Bone ailments rising in Uttarakhand, thanks to lack of awareness

In India, 22 to 39 per cent people suffer from osteoarthritis. The problem becomes complicated in the hilly region. Read more...

Last Updated on March 1, 2024 by Partha Protim Choudhury

Arthritis can be classified into two categories – osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis. In the case of the former, the cartilage, a form of fluid that lubricates the bones at joints to reduce friction, weakens due to the bones rubbing against each other. Rheumatoid arthritis, on the other hand, sees the body’s immune system attack its own tissues, including the joints.

According to the World Health Organisation, nearly 10 per cent of men and 18 per cent of women who have crossed 60 years suffer from osteoarthritis. Due to a sedentary lifestyle nowadays, youths are also falling prey to this disease. In India also this is not much different, bone ailments rising in Uttarakhand..

Vinay Chauhan

The problem of osteoarthritis becomes complicated in the hills. According to Dr Vinay Chauhan from a primary health centre in Khansyun village in Okhalkanda development block of Uttarakhand, “Lack of awareness among villagers is a major challenge. In our body, there are many joints that keep bones together. These joints have a soft tissue called cartilage. When we move, pressure is created on these joints and the cartilage acts as a shock absorber to protect the joints.”

“Arthritis has more than 100 forms but in the hills, the most common are osteoarthritis, gout, ankylosing spondylitis, juvenile idiopathic arthritis, etc. In many cases, these ailments lead to other symptoms in the body including problems in the heart, lungs, and eyes or carpal tunnel syndrome, etc.”

People must be made aware

In the hill areas, a number of factors leads to osteoarthritis. However, the tendency among people to ignore its symptoms is a major problem. It is very common to get injuries in a village where life comes with various hardships.

Hema Devi, a resident of Sirsora village in the Almora district of Uttarakhand, said that she had frequent falls while gathering wood and grass from the forest but underwent treatment for her injuries at home because of lack of health facilities. But avoiding proper treatment has made things worse and now, she faces problems while walking.

Even though she is now getting treated in a government hospital in Haldwani city, her doctor has told her that the injuries have put her knee joints under stress and since she ignored the problem and did not take enough rest, the cartilage has been adversely affected and she has developed arthritis. The doctor has even said that the condition of her knees has deteriorated so much that she might have to undergo knee transplantation.

When modernisation becomes a bane

According to sources at Aarohi Arogya Kendra in Satoli, Nainital, 50 per cent of the patients that come to the health centre suffer from knee and hip-related problems. Arthritis is a major health issue but lack of care and tendency to ignore the symptoms has made it a major threat to public health in the hill areas. The modern lifestyle is affecting even young people. Spending hours before screens (television, mobile, computer), consuming fast food, lack of physical exercise, etc., are among the major reasons that are pushing them into danger.

Thirty per cent of the patients who come for treatment at the health centre are youth and that is a concern. According to the officials, the preliminary symptoms include swelling in the feet, stiffness in the body, and uneasiness in movement. One should not waste time to consult the doctor as soon as these symptoms develop so that there is no delay in treatment. According to the health sources, “Physical exercise and physiotherapy are the only way to treat any form of arthritis. If they do not give relief, then one goes for transplantation.”

arthritis problem

Devendra Chandra Melkani of Sela Lekh village in Dhari development block of Nainital district said that he has been suffering from arthritis for many years now and faces immense pain even while walking from his home to local shops.

Arthritis: A challenge

Every year, people observe October 12 as World Arthritis Day, the goal of which is to spread awareness among people about the disease. Experts advise those who have arthritis to eat more fruits such as apples, and blackberries, and those who are rich in Vitamin C; garlic; ginger; turmeric; broccoli; spