Your own pest. What habits destroy our joints?

According to WHO, about 1.7 billion people on earth suffer from musculoskeletal diseases. And they are also considered the leading factor in disability. At the same time, people themselves often destroy their joints with daily actions and habits. Which ones, aif.ru told traumatologist-orthopedist of the Clinical and Diagnostic Center «Medincenter» Dmitry Rozhkov.

As the specialist notes, the knee, hip, ankle and wrist joints suffer more often than others. A person with problems with the joints feels pain, difficulty in movement, and the inability to move the limbs. And all this leads to a noticeable decrease in the quality of life.

What destroys joints?

The causes of joint diseases are diverse, notes Dmitry Rozhkov. Certain daily habits have a significant impact on bone deterioration both now and in the long term. Among them, the specialist lists the following items:

• Non-stop work with text (typing, sending SMS on the phone and other actions), forcing you to repeat the same movement over and over again, can harm both large joints (shoulders) and small ones (thumbs).
• Staying in the same position for a long time, which leads to muscle fatigue and tension in the joints and cartilage, since blood flow to these areas is reduced if you do not move. If you are standing, reading or working at a computer, it is recommended to change position every 10-15 minutes.
• Too much weight can change your posture and gait, put stress on your neck muscles and joints, and even put pressure on your shoulder joints, pinching nerves. The item you are carrying should not exceed 5% of your body weight.

“If any of your joints have been hurting for more than a week, don’t overdo the pain. Instead, you should seek qualified help from a doctor. Measures taken in time will help restore normal bone function and even prevent more serious problems in the future,” advises Dmitry Rozhkov.

In addition, the specialist recommends not to abuse physical exercises. “When you start a new exercise plan in the gym, you need to do it gradually and pay attention to how the joints (and the rest of the body too) feel. Painful symptoms lasting more than a few hours after a workout are a sign that you need to stop and give the body a break, ”the doctor recommends.

Negatively can affect the condition of the joints and insufficient sleep. To fix the problem, it is recommended to stop caffeine at least 6 hours before bedtime, reduce alcohol intake and exercise regularly. You also need to check the condition of the firmness of your mattress.

Smoking is also one of the causes of bone pain. “Nicotine constricts the tiny blood vessels that supply blood to the joints, especially the discs in the spine. People who smoke or chew tobacco are at greater risk of developing problems,” notes an orthopedic traumatologist.

Salt is also to be feared. It plays the role of a preservative and is very harmful to the joints. The use of salt in large quantities disrupts the water-salt balance in the body. In addition, many products contain monosodium glutamate, which improves the taste and aroma of canned meat, fish, dried spices, etc. The harm of such a substance lies in the fact that it can exacerbate joint pain and increase inflammation.

What to do?

If the joints are already sick, they need help so that the situation does not worsen and the destruction does not progress. “There are a number of orthopedic supportive devices – a brace, a cane, or an orthopedic insole in a shoe – that help keep your joints functioning and moving smoothly. The therapist will help you choose the right option and prescribe an effective rehabilitation. Physical treatments, along with a balanced fitness program, will also gradually help relieve pain, ”concludes Dmitry Rozhkov.