Our last article here spoke to you about the importance of a healthy diet to lessen inflammation and osteoarthritis side effects. Here's the rest of the story...
We all know that maintaining a healthy weight is important for our overall health (diabetes, heart disease, mental health). But, did you know that if you are overweight, you are at higher risk of more pain, inflammation and other chronic conditions in your joints and bones? Yes, the benefits of maintaining your weight and exercising regularly has long-reaching effects on your orthopeadic health.
Simply put, losing weight reduces pressure on your joints. Here is a fact proven in a 2005 study in Arthritis & Rheumatism of overweight and obese adults with knee osteoarthritis ... they found that losing one pound of body weight resulted in four pounds of pressure being removed from the knees. This means that even a slight weight loss can lessen joint pain and improve function. But, not just in the knees. Weight loss can lower inflammation levels in your entire body.
Weight loss can be a tough undertaking but it almost always provides many positive effects on the joints and bones. It can also benefit you by helping you live longer by lessening your risk for diabetes and heart disease. In conclusion, it far outnumbers the challenges you'd face if you did not maintain a healthy weight.
If you need to lose weight because you are experiencing too much pain in your joints, talk to a doctor about starting a weight loss program that will best suit you. If you need help due to joint pain, call Ortho El Paso. We can help by properly diagnosing your orthopedic condition and provide a treatment program that will give you your best pain relief.
Visit us at www.orthoep.com. Or schedule an appointment by calling 915-249-4000.
