The word Arthritis was heard only in context of people beyond the age of 50 years. However, now it makes a subtle entry into the lives of youngsters between 25 to 30 years.

Pain stiffness, swelling or redness around the joints could just be the beginning of a debilitating disease. Contrary to the popular belief, arthritis can also be found in youngsters. Reasons for this could range from the lifestyle to posture to food habits.

From the air we breathe to the food we consume, there is no 100 percent nutrition one can claim. Emphasizing on the need of healthy lifestyle Dr. (Col.) O. P. Garg, Rheumatologist at BLK Super Speciality Hospital said, ‘While earlier and accurate diagnosis can help to prevent irreversible damage caused due to Arthritis, adopting a healthy lifestyle is the first step towards improvement under the treatment of such a condition.’

Gen Y today, believe in leading a cool lifestyle, rather than a healthy one. Junk eating, the most prominent habit is considered one of the major culprits.

While unhealthy eating habits is one side of the story, the other reason could also be postural flaws. Poor posture happens easily if one is intensely concentrating on the work at hand. It is very difficult to consciously maintain proper posture. But, if the study space is arranged properly initially, one won’t have to think about constantly checking his or her posture.

Common posture mistakes:

The most common bad posture is slumping or slouching while sitting. This is where the shoulders are rounded forward and the head is pulling forward. This puts damaging stress on the muscles, joints, and discs of the neck, upper back, and shoulders. Prolonged sitting puts excessive strain on the muscles of your upper back often causing Burning Upper Back Pain.

Here’s how you can guard against Arthritis

Your desk should have sufficient knee room
Your monitor should be approximately an arm’s length away
Your wrists should be in a neutral position when using a computer
Your chair should be adjustable, comfortably padded with no sharp edges on the seat
Your chair should preferably have arm rests that comfortably support the elbows and forearms
Your monitor should be positioned directly in front so that the body and head are not rotated
Study in well lit areas to avoid eye strain and to avoid bending in order to see the reading material
Take periodic “eye breaks” to relieve eye strain
Take occasional study breaks, e.g. a standing/walking break for a few minutes every 30-60 minutes
Perform periodic stretching exercises of the back, neck, shoulders, arms, wrists, and fingers

Apart from these tips, ensure you follow a diet rich in vitamins fruits and vegetables, which contain important vitamins and minerals, especially vitamin E.

Food rich in Omega 3 fatty acids are also a good choice. Keep shifting postures while studying and ensure you take frequent naps during the day, to ease out stress. Last but definitely not the least, have a regular check on your weight. If you are overweight, resort to physical exercises. Plan a good cardio work out or register for yoga classes.

adopted from an article, courtesy: http://campus.yahoo.com