NewZNew (Chandigarh) : With increase in winter chill, arthritis patients could feel it in their bones. The pain for arthritis patients has become a yardstick to predict intensity of winters, said Dr. Manuj Wadhwa, Director & Head, Max Elite Institute of Orthopedics & Joint Replacement at Max Super Speciality Hospital (MSSH), Mohali while addressing over 300 members of the Chandigarh Golf Club (CGC) during a health seminar organized by MSSH at CGC last night.
Dr. Sudheer Saxena, Director & Head, Cardiology spoke on ‘Surviving heart attacks on the Golf course’. He shared important tips on how giving timely chest compressions could save a dying golfer. He also informed how Cardio Pulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) could turn out to be a life saving decision. It could be frightening to see your golfing buddy collapse and stop breathing but the key was to give CPR, for which no special skills were needed and which could end up saving a life, he asserted.
Also present on the occasion were Mr. Sandeep Dogra, VP-Operations, MSS and Mr. B S Gill, President, CGC and Dr. G S Kochhar, Chairman,CGC.
Dr Wadhwa informed that arthritis referred to more than 100 different types of diseases involving surrounding tissue, joints of the body and other connecting tissue. Winters were the most difficult season for arthritis patients. According to various research studies 70% of arthritic patients were weather sensitive. Besides that it was observed that people suffering from osteoarthritis, especially women were greatly affected due to climate change.”
Cold temperatures caused muscles, tendons and ligaments around joints to contract worsening the arthritis pain. One of main survival tips for cold weather included taking sufficient rest after exercise. Exercises would also keep heart fit increasing its beating rate and subsequent increase of blood flow in body. Any type of exercise that would increase blood flow without hurting arthritic joints must be maintained in winter months, he explained.
Suggesting the patients to keep affected areas warm under wraps, Dr Wadhwa said that the warm joints were happy joints. To maintain happy joints knees covered with pants, sweats or even neoprene knee wraps would work wonders.
Laying emphasis on healthy diet to counter arthritis in winters, Dr Wadhwa said that plenty of fruits, vegetables, coldwater fish, unsalted nuts and seeds and grains and pulses should be taken on daily basis.
Tips to manage arthritis in winters:
- Stay indoors.
- Wear extra layer of thermals.
- Before going outdoors take prescribed pain relief medicines.
- Regular exercises
- Keep aching joints warm.
- Avoid injuries
- Take healthy and balanced diet with plenty of fruits and vegetables.
- Make sure that you visit your physician regularly
