Arthritis in young people – a growing problem

From practicebusiness.co.uk

Arthritis is a condition that’s more commonly associated with older people, but NHS England figures show that about 15,000 children and young people in the UK have developed some form of the condition. The pain and discomfort of arthritis can have a negative impact on young people but, with a correct diagnosis and support, they can enjoy full lives.

One in six people in the UK experiences some form of inflammation and pain in a joint. The most common forms, osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis, are closely related to age, appearing most commonly in those aged over 40. In younger people, the most prevalent form is known as juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA). The condition causes pain and inflammation in one or more joints for at least six weeks, but can last for years.

In younger people, the most prevalent form is known as juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA).

Harriet’s story

Diagnosing arthritis in young people can be a challenge, as Emily Hearle found when seeking to understand why her two-year old daughter was experiencing pain and discomfort. She shared her story in the Metro newspaper.

“Harriet was just two when she was diagnosed with JIA. It was a battle to even get the diagnosis – we were told arthritis was so far down the list of possibilities for her symptoms that we shouldn’t give it another thought. Treatments helped at first, but a few months later Harriet’s condition flared up aggressively and we struggled to control it. She cried in pain at pre-school, she couldn’t take part in activities that other children could and saw so many different doctors that she became distrusting of leaving the house.

“At its worst, I remember asking Harriet’s physiotherapist if there was anything I could do myself to help improve her mobility. The answer involved numbing her foot in iced water and then manipulating it to get the joints moving again – not easy for a three-year-old in excruciating pain.

“At this time, I also had a new-born and it was hard balancing everyone’s needs. I realised it was up to us to fight this condition. Since then, I’ve become an advocate for living a positive life with JIA and I want to support other parents in similar situations. The severe lack of recognition and awareness of arthritis, especially in younger people and children, means that many families struggle to get a diagnosis and are not aware of the support that is available to them.”

Thankfully, Emily is now a happy and active young girl who is living life to the full. “I like to tell people that there is hope – with timely diagnosis and treatment it’s possible to live a full and active life with JIA,” Emily adds.

Road to recovery

Treatment of children with JIA involves medication, physiotherapy, occupational therapy, podiatry and psychological support, says the Children’s Chronic Arthritis Association (CCAA).  As a condition with no known cure, treatments aim to reduce pain and disease activity, maintain joint movement and improve muscle strength. Ultimately, the aim is to ensure freedom of movement for the child.

In many cases the symptoms of JIA will improve as children get older, enabling them to live full and active lives. The condition can have an impact on parents, many of whom will never have considered that their child could develop a condition like arthritis. To help parents with children who have arthritis, Emily created JIA Matters, an online support group and network for parents with children who have arthritis. The website, and an associated Facebook group, include details of local families and groups who have children with arthritis.

Useful resources:

• You can find information on support around JIA in young people at the Versus Arthritis.
• You can find information on living with JIA at the CCAA website.
• Visit the JIA Matters website for details of local support groups and parents with children who have JIA.

https://practicebusiness.co.uk/arthritis-in-young-people-a-growing-problem/

Dr Miriam Stoppard: A little bit of daily exercise will keep the aches and pains at bay

From mirror.co.uk/lifestyle

A new study suggests that a brisk ten minute walk every day will give you the best chance of avoiding arthritis in later life

Well now, just how little exercise do you think you need to do? Not very much, it would seem.
Less than 10 minutes of brisk walking a day could counteract disability in older people leading to safer walking and less difficulty with daily activities such as bathing and dressing.
A new study shows just a little bit of fast-paced activity each day for those with osteoarthritis (OA) can keep them fit enough to cross the street safely.
The study looked at more than 1,500 adults from the National Osteoarthritis Initiative between 2008 and 2014.
OA occurs when the cartilage, which cushions the ends of the bones, becomes worn out. More than 8.75 million Brits suffer from it, mostly over 65, and it’s a top cause of disability in senior citizens.

