From the article: Overweight: A Risk Factor for Osteoarthritis
People who are diagnosed with osteoarthritis are made aware of the factors that increase pain and other symptoms. Managing those factors is important. Perhaps the most well-known recommendation for managing osteoarthritis is weight control. It should come as no surprise that overweight and obesity directly affect weightbearing joints.
Other recommendations involve regular exercise, protecting your joints, eating well, sleeping well, reducing stress, and remaining compliant with your treatment plan. Sounds pretty simple -- but is it? Which recommendations do you find most difficult to follow?
Osteoarthritis and pain
- I wasn't told I had Osteoarthritis for four years, so thought it was my fault. Now I have so many things going on. I am waiting to get my left knee done, I had the right one done just over a year ago, and have not looked back. I miss things I used to do, like dancing. I did professional dancing. And walking, I enjoy what I can do. I don't treat it as an illness, just some thing that happened. I keep as active as I can, but don't get depressed about it. I keep too busy for that. I have a small farm with choos and a gander and my bird, so that keeps me busy. If I am able to go somewhere I make the most of it. I have had both my hands done and that is great, it made it so much easier for me. Just try to keep your faith and I found that has helped me.
- —Guest Yvonne Adams
OA & Weight Loss
- I find exercising and losing weight to the most difficult because of the limitations. I used to being able to go to the gym and jog, walk, run even. Now I am limited to the pool and walking on days I am not in too much pain. Then comes depressed moods and the feeling of defeat and I eat what I want. I am working on my diet with Weight Watchers and my doctor. As for exercise I do what I can and try to smile despite the pain I am in.
- —Guest Chelle
OA
- I got this illness during the time I was working in Kuwait. Ii was 80 kls at that time. Most doctors told me to lose weight but I find it difficult to follow them. Until time comes, which I realized they are right. Up to this time my knee is a big burden for me. And I cant help thinking that someday I will lose my love in dancing. I'm an adventurer and I love going far places..but day by day, my right knee doesn't cooperate anymore. Pain is always there. I do series of medications still nothing happened. Here I am now ,hoping that someday my life will go back to normal.
- —Guest glenda
OA and Obesity
- I get riled up with this issue. When my OA began I weighed 136lbs at 5'3". 5 years later I weigh 172 lbs. Don't blame my OA on my weight. Someone did this recently, she'll not do it to anyone again. I have multiple sites of OA. Primary OA runs in my family.
- —sharimurray
