A doctor has given tips on keeping your joints healthy

According to the World Health Organization, 18 million people worldwide suffer from excruciating joint pain. For many people, it restricts their movements to such an extent that it is difficult for them to walk or even get out of bed. About why joints hurt, how to strengthen them and what measures will help maintain their health, "Izvestia", February 24, told the candidate of medical sciences, expert doctor of the laboratory "Gemotest" Ekaterina Demyanovskaya.

"Most often joints start to hurt after 50-60 years of age because of osteoarthritis. This is a degenerative disease of the joints, in which for various reasons gradually destroys the articular cartilage, which performs the function of cushioning during movement. But sometimes joint problems also occur at a younger age - for example, due to injuries, physical work or autoimmune pathology. Finally, joints can hurt in people with excess body weight - because of excess weight increases the load on the joints, they wear out faster," - explained the expert.

To understand the exact cause of pain in the joints will help examination. You should start with a visit to a general practitioner or therapist.

"To clarify the diagnosis, the doctor may recommend taking a general blood test and assessing the level of C-reactive protein. These tests will help to detect inflammation, even if outwardly it does not give itself away. Detect streptococcal infection, which can attack the joints and cause polyarthritis, will allow you to analyze antistreptolysin-O. These are antibodies that the immune system produces when it encounters a bacterium," the doctor added.

According to her, when joints start to ache, many patients prescribe themselves all sorts of creams and ointments or even prepare some homemade tinctures for compresses. But you need to realize that this approach does not work and can cause complications. If you do not eliminate the cause of the problem, the pain will return and intensify.

Another common myth about maintaining healthy joints is related to taking biosupplements with collagen. This is a protein that serves as the main building material for skin, joint and connective tissue cells.

"Collagen levels are primarily dependent on genetic factors and the workings of the hormonal system, not just nutrition as many people think. Once in the body, such 'external' collagen is broken down to amino acids. And there is no guarantee that they go exclusively to strengthen the joints. For the body itself to produce enough collagen, it is important not to allow the deficiency of vitamins A, D, E and K," - explained the expert.

First of all, patients with joint diseases are recommended to limit the use of salt, spicy spices, smoked meats. It is important to make sure that the diet was enough foods rich in vitamin C, calcium, phosphorus, vitamin D and bioflavonoids - plant active substances, which are especially abundant in citrus fruits, apples, pears, celery and some berries. In addition, polyunsaturated fatty acids omega-3 and omega-6, which are found in seafood, vegetable oil, seeds and nuts, are extremely important for the health of the ligamentous apparatus of the joints.

On February 2, neurologist, candidate of medical sciences, expert physician of the laboratory "Hemotest" Ekaterina Demyanovskaya told "Izvestia" about the benefits of Nordic walking. According to her, it is more active than the usual, as it loads different muscle groups that are rarely used in life. It is especially useful for inactive people who are far from sports and have sedentary jobs.