Gardening or a brisk walk will help you keep fit (stock picture) (Image: Getty Images/Cultura RF)

Around two in five people with OA will become disabled due to arthritis of the hips, knees, ankles and feet.

It turns out, however, that it’s easier for older adults to perform daily tasks with less than 10 minutes a day of moderate to vigorous activity – only about an hour in total each week.
Participants who did get in an hour had an 85% reduced risk of walking too slowly to cross a street safely and around 45% reduced risk of having difficulty bathing or dressing.
“We were very excited to see that the amount of activity that ­distinguished people who stayed ­independent from those who didn’t was substantially less than the standard recommendation [150 minutes per week by the NHS],” said Professor Dunlop at Northwestern University, US.

                                   Walking can help avoid arthritis (stock photo) (Image: Getty)
The team followed up the participants four years later and found that nearly a quarter of adults who weren’t performing the weekly hour of exercise were walking too slowly to cross the street safely.
Additionally, more than 20% said they were having difficulty carrying out their morning routines.
“This is less than 10 minutes of moderate activity a day,” said Prof Dunlop.
“We want people to do as much as they can but, if they’re ­hesitant, I want to see that they can partake in a little activity and ­experience benefits.

“Moderate activity is beneficial to maintain independence and support your health. More broadly, physical activity is a win-win strategy.
"It costs little, improves health and is enjoyable.”
The most important takeaway message is that it requires so little time and effort to maintain a basic level of fitness which can then ensure a more active daily life.

https://www.mirror.co.uk/lifestyle/health/dr-miriam-stoppard-little-bit-16205012

The Most Common Types of Arthritis, and Who’s at Risk for Each

From news.yahoo.com

If you’ve been feeling extra stiff lately, you may wonder if you have arthritis—a condition in which one or more of your joints is inflamed. About 54 million Americans experience some type of arthritis, but there are actually more than 100 joint-related conditions that may fall under this general umbrella.

While some types of arthritis can be genetic, other risk factors for developing arthritis include age, gender (women are more likely to have certain types of arthritis, while men are more likely to have others), a previous joint injury, and obesity. Here are the three most common forms of arthritis, how to tell the difference, and the ways health-care providers will treat it.

Osteoarthritis

Also known as "wear and tear" arthritis, osteoarthritis the most common form of arthritis. It causes cartilage—the tissue that covers the ends of bones where they form a joint—to break down to the point at which bone grinds against bone, leading to pain and stiffness. Osteoarthritis generally appears in the knees, hips, feet and spine, and can either evolve over many years or be prompted by an injury or infection.

People who have osteoarthritis experience pain, decreased range of motion, aches, pain when walking, and a feeling of stiffness that sets in after you’ve rested. Sometimes, joints like the knees even emit creaky sounds when bent.

With this form of arthritis, symptoms typically come and go. “Osteoarthritis joint pain is worse in the morning, and improves with activity as the day goes on,” says Stella Bard, MD, a rheumatologist in New York City.

If you have osteoarthritis, your healthcare provider will want you to manage your weight and stay active, which can help support and maintain the structures around the joint, says Lisa Gale Suter, MD, an associate professor of medicine specializing in rheumatology at Yale School of Medicine in New Haven, Connecticut. Physical therapy can also be helpful in teaching exercises that will help keep the muscle around that arthritic joint strong.

“If it’s your knee that’s painful, for example, you will want to be sure your quad and hamstring muscles are healthy and strong,” says Dr. Suter, “and that you have flexibility in those muscles so that the tendons and ligaments can work.” In addition, patients often take anti-inflammatory medications (such as over-the-counter pain relievers) to ease symptoms.

Rheumatoid arthritis

This common forms of arthritis is actually an autoimmune disorder. That means that the body’s immune system is targeting the lining of the joints—which, in turn, prompts inflammation in the part of the joint that protects and lubricates. Once it becomes inflamed, pain and swelling occur.

