One in Six Australians Suffer from Arthritis and Osteoporosis

One in six Australians suffer from arthritis and osteoporosis, says Australian Institute of Health and Welfare.

The report, Arthritis and osteoporosis in Australia 2008, examines the 'big issues' in arthritis and osteoporosis - issues such as disability, falls and fractures, treatment and management.

What is arthritis?
The pain in the joints can be effectively eased through the practice of yoga, which gives flexibility to the joints and strength to the muscles of the body parts

Arthritis affects about 3.3 million Australians, including more than one-third of people aged 65 or over and more than half of those aged 85 years or over.

According to the report the most common form, osteoarthritis, affects over 1.3 million Australians or more than six per cent of the population - up to one in three people over the age of 85 - and is one of the top 10 problems managed by GPs.

Almost 2.7 million Medicare-paid GP consultations in 2007-08 included management of osteoarthritis.

Rheumatoid arthritis (which is almost twice as common in females as it is in males) affects almost 400,000 Australians.

Parental reports suggest that over 2,000 Australian children - mostly girls - have been diagnosed with juvenile arthritis. A similar number of parents report children with symptoms of arthritis but no formal diagnosis.

Use of medications such as analgesics, anti-inflammatory drugs and anti-rheumatic drugs is the most common management strategy for arthritis. In addition to GPs, allied health and complementary practitioners play an important role in improving and maintaining body structure and function.

Regular physical activity, a balanced diet, maintaining a healthy weight and avoiding repetitive joint-loading tasks (such as kneeling, squatting and heavy lifting) can help to prevent or delay the onset of osteoarthritis.

World Arthritis Day 2008 – ‘Think Positive’
World Arthritis Day celebrated worldwide on 12th October 2008, is a yearly campaign to increase public awareness about the condition as well as improve ways to smoothen life for victims.

Due to the mostly symptomless nature of osteoporosis, the almost 600,000 Australians (mostly women over the age of 55) who have been diagnosed with osteoporosis probably represent only a small portion of the actual number.

Osteoporosis is largely preventable. Key preventive actions include regular weight-bearing exercise, a balanced diet including calcium-rich foods, adequate vitamin D levels and maintaining a healthy weight. Childhood and adolescence is a key time for building healthy bones and ensuring high peak bone mass.

Source-Medindia
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