Know Why Women Face a Higher Risk of Developing Arthritis?
Women account for 60 percent of osteoarthritis cases globally.
Postmenopausal women exhibit the highest disease burden.
Knee joints are affected first, followed by the hip joint and hands.
The earlier symptoms are mild and infrequent, so easily ignored.
Recognizing early signs and timely intervention prevents disease advancement.
Identifying the systemic or immune-based inflammation helps mitigate disease progression.
Irreversible damage can be prevented by early medications.
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What are the reasons for developing arthritis in women?
Hormonal factors –
Estrogen secretion stops after menopause.
Estrogen protects joints and controls inflammation.
A rapid fall in estrogen levels loosens the ligaments in the knee.
Physical structure-
Women have wider hips compared to men.
The unequal pressure on the hips and knees increases the risk of hip damage.
Immune system differences
Women are at risk of autoimmune diseases.
The immune system is more reactive compared to men.
Females are 2-3 times more affected by immune system attacks.
Obesity
The increased weight leads to intense physical pressure on the knees/hip.
It causes systemic inflammation.
It damages the cartilage.
It also erodes the bones.
Pregnancy/childbirth
Pregnancy causes changes in posture/ gait.
Childbirth causes a release of relaxin hormone.
It widens the pelvis.
It affects the cartilage and the joints.
It also causes metabolic changes, causing joint inflammation.
Emotional psychological factors
Chronic stress releases stress hormones.
These alter the immune response.
Sleep disturbances impair tissue repair.
Genetics – People with a family history of arthritis are prone to developing joint inflammation/arthritis.
The symptoms of arthritis-
- Joint pain
- Swelling and stiffness
- Fluid accumulation in the joints
- Reduced motility
The early arthritis signs to be watched –
- Stiffening of the joints while sitting /resting.
- Losing grip in the hands.
- Locking of the joints.
- Joints unable to bear full pressure
- Morning tenderness across the ankles and feet
- Persistent pain across the groin area
- Friction in moving joints
The arthritis treatment is focused on –
- Reducing joint pain
- Managing stiffness /swelling
- Preventing disease progression
The commonly used medicines include-
Pain killers/ anti-inflammatory drugs.
- Analgesics help relieve mild –moderate pain.
- NSAIDs reduce inflammation and pain.
Disease-modifying anti-rheumatic drugs
These are the drugs that prevent progressive damage of the joints.
These drugs target the immune pathways and inhibit the immune attack on the joints.
Corticosteroids
These are the anti-inflammatory drugs.
They prevent sudden immune flare-ups.
It suppresses severe inflammation.
Viscosupplementation-
The hyaluronic acid injections are given in the joints.
It mimics the joint fluid properties.
It prevents joint damage.
How to prevent arthritis progression?
- Active lifestyle
- Managing weight
- Proper diet.
- Quitting smoke
- Timely medication /treatment