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) causes joint pain and swelling, especially in the knuckles, heels, or elbows. It also causes skin lumps, known as rheumatoid nodules, and stiffness that can last for hours or days.

After a diagnosis of RA, people may be prescribed oral medications or injections to manage their symptoms. These drugs can include corticosteroids (such as prednisone), DMARDs (an acronym for disease-modifying anti rheumatic drugs), and biologic injections to control the inflammation.

“We recommend powerful anti-inflammatories that work to change the inflammation pathways,” Dr. Suter says. But she adds one caution: “These medications carry a risk of lowering your immunity, so patients have to be particularly vigilant about infections and may need to stop medications if they become ill.”

Psoriatic arthritis

While the cause of psoriatic arthritis is not entirely clear, experts do know that it’s also an autoimmune disease that manifests in similar ways to rheumatic arthritis. The main difference is that when you have psoriatic arthritis, the skin can be involved, as well.

Between 5% and 20% of psoriasis patients will also have psoriatic arthritis. “Some patients can have it with a lot of skin disease, where the body is very covered in rashes, while others have more joint symptoms and no active skin disease,” Dr. Suter says.

Symptoms of psoriatic arthritis include pain, swelling, redness in the joints (especially in the hands), nail changes, fatigue, eye problems, skin rashes, and swelling and tenderness in fingers and feet.

To control inflammation, psoriatic arthritis patients will take similar medications as those who have RA. These include NSAIDs, DMARDs, biologics, as well as new oral treatments.

Other forms of arthritis

While osteoarthritis, RA, and psoriatic arthritis tend to be the most common forms of arthritis, there’s a long list of other types of arthritis. These include bursitis, carpal tunnel syndrome, gout, Raynaud’s phenomenon, and ankylosing spondylitis, according to the Arthritis Foundation. Other conditions—such as Lyme disease, lupus, fibromyalgia, and inflammatory bowel disease—can also include arthritis as one component of a more complex illness.

Arthritis usually occurs in adults, and advanced age is a risk factor for many different types. But children can also get a rare type of arthritis known as childhood or juvenile arthritis.

Because inflammation of the joints can be caused by so many different conditions, it’s important to see a doctor if you’re experiencing pain and stiffness. A primary-care physician is a good first step, or you may be referred to a rheumatologist who can help diagnose and treat your specific joint problems.

https://news.yahoo.com/most-common-types-arthritis-risk-160400801.html

8 Ways to Make Life With Arthritis Easier

From newsmax.com/health

                                                                      (Marco Ugarte/AP)

A staggering 54.5 million Americans suffer from some type of arthritis which, as it progresses, can make everyday tasks challenging.

"When you have arthritis, interacting with objects in your home, garden, and office can be frustrating and painful," Lene Andersen MSW, who suffers from rheumatoid arthritis, tells Newsmax. The Toronto-based patient expert offers these tips on how to handle daily tasks with a little help from handy, helpful products.

Jar openers. "When you can't open that jar of jam, baby food or pickles for lunch, it's enough to make you cry," says Andersen. A low-tech piece solution is to use a piece of rubber to grip the lid, or you can buy an adaptable jar opener.

Replace doorknobs with lever handles.

Reachers. These handy devices use tongs to help you with everything from manoeuvring stubborn buttons to picking up items from the floor or overhead. Often called "reacher grabbers," they are indispensable for those with arthritis or other disabilities. They are available at Amazon and other retail outlets including medical supply and drugstores.

Voice recognition software. "If you have trouble typing, voice recognition software can help you at home and at the office," says the expert. Using this software and a microphone, all you have to do is say your commands and the computer obeys. An example is Dragon Speech Recognition.

Pen grips. Writing can be painful when you aggravate the small joints of your hand. Placing your pen or pencil inside a cushion or pen grip reduces the strain on your hand. These products can be found online or in office supply stores.

E-books and audiobooks. While books can be a wonderful escape, if your hands, shoulders, and neck hurt when you hold them, what you love can cause pain says Andersen. E-book readers and tablets can make life much easier.

