anyone can get it – including children. Here, Mr Panos Gikas, a consultant orthopaedic surgeon at The Lister Hospital in London, part of HCA Healthcare UK (hcahealthcare.co.uk), outlines seven ways to reduce your risk of developing osteoarthritis... 1 Maintain movement Regular exercise and being physically active isn’t just important for keeping your cardiovascular health in good shape, it’s essential for keeping joints happy too. 2 Be mindful of muscles “Another important factor that everyone should be aware of is maintaining good musculoskeletal strength,” stresses Gikas. “Again, this is achieved by regular, moderate exercise which will help to keep the bones and joints healthy, and should be carried out by people of all ages.” 3 But don’t overdo it While regular exercise at all ages is essential for lowering the risk of arthritis, Gikas notes that overdoing exercise can be detrimental. “Keeping fit and healthy is essential, but actively doing an exercise or activity which overexerts the joints could cause problems and ultimately lead to the onset of the condition,” he explains. 4 Body weight is key Hand-in-hand with regular exercise, another important way people can lower their risk of arthritis is by maintaining a healthy body weight. Gikas explains that when you exercise, the amount of pressure felt by your knee joint is estimated as being the equivalent of seven times your body weight. 5 Look out for food triggers “Not only should you be mindful of diet in terms of your body weight, it’s also important to understand that certain foods or food groups can trigger inflammation – the primary cause of arthritis,” warns Gikas. Foods or types of food to watch out for include sugar, saturated fats, refined carbohydrates, gluten, and alcohol.