7 Facts About Arthritis in Women That You Should Know
Did you know that arthritis affects women more often than men? There are many types of arthritis that are significantly more prevalent in women than men. After decades of being on the decline, the rate of rheumatoid arthritis is rising among women as well. Also some research has found that women tend to report more severe osteoarthritis pain than men. There are many reasons for this difference between men and women. So, if you are or someone you know is a woman over 55 then following are some facts about arthritis in women that you need to know.
FACT#1: Women get arthritis later in life than men. But when they do get it, they feel more pain. More men get arthritis before they reach the age of 55, but women are not far behind and overtake men in numbers. Also arthritis affected women always report higher pain scores than men.
FACT#2: In women, arthritis generally affects different joints than men. Men tend to get more arthritis in their hip joints while women in their hands and knees. Wondering why? Well, firstly women’s tendons are more mobile because, to accommodate childbirth, they are more elastic and also at risk of being injured. Also women have wider hips that affect the alignment of the knees in a way that makes them more at risk of having certain types of injuries, which leads to more arthritis eventually.
FACT#3: Hormones also affect the prevalence of arthritis. Estrogen is responsible for keeping inflammation in check, which is why younger women have less arthritis than men. After menopause, these estrogen levels plummet and this is when arthritis comes.
FACT#4: The more a person weighs, the more vulnerable they are to developing arthritis and the more seriously it affects them. Obesity is more common in women than men. This extra weight puts more pressure on the knee joints. This erodes cartilage and therefore raises the risk of arthritis. One kilo of body weight equals three additional kilos of pressure on each knee joint, for instance.
FACT#5: One word - genetics. Having a family history of arthritis increases the risk for both genders and, oddly, the connection is even stronger for women. If your mother has or had arthritis, it is likely that you might develop the problem at the same age and in the same joints.
FACT#6: Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is unlike osteoarthritis. This is because the inflammation is an autoimmune reaction and has no relation to wear and tear on the joints. Women are 3 times more likely to have RA than men. Also, women develop RA at a younger age and, as with osteoarthritis, their pain is worse.
FACT#7: According to experts, there are two main reasons for the gender differences in RA. First, women tend to get autoimmune diseases far more than men. This might be because the female immune system is stronger and more reactive. Second, since hormones affect RA risk and flares, pregnant women with RA experience fewer or no symptoms at all. But they do reappear after the baby is born.
If you are a woman who is suffering from joint pains, whether because of arthritis or otherwise, one of the best treatments for joint pains is massage. Massaging your joints regularly with a good massage oil can not only treat joint pains but also prevent the onset of arthritis. Sandhi Sudha is an effective natural oil that provides quick relief from joint pains, swelling and stiffness. It promotes lubrication between the joints by increasing the amount of synovial fluid to enhance joint flexibility. Apply in the morning and evening for best results.
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