Occupation therapy. The American Occupational Therapy Association website has a number of resources and tip sheets to download about how occupational therapy can help you identify which tools may improve function.

Talk to others. "One of your best resources for tips on how to make life easier is to talk with other people in the same situation," says Andersen. "For example, one of my friends suggested washing the bathtub with a mop, saving me from having to kneel, bend over and reach."

https://www.newsmax.com/health/health-news/aging-homemaking-prescription-joint/2019/05/20/id/916870/

How Exercise Can Lower a Woman’s Risk for Rheumatoid Arthritis

From healthline.com/health-news

Researchers say regular exercise can lower a woman’s risk for RA and benefit women who have the painful condition.

Exercise can often be a double-edged sword for people living with rheumatoid arthritis (RA).
On one hand, a certain degree of physical activity is encouraged for people dealing with the sometimes debilitating condition.
On the other hand, many people with RA feel that most types of workouts are too difficult or painful given their symptoms.
“I know I feel better if I exercise,” Laura Davidson, a Michigan resident with RA, told Healthline. “But at the same time I know it could also make me more sore. I feel like I’d be healthier if I moved more and maybe eventually have less pain. But the fear of hurting myself or causing a flare-up holds me back.”

Davidson isn’t alone in this sentiment.

However, a new study does show that exercise can benefit women who have RA. Perhaps as important, researchers say exercise can be a preventive measure against the disease.
The study, which was published in the medical journal Arthritis & Rheumatology, concluded that women with a higher level of physical activity may have a reduced risk for eventually developing RA.
This was determined by first looking at their baseline level of physical activity in the two to eight years leading up to their RA diagnosis.

The participants of the study were part of the Nurse’s Health Study II. The study was conducted from 1989 through 2015. It included information on 116,430 registered nurses in the United States. These nurses were 25 to 42 years old at the time of the study.
The researchers analysed the data of 113,366 of the women after excluding those who had baseline RA or any other connective tissue diseases.
The researchers discovered there were 506 cases of RA during the follow-up period. After adjusting for diet, smoking, and BMI at age 18 years, they found that an increase in the average total hours of physical activity per week was associated with a lower risk of developing RA.

The conclusion of the study showed the effects of physical activity on RA and the general importance of some daily physical activity for everyone. More active individuals had a 20 percent lower risk for seropositive RA and a 14 percent reduced risk for all forms of RA.
Researchers indicated that higher levels of physical activity and reduced excess weight were associated with reduced risk of RA. They also found that sitting for longer periods of time could be detrimental for RA symptoms.

Rheumatoid arthritis and exercise

Although this study focused on women, this isn’t the first time a positive correlation between exercise and RA has been discussed.
Earlier this year, a study was published on the benefits of yoga for arthritis. The Arthritis Foundation has also shared information from multiple studies showing that HIIT (high-intensity interval training) can be beneficial for people living with RA.

However, Kindle Fisher, a certified American College of Sports Medicine health and fitness specialist who’s worked rehabbing patients through physical therapy, massage therapy, and personal training, explained that not all workouts have to be intense if you have RA.
“Many individuals who suffer from RA worry that exercise will cause more joint damage and pain. But exercise can help lubricate the joints and strengthen the muscles surrounding the affected joints. In a flare, gentle light exercise, such as walking, swimming, or cycling, would be the most beneficial,” she told Healthline.

Fisher adds there are multiple benefits to exercise for people living with a chronic illness or chronic pain condition.
“Exercise can also boost your mood and mental health. This becomes important to anyone suffering from RA. It can become frustrating that some days are unbearable while others are tolerable. Increased blood flow promotes healing, so the more you move, the better you feel,” she said.
“My body feels pretty good — knock on wood — most of the time, so I may not be the same as a lot of people with RA,” Jess Z., a Pennsylvania resident, told Healthline. “But I do feel healthier and stronger in general when I routinely work out. When I do feel sluggish or have RA issues, I don’t have the push or desire to exercise. But I don’t think it makes my RA worse by working out. I’ve never really worked out and hurt the next day from it.
“When I’m actively exercising, I do it for 30 minutes to an hour. I do wonder, even though I feel fine from working out, if it is doing some minor damage to the joints/bones that I just don’t know, since I do still have RA,” she said.

https://www.healthline.com/health-news/exercise-can-help-women-with-rheumatoid-arthritis#Rheumatoid-arthritis-and-exercise

Signs of Rheumatoid Arthritis Can Show Up Long Before Diagnosis

From usnews.com/news/health-news

FRIDAY, May 10, 2019 (HealthDay News) -- Difficulties with daily activities such as dressing, walking and eating can be seen in rheumatoid arthritis patients a year or two before they're diagnosed, a new study shows.

"This is a new finding, and a finding that is quite intriguing," said lead author Dr. Elena Myasoedova, a rheumatologist at the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minn.

"It may reflect an accumulation of symptoms between the time of first onset and the time required for providers to actually diagnose patients," she said in a Mayo news release.

The study also found that chronic increased levels of difficulty with daily activities (functional disability) continued even after patients were diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis and began treatment.

That may be due to a number of factors, including increasing physical and mental pain, use of treatments such as glucocorticoids and antidepressants, and anticipation of relief from symptoms, she added.

For the study, the researchers looked at 586 rheumatoid arthritis patients and 531 people without the disease in the Rochester Epidemiology Project database of medical records.

The rate of functional disability was more than two times higher among rheumatoid arthritis patients than in those without rheumatoid arthritis. In most age groups, rheumatoid arthritis patients had a 15% or higher rate of functional disability than those without the disease.

The findings show the importance of early treatment for rheumatoid arthritis patients, according to Myasoedova.

"Alerting your health care provider to difficulties in daily living can assure that patients receive the help they need," she said.

About 1.5 million Americans have been diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis, an autoimmune disease that most often affects the joints but can also impact other parts of the body. Rheumatoid arthritis is one of the most common chronic conditions associated with functional disability in the United States, and has a significant impact on well-being and quality of life.

Symptoms can include joint pain or swelling, but 40% of patients have symptoms that don't involve the joints, such as fatigue, fever and loss of appetite.

The study will be published in June in the journal Mayo Clinic Proceedings.

https://www.usnews.com/news/health-news/articles/2019-05-10/signs-of-rheumatoid-arthritis-can-show-up-long-before-diagnosis

Could Your Knee Pain Be Arthritis? 3 Questions to Ask

From parade.com

In honour of Arthritis Awareness Month, we asked Dominic King, DO, sports medicine and interventional orthopaedic physician at the Cleveland Clinic; and Julius Oni, MD, an assistant professor of orthopaedic surgery at Johns Hopkins School of Medicine for their insights on common aches and pains.

                                                                         (iStock)

Think your knee pain could be arthritis? Your orthopaedist may ask the following questions to get to the root of your pain, King says:

Did you feel a “pop” in your knee?
That sound is common in twisting injuries, and could signal a torn meniscus (tough, shock-absorbing cartilage inside your knee) or a torn ligament.

Did the pain come on gradually?
Cartilage breakdown – namely osteoarthritis (OA) – could be to blame.

Does it hurt when you press on it?
Tendon injuries hurt to the touch at the top of the kneecap and the bottom of the kneecap.
No matter the cause, treatment usually involves anti-inflammatory meds, bracing, physical therapy, injections, surgery or some combination thereof.

What causes low-back pain?
If your back hurts when you press on it, think muscle strain. If the pain is deeper, intermittent, and came on slowly, you may have arthritis.

