22% to 39% of people in India suffer from arthritis, i.e., 1 out of 4 folks are going through joint pain, stiff knees, & poor mobility caused by the condition. The number is staggering. To make matters worse, there are so many misconceptions about arthritis - some spread out of fear, some out of concern, and some due to misleading information.
The end result? People quit doing so many things they love out of precaution and deprive themselves of good things.
But, it doesn’t have to be this way.
You deserve correct information, honest insights, and a realistic understanding of arthritis. Giving into common myths about arthritis will do more harm than good to your health. Knowing the facts about arthritis will illuminate your mind and allow you to make the right choices for effective pain management.
Let’s begin breaking down myths about arthritis that keep you away from reality!
Myth No. #1: Arthritis occurs only in older people. I am young, invincible, and have age by my side!
Fact: Arthritis is a condition that doesn’t discriminate based on age. You could be in your adolescent years, adults, elderly, or even a child - arthritis can get you. It is a misconception that arthritis only occurs in the elderly. Follow a healthy lifestyle and drink ample water daily to stay ahead of the condition.
Myth No. #2: There is a full-proof cure for arthritis
Fact: This might be a hard pill to swallow but there’s no 100%, complete cure for arthritis. Sure, many products and remedies can provide relief from joint pain up to an extent. For example, three60 pain relief & joint mobility reduces arthritis pain significantly and helps improve mobility. However, complete reversal of arthritis is not yet possible. In case you do experience complete relief, it is primarily because you were in the early stages of the condition. Thus, it is extremely important to get detected as early as possible with arthritis to ensure further progression is prevented.
Myth No. #3: If I exercise, my joint health will get worse
Fact: This is one of the most widespread and common myths about arthritis. Many low-intensity arthritis exercises help you experience relief from joint pain and other arthritis symptoms. However, high-intensity workouts must be avoided. You can also practice several yoga poses that assist you in getting effective relief.
Myth No. #4: All joint pain is due to arthritis
Fact: Many times, you might experience joint pain due to wear & tear, sudden injuries, or sprains. It is not necessary or an indication that you’ve arthritis. However, if you do not get proper treatment for the condition, the joint pain can increase due to wear & tear and lead to the onset of arthritis. So, get treated on time and keep your joints in good condition.
Myth No. #5: If I drink water standing up, I will get arthritis
Fact: Arthritis doesn’t occur just because of drinking water while you’re standing up. It is a myth spread on social media due to assumptions and lack of awareness. If only we all could avoid arthritis just by drinking water while sitting, life would be good. Arthritis occurs because of a complex set of environmental and biological factors, not only because of drinking water standing up.
Myth No. #6: Knuckle cracking can cause arthritis
Fact: There is no scientific evidence that cracking knuckles can cause arthritis. The sound of the ‘pop’ in the knuckles is due to the bursting of bubbles in the synovial fluid. It has no relation to arthritis. However, you should avoid cracking knuckles in general as it can lead to reduced grip strength and increased chances of injuries.
Myth No. #7: Wait to see if your joint pain goes away on its own, no need to consult a doctor for minor hiccups
Fact: Diagnosing arthritis and treating the condition at an early stage can save your joint health from deteriorating and stop the damage to vital organs. Certain forms of arthritis such as rheumatoid arthritis tend to damage eyes, skin, lungs, the brain, blood vessels, and the heart. Thus, you must be aware of which type of arthritis you have right away to get the correct treatment from the get-go.
These arthritis myths and facts will prevent you from falling prey to misconceptions and empower you to take correct, well-informed steps towards the condition. Moreover, having the know-how on the misconceptions about arthritis can help you educate others and spread awareness - fostering transparency and a sense of responsibility among all.
