Less Physical Activity Makes Indians More Prone to Arthritis, Say Experts

Health experts say that Indians need to do more physical exercise and not ignore the initial symptoms of arthritis.

India currently is home to 2.5 million arthritis patients, experts say and the figure is growing fast.

Diet, Nutrition and Supplements for Osteo-Arthritis and Rheumatoid Arthritis
Rheumatoid arthritis patients should consume a diet rich in natural antioxidant and anti-inflammatory nutrients and avoid foods like sugar, saturated fats, and trans fatty acids.

"Arthritis is not a single disease, it has hundred forms varying from hip joint, knee joint, finger joint and many more. India is currently a hub of all forms of arthritis patients," Hemant Gopal, senior consultant (Rheumatology) at Max Super Specialty Hospital told IANS.

"Indians are most prone to arthritis as physical activities among them are the least as compared to people in other countries," he added.

He said the age group prone to this bone disease is decreasing sharply and is no longer restricted to people in their 50s and 60s.

Quiz on Arthritis
Do you know that there are more than 100 types of arthritis? If you think that only old people suffer from arthritis, take this intriguing quiz to get your facts on arthritis.

"There have been certain cases where I have treated both male and female patients under 30 years. They have come to me with complaints of severe joints pains," added Gopal.

He said every Indian above the age of 35 who complains of any joint pain could be patient of arthritis.

Decompression Surgery Effective Method of Treating 'Arthritis of the Spine'
Researchers have found that opting for a decompression surgery could be an effective way of treating cervical spondylotic myelopathy (CSM).

"People tend to ignore the early symptoms and then in the later part of their life it becomes acute, " added Gopal.

Rajeev Sharma, senior orthopaedics and joint replacement surgeon at Apollo Hospital, said the mian problem in India is that people ignore the affliction at the initial stage just because the pain is mild.

Treatment of Systemic Juvenile Arthritis Guided By Recommendations From Physicians
Estimates from the American College of Rheumatology (ACR) reveal that there are nearly 300,000 children with juvenile arthritis and other rheumatic illnesses in the U.S.

"Many people in their late 30s are not ready to accept that the joint pain that they experience is the symptom of arthritis," he added.

"Though issues such as late detection, poor food habits and obesity leads to arthritis, we have also found that Indians are not keen to go through the implant surgeries that can cure the affliction from its roots," Sharma told IANS.

Madhujeet Gupta, a consultant pain physician at Fortis Hospital, said that compared to the 100,000 cases of knee implants in India, this was 10 times more in the West.

Though the number of Indians undergoing implants have increased, it will take at least 10 more years to equate the number of implants in the West, Gupta added.

"Also, the Indian patients need to realize that if they want to get rid of the problem completely they need to consult the right person at the right time. If they think their symptoms are of arthritis then they should consult a rehumatologist for proper diagnosis," said Gopal.

"Its better to kill the disease at an early stage rather than suffer throughout the life," he added.

Source-IANS