Other culprits:
•A herniated disc, sometimes marked by leg numbness and tingling, means one of the gel-filled cushions between your vertebrae ruptured.
•Spinal stenosis, a narrowing of the spinal column, can cause achy cramps when you walk.
•If the pain is very low in your back—more like upper buttock pain—chances are your sacroiliac joint is to blame.
“The first thing that knocks out a good amount of back pain: stretching and physical therapy,” King says.

When is hip pain serious?
Pain on the outside of your hip is usually related to tendon, ligament or muscle injuries. But groin or inner hip pain usually suggests OA, which is progressive. Your doctor may recommend a range of non-surgical options: weight loss, aquatic exercise or physical therapy, anti-inflammatories, or steroid injections.
How will you know if it’s time for hip replacement surgery? Oni tells his patients: “When you start having more bad days than good.”

https://parade.com/879457/hopecristol/arthritis-knee-pain/

Alternative Therapies for Arthritis

From docwirenews.com

When it comes to treating various types of arthritis, studies generally focus on medications—comparing one to another, one to placebo, or monotherapies versus combination treatment regimens. But what about options past the pill bottle or injection?

Evidence on alternative therapies is not as robust as data on traditional treatment, but as these practices increase in popularity, more patients are questioning how they may benefit from these therapies. Here, DocWire highlights two popular options: yoga and tai chi.

Yoga

Yoga comes in a variety of forms—some more physically challenging than others—but the central theme is on finding a connection between your body and your breath. Yoga has grown significantly more popular in the United States in recent years. In 2012, 20.4 million Americans reported practicing yoga, compared to 15.8 million in 2008, according to data collected by Sports Marketing Surveys USA on behalf of Yoga Journal. And among those who do not have a current yoga practice, 44.4% said they are interested in trying. But is yoga for everyone—particularly, those with arthritis?

Contrary to popular belief, arthritis patients shouldn’t avoid yoga; in fact, it could very well be of great benefit. One study of sedentary rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients found an association between yoga and improvements in physical component summary, flexibility, 6-minute walk test (6MWT), and certain psychological and health-related quality of life outcomes. These benefits were observed over an eight-week period, and most outcomes still persisted after nine months.
In another trial, RA patients were stratified into two groups: a combination therapy of disease modifying anti-rheumatic drugs (DMARDs) and yoga, or DMARDs alone. After eight weeks, the yoga group presented significantly reduced levels of several systemic inflammatory markers; disease activity score 28, erythrocyte sedimentation rate and health assessment questionnaire disability index also showed significant improvement compared to the DMARDs group.

In addition to the physical benefits, the yoga group showed reduced depressive symptoms. Other research has also found that practicing yoga could help arthritis patients improve their relationship with their pain.

Tai Chi

Tai chi has its roots in ancient China, but like yoga has become more common in the U.S. and also focuses on a mind-body connection. A new study examined outcomes for osteoarthritis (OA) patients who underwent total knee arthroplasty (TKA). Patients who practiced tai chi for 12 weeks had better scores in the Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis Index (WOMAC) physical function score, 6MWT, and Short Form (36) Health Survey for the physical and mental components.

One study observed the effects of tai chi in older patients with knee OA. For eight weeks, researchers measured area and mean velocity of centre of pressure movements (CoP) on patients before and after 60 minutes of tai chi. Tai chi was associated with a significant decrease in the area of CoP in standing position, as well as the mean velocity of CoP. The researchers therefore suggested, “it might be concluded that motor control and postural stability improvements have occurred.”
A literature review evaluated existing data regarding tai chi’s impact on numerous conditions and found “excellent evidence” that tai chi could benefit fall prevention and OA, as well as “fair evidence” supporting a positive association between tai chi and osteoporosis.

