Why are more and more young Indians suffering from arthritis?

Why are more and more young Indians suffering from arthritis?

There has been a rise in the number of young Indians diagnosed with knee arthritis and other problems of joints and ligaments, a health expert said Monday.

‘Arthritis or the damage that sets up in our body joints is considered a problem associated with ageing. Loss of cartilage, depleting calcium, wear and tear of the ligaments, or excessive weight have contributed to the onset of arthritis.

‘However, we are now seeing a rise in the number of younger patients with osteoarthritis, Rajeev.K. Sharma, senior consultant and orthopaedic and joint replacement surgeon at Apollo Hospital, said here in a press conference on the occasion of the ‘National Bone and Joint Day’ Monday.

Sharma highlighted on the need to create awareness among young people and having a healthy lifestyle.

‘Obesity, lack of exercise, injury in bones or muscles, hereditary defects in alignment of legs, faulty lifestyle and absence of physical activity lead to early degeneration of muscles and cartilage around the joints,’ he added.

According to experts, though the number of young patients with arthritis might be barely 10 percent, it is important to encourage youngsters to walk, cycle and perform regular exercise.

Here some fruits for arthritis

Citrus fruits: Citrus foods like oranges, lemons, sweet lime and grapes are loaded with vitamin C that is extremely important for collagen synthesis. Collagen sources can be beneficial for people with osteoarthritis because they play an important role in building and repairing ligaments and bones. Apart from that, vitamin C also acts as an antioxidant and an anti-inflammatory agent, which makes it a super-food for people with rheumatoid arthritis. 

Cherries: Cherries are an excellent way to fight arthritis. They are packed with compounds called flavonoids that are powerful anti-inflammatory agents. They help the body to eliminate free radicals from the system and strengthen the cartilage, joints and tendons. They are also beneficial for lowering uric acid levels in people suffering from gout.

Berries: Blueberries also loaded with flavonoids like anthocyanins and proanthocyanins. These compounds have a significant ability to build and strengthen collagen. They help reduce frequent flare ups in arthritis. Read more about 5 fruits to fight arthritis naturally

With inputs from IANS