Osteoarthritis and obesity are two health conditions that often coexist and can have a significant impact on your well-being.
Do you struggle with frequent joint pain – especially in your lower back, hips, knees, feet and/or your ankles? If so, you may have osteoarthritis, a degenerative joint disease caused by a breakdown of cartilage, leading to pain, stiffness, and reduced mobility.
Osteoarthritis is the most common form of arthritis and is characterized by the degeneration of joint cartilage and the underlying bone, leading to pain, stiffness, and impaired mobility. Obesity, on the other hand, is a well-known risk factor many health problems, and its impact on joint health has been widely studied in recent year.
Osteoporosis and Obesity Correlation
Weight gain puts extra stress on your weight-bearing joints, especially your knees and hips. The excess weight can accelerate the wear and tear of your joint cartilage, leading to the development or progression of osteoarthritis.
The more weight a person carries, the higher the risk of developing osteoarthritis in these joints. The additional weight also makes it harder to exercise and maintain a healthy lifestyle. This, in turn, can lead to further weight gain and a worsening of osteoarthritis symptoms. Thus, creating a vicious cycle.
To make matters worse, obesity can also decrease the effectiveness of some medications used to treat osteoarthritis. In addition, surgeries like hip and knee replacements may carry higher risks or complications if your weight is too high.
Managing Osteoarthritis and Obesity
Given the interplay between these two diseases, it is very important to manage both at the same time. By addressing obesity through weight loss, adopting an exercise routine, and managing pain, you can significantly improve your quality of life and better manage your osteoarthritis. Working with your medical provider is important so you have personalized guidance and treatment options. If you suffer from obesity, Dr. Trupti Patel and her experienced team at Physicians Premiere Weight & Wellness Center can help. In fact, helping people lose weight and improving their health is their specialty. Please contact us for more information or to get started at https://healthymeweightloss.com/contact-us/
