World Arthritis Day is a global health awareness event held every year on October 12 to raise awareness about rheumatic and musculoskeletal diseases, their impact on people's lives, and to educate people about the symptoms and preventive measures, as well as to guide for early diagnosis to avoid further complications.
The goal of the day is to bring people from all over the world together on a single platform to advocate for more opportunities to support and provide better treatment options to people suffering from rheumatic and musculoskeletal diseases (RMDs).
Arthritis is an inflammatory joint disorder that affects the tissues surrounding the joint as well as other connective tissues, resulting in joint pain and stiffness. There are over 100 different types of arthritis, but the most common are osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis. Arthritis and its related conditions have crippled many people around the world due to a lack of awareness and support.
There is no specific treatment for arthritis; treatment options vary depending on the type, so it is critical to understand the signs and symptoms and obtain an early diagnosis to receive appropriate treatment.
World Arthritis Day (WAD) plays an important role in encouraging people, the medical community, and governments all over the world to participate in the awareness campaign to create better opportunities for those who are affected.
The Theme of World Arthritis Day 2022
The World Arthritis Day Theme for 2022 is "It's in your hands, take action," addressing the global population to join hands for this cause to make this event fruitful for those who lack support.
The theme "It's in your hands, take action" encourages people with arthritis, their caregivers, families, and the general public to take advantage of any opportunity to improve their lifestyle.
History of World Arthritis Day
Arthritis and Rheumatism International (ARI) established World Arthritis Day (WAD), with the first event taking place on October 12, 1996. Since then, many global communities, including the Arthritis Foundation, have joined the cause to raise awareness, close the knowledge gap, provide support and access to communities, advocate for strong policies, and fund research.
Self-care Strategies for Arthritic Joint Pain
- Include plenty of anti-inflammatory foods in your diet, such as green leafy vegetables, berries, ginger, nuts, legumes, and fiber.
- Make calcium and vitamin D intake a priority.
- Maintain Your Ideal Weight: Excess body weight puts strain on our joints, particularly the weight-bearing joints.
- Regular physical activity should be followed by Low-Impact Exercises to reduce joint stress. Swimming, walking, and cycling are examples of low-impact exercises that can be done daily.
- Yoga and meditation can help your muscles relax.
- Quit smoking.
How is World Arthritis Day celebrated?
- Increase awareness. Discover how arthritis affects people and how you can assist patients.
- Take good care of yourself.
- Make yourself ready.
