When it comes to arthritis, managing a healthy weight is one of the most important things you can do. Excess weight puts added stress on joints, causing pain and worsening cartilage damage. Even being 10 pounds overweight increases force on your knees by 30-40 pounds with each step. No wonder obesity increases the risk of developing arthritis.
Weight Gain and Arthritis
Obesity and Osteoarthritis
There is a clear connection between osteoarthritis (OA) and obesity. The more you weigh, the higher the risk of developing OA in certain joints.
OA occurs when the cartilage that cushions and protects the ends of bones in your joints wear down over time. The added weight puts strain and pressure on weight-bearing joints, especially in the knees and hips. Studies show that people who are obese are nearly four or five times more likely to have knee osteoarthritis
How Obesity Negatively Affects Arthritis Management
Added fat increases inflammation. When you have arthritis, cytokine levels are already high, this can lead to worsening of symptoms, less physical function, and even a lower quality of life.
Excessive weight gain can impact the effectiveness of arthritis medication. Some DMARDs (disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs) have been shown to be less effective in patients who are overweight. The good news is that losing weight can help restore the function of those medications.
Reasons to Lose Weight if You Suffer from Arthritis
Reduced Pain
Less body weight often equals less pain. Through a combination of diet and exercise, weight loss can reduce pain caused by OA. Even dropping 10% of your body weight makes a huge difference in reducing pain and improving function.
Increased Range of Motion
Weight loss improves joint mobility, especially when diet and exercise are combined. Reducing caloric and fat intake should be the goal for losing weight if you have arthritis. This reduces the pressures inside knee joint that helps increase range of motion.
Better Overall Health
An improved quality of life is achievable through a strict program of diet and exercise. Arthritis pain can affect other aspects of your health if it’s not managed properly, which negatively impacts your lifestyle. A combination of aerobics and weight training, according to your doctor’s recommendations, contributes to better overall physician and mental health when living with a chronic pain disorder like arthritis.
Contact ArthritisVIP.com to see how our holistic approach helps you have less pain and improve your quality of life.
