Extensive awareness campaign is needed in India for bone and joint ailments. Aches and pains remind us that life is not always easy for women in India.
A micro study conducted in the Indian Himalayas found that on a one-hectare farm, a comparison revealed that: A pair of bullocks worked for 1,064 hrs/yr, a man worked for 1,212 hrs/yr and a woman worked for 3,485 hrs/yr.
This is the strength of Indian women! but there is other side of the story as well which public should know.
?TNS Arogya? conducted a study in India (2007) which shows that osteoarthritis is most common disease among the women. In addition, hypertension, migraine and hypothyroidism also bother more women than men and the incidence (Table I) of common diseases in women is far exceeding than men, with only exception being diabetes.
If one scrutinises the common ailments occurring in both sexes, spondylosis and adult asthma cuts across all age groups. Women also have a high incidence of slipped disk and rheumatoid arthritis.
Migraine seems to be almost exclusively a woman'sailment, with very low prevalence among men. In addition, hypothyroidism also seems to be exclusive female ailment.
In general, prevalence of various ailments was higher among women. But certain diseases like hepatitis-B, end-stage renal disease and oral cancer mostly affect males, with comparatively low incidence among women.
As a doctor, this a news to me that osteoarthritis is number one problem, far exceeding the incidence of hypertension, diabetes and asthma. Public awareness specially in women is very little about diseases and arthritis and osteoarthritis in particular.
Arthritis refers to a variety of joint problems that cause pain, swelling, and stiffness. Simply put, arthritis means inflammation of a joint. Arthritis can occur at any age, but it affects older people the most.
There are more than 100 different types of arthritis but three are common kinds of arthritis. Osteoarthritis is the most common type. Shockingly, TNS arogya found that women are the worst sufferer between the age group from 25-35 years. Osteoarthritis figures as the second most prevalent disease after diabetes. Usually after diagnosis, people take home treatment and pain killers and now surgery like knee replacement is first improving quality of life of people.
Rheumatoid arthritis and gout once diagnosed, will improve with a combination of self care and professional care. Little known about what cause most types of arthritis. Some seem to run in families; others seem to be related to imbalances in body chemistry or immune system problems. Many arthritis problems are the result of injury or long-term ?wear and tear? on the joints.
Prevention
It may not be possible to prevent arthritis, but you can prevent a lot of pain by being kind to your joints. Don'tneglect symptoms. See the doctor. Get the diagnosis and follow treatment. This is especially important if you already have arthritis. Younger population in India should be on guard.
If activities that jar your body cause pain (such as running), try these activities that involve less impact (such as swimming).
* Control your weight
* Exercise regularly
While activities that repeatedly jar your body can increase joint pain, regular exercise can relieve or prevent joint pain. Exercise is needed to nourish joint cartilage and remove waste products from the joints. It strengthens the muscles around the joints, providing support for the joint and reducing injuries caused by fatigue. Stretching maintains your range of pain-free motion.
When to call a health professional
If you have fever or a skin rash along with severe joint pain, if the joint is so painful that you cannot use it.
If there is sudden, unexplained swelling, redness, or pain in any joint.
If there is severe pain and swelling in multiple joints.
If you experience sudden back pain that occurs with weakness in the leg or loss of bowel or bladder control.
If joint pain continues for more than 6 weeks and home treatment is not helping.
If you experience side effects (stomach pain, nausea, persistent heartburn, or dark, tarry stools) from aspirin or other arthritis medications. Do not exceed recommended doses of nonprescription medications without your doctor? advice.
Home treatment for osteoarthritis
A warm shower or bath may help relive morning stiffness. Try to avoid sitting still after a warm shower or bath.
If the joint is not swollen, apply moist heat for 20 to 30 minutes, 2 to 3 times a day. Do not apply heat to a swollen, inflamed joint.
Put each of your joints gently through its full range of motion one to two times each day.
Rest sore joints. Avoid activities that put weight or strain on the joints for a few days. Take short rest breaks from your regular activities through out the day.
Apply cold packs to inflamed, swollen joints for 10 to 15 minutes, once an hour. Cold will help relieve pain and reduce inflammation.
Regular exercise is important to help maintain strength and flexibility in the muscles and joints. Strengthening exercise prevent the muscle loss that leads to weakness. Try low-impact activities, such as swimming, water aerobics, biking, or walking.
Acetaminophen can provide safe pain relief for osteoarthritis. Anti-inflammatory medications, such as aspirin or ibuprofen, may help ease pain but can cause stomach upset. Do not combine anti-inflammatory medications. Self medication is bad as no medication can be said to be harmless
(The author is secretary general of Delhi Gynaecologist Forum.)
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