Are you feeling this Fall like weather like I am? Deliciously cool, delightfully crisp and downright achy in my joints!
As I feel my age more and more and my joints get stiff and creaky and my hands feel achy on rainy days, I realize that it’s time to research aging symptoms the same way I looked up ways to handle new babies, how to deal with toddlers, what to do about middle school and now how to cope with teenager angst as a parent of two teen daughters.
Fortunately, the online world has created a plethora of resources for the aging 40-somethings like myself and this month, October 12, is World Arthritis Day.
One in every five adults has arthritis; that’s 50 million people in the US. 27 million Americans have osteoarthritis, the most common form of arthritis. There is no cure, but there are simple steps that can reduce pain, increase mobility and slow osteoarthritis progression.
World Arthritis Day is October 12, 2012. In partnership with the Ad Council, the Arthritis Foundation is trying to raise awareness about their Fight Arthritis Pain campaign. The Arthritis Foundation stresses the importance of “movement” for those already fighting arthritis as well as those who simply want to take preventative steps to reduce the impact on their joints.
I find that as I exercise off the 30 pounds I put on after turning 40 that I can’t go a day without exercise and not feel achy. I need to move my limbs, move my joints and break through the stiffness (without breaking anything!)which typically happens at the 12 minute mark on the elliptical. I love that I’ve rejoined the YMCA and started back on a healthy living routine. I would encourage any and everyone to get moving!
The Fight Arthritis Pain website encourages everyone to select and share their weapon against Arthritis pain. On weapons.fightarthritispain.org, you can see what weapons other users have suggested.
What’s your weapon against arthritis pain?
For more information, visit FightArthritisPain.org. If you aren’t sure if you’re at risk of developing Osteoarthritis (OA), you can take a free risk assessment here and then find tips on how to manage osteoarthritis pain or how to delay or even avoid the onset of OA symptoms at the Pain Tip App (tipshare.fightarthritispain.
About the Arthritis Foundation (www.arthritis.org):Striking one in every five adults and 300,000 children, arthritis is the nation’s leading cause of disability. TheArthritis Foundation (www.arthritis.org) is committed to raising awareness and reducing the unacceptable impact of this serious and painful disease, which can severely damage joints and rob people of living life to its fullest. The Foundation funds life-changing research that has restored mobility in patients for more than six decades; fights for health care policies that improve the lives of the millions who live with arthritis; and partners with families to provide empowering programs and information.
