World Arthritis Day 12 October 2022 – Theme, Importance and History
World Arthritis day is a global health awareness event organized every year on 12 October to create awareness about the rheumatic and musculoskeletal diseases, its impact on one’s life and educating people the symptoms & preventive measures and guiding for the early diagnosis to cope up any further complications. The day focuses on bringing people around the world on a single platform to raise voice to create enough opportunity to support and provide better treatment options to the people affected with rheumatic and musculoskeletal diseases (RMDs).
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Importance of World Arthritis Day (WAD)
Arthritis is an inflammatory joint disorder, which affects the joints tissues around the joint, and other connective tissues, causing joint pain and stiffness. More than 100 types of arthritis exists, but most common are osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis. Due to the lack of awareness and support, arthritis and its related condition has crippled much life around the world.
There is no specific treatment for the arthritis, treatment option varies based on the types, so it is imperative to understand the sign & symptoms and get early diagnosis to avail appropriate treatment. World Arthritis day (WAD), plays crucial role in encouraging people, concern medical fraternity and government across the world to participate in the awareness campaign to create better opportunity for the affected one.
World Arthritis Day 2022 Theme
This year 2022, the World Arthritis Day Theme is “It’s in your hands, take action“, addressing the world population to join hands for this cause to make this event fruitful for those deprived of the support.
The theme “It’s in your hands, take action” aims to encourage people with arthritis, their caregivers, families, and the general public to avail every opportunity to take action to improve their lifestyle.
World Arthritis Day History
World arthritis day (WAD) was established by Arthritis and Rheumatism International (ARI) and the first event was observed on 12 October 1996. Since then many global communities like Arthritis Foundation has joined the cause to raise awareness to fight the awareness gap, provide support and access to the communities, advocating for strong policies and supporting the research work.
People living with Rheumatic and Musculoskeletal Diseases
Too many remain undiagnosed in the EU alone with an RMD. With an estimated one-hundred million currently undiagnosed and trying to cope with symptoms that are often overlooked – and frequently misdiagnosed. A large part of the world’s population is affected by diseases that impact their quality of life and participation in society – including access to the world of work. An inability to work reduces the self-esteem of the individual – and increases their dependency on state welfare, the healthcare system and their family and friends. People living with an RMD are therefore left unaware of their symptoms, opportunities for diagnosis and treatment, as well as the way to develop and execute a career plan to achieve independence.
Symptoms of Arthritis
- Joint pain.
- Stiffness and swelling in joints.
- Your range of motion may also decrease.
- Redness of the skin around the joint.
- Unexplained joint pain usually accompanied by fever.
- Difficulty in carrying out daily chores due to joint pain.
- Pain killers also cannot cure joint pains.
Self-care tips to manage Joint Pain due to arthritis
- Include a well-balanced diet with plenty of anti-inflammatory food such as green leafy vegetables, berries, ginger, nuts, legumes, and fibre.
- Prioritize vitamin D and Calcium intake.
- Maintain Your Ideal Weight as carrying excess body weight adds stress to our joints, especially the weight-bearing joints.
- Practice regular physical activity followed by Low-Impact Exercises, which would put less stress on joints. Some of the Low-Impact Exercises that can be practice on daily basis are swimming, walking and cycling.
- Engage in yoga and meditation to help your muscles relax.
- Stop Smoking.
