How can rheumatic diseases be prevented?

There is currently no known method of prevention for fibromyalgia, rheumatoid arthritis, juvenile rheumatoid arthritis (JRA), or systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). Patients should take their medications exactly as prescribed and visit their healthcare providers regularly to help prevent complications and ensure that symptoms are properly managed.

Individuals who maintain a healthy body weight have a decreased risk of developing osteoarthritis. Being overweight or obese increases the amount of stress put on the joints and may contribute to the development of osteoarthritis or may worsen symptoms of the disease.

Eating a healthy and well-balanced diet may help individuals control their weight. The U.S. government issued a revised food pyramid in 2005 in an effort to help Americans live healthier. The new pyramid provides 12 different models, which are based on daily calorie needs, ranging from the 1,000-calorie diets for toddlers to 3,200-calorie diets for teenage boys.

Regular exercise may also help patients control their weight. There are many ways for people to exercise including, gardening, walking, sports activities, and dancing. Patients who are beginning an exercise program should choose activities that fit their levels of strength and endurance. The type of exercise is not as important as a consistent exercise schedule. Most experts today agree that burning calories should not be the goal of exercise. Exercise that causes extreme pain or discomfort is considered by many experts as harmful, and it may even cause permanent damage to the body.

Patients can reduce their risks of developing bursitis and prevent flare-ups by stretching the muscles before physical activity. Strengthening the muscles around the joints also helps protect against bursitis. Patients should also avoid resting the joints on hard surfaces.

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