Bottom Line: Jury Is Still Out

Many of the studies on alternative therapy options had a similar message: there is not enough existing literature to make a conclusive statement on alternative therapies for rheumatic diseases. Large, long-term, randomized clinical trials must be conducted to fully understand if—and how—options beyond the pharmacy counter can benefit patients.
Still, activities like yoga and tai chi—when performed safely—could have benefits beyond possible disease treatment. These are often group classes that give patients a chance to socialize and interact with others. Physical activity is also associated with improved mood, which could perhaps help patients cope with the symptoms of their disease.

https://www.docwirenews.com/docwire-pick/rheumatology-picks/pharmacy-alternative-therapies-arthritis/

How Prolonged Sitting Can Affect Us and What to Do About It

By James Schofield

Text neck. Poor circulation. Fatigue. Arthritis. Depression and moodiness. Headaches. Tension across the tops of the shoulders. What do all these have in common? During my 33 years in chiropractic practice, they are all conditions and symptoms that patients tell me they have acquired from long periods of required sitting at jobs, school, and hobbies. There is a whole science called ergonomics which has evolved and addresses the problems and concerns that arise from the increased amount of sitting that we are exposed to. This article will discuss how prolonged sitting affects us and what we can do to mitigate the deleterious effects we suffer when we sit too long.

Historically, human beings have not had the opportunity or ability to sit around much. Until around 5000 years ago most human populations were nomadic. They walked to productive hunting areas to obtain food. Or they walked to productive grazing areas necessary for the cattle they raised. They didn't get much of a chance to sit in one place for very long.

About 5000 years ago human beings acquired the technology of farming. The Egyptians are credited with the first large-scale farming operations. While this did not require a nomadic lifestyle it also did not allow these folks to become couch potatoes. Anyone involved with farming knows it involves a lot of manual labour. Even during the more recent industrial age our predecessors were involved in very physical manual jobs.

So, when we think about it, mankind has only started sitting for long periods in the last 50 to 75 years. Before that, through all of human history, we were creatures of movement. Our bodies are evolved to walk extensively, stand fully erect, exercise large muscle groups by having to carry and lift objects necessary for our survival.

However, now with preschool, elementary school, high school, college and sedentary occupations, to say nothing of our use of computer and handheld technology devices, many of us sit more than proceeding generations could ever imagine.

It's no wonder that we suffer from maladies listed earlier in this article. Our great grandparents and great, great grandparents would probably be amazed that we go to health clubs and exercise classes in order to exert ourselves and work our muscles. Most likely they only wanted to come home from work and rest.

Yet, it looks like we are going to be creatures of a sedentary lifestyle for many generations to come. So, it will be necessary for us to take measures to counteract harmful physical effects of our relatively inactive style of living.

One area to be aware of is the ergonomic condition of our environment at work and home. It is important to have a proper chair, desk, and computer station. There is no silver bullet or one-size-fits-all recommendation for an ergonomically perfect situation. We are all different sizes and shapes. There are many different types of chairs we can use. Trial and error may be the best we can hope for in finding a good chair. Additionally, don't ignore seat cushions and padding which can make a mediocre chair into one that is ergonomically sound. Likewise, our desks and computer stations can almost certainly be improved by a little attention. Anything we can do to sit erectly, have our wrists and hands in a comfortable neutral position, have our lower backs supported in a stress-free posture and have our legs and feet in a properly supported way should be pursued.

It is certainly recommended that we also consider a workstation that allows us to stand. A quick Internet search for a variable or upright desk will yield many choices for this technology. Most of these are inexpensive and easy to install. In my practice I have suggested this for many of my patients in recent years. Those who have been able to follow my advice have been very positive and pleasantly satisfied with the improvements ergonomically achieved.

Of course, the old standby of getting up and taking a walk is probably the best antidote to prolong sitting. Whether it's a walk to the water cooler or a stroll at lunch time or a relaxed brisk walk after work, nothing beats walking to counteract harmful effects of a long day of sitting.

Take time to evaluate and assess your workstation and determine how you can physically, initiate appropriate movement and exercise into your everyday lifestyle. In the short and long-term these measures can make a huge difference in our health and mental behaviour.

https://ezinearticles.com/?How-Prolonged-Sitting-Can-Affect-Us-and-What-to-Do-About-It&id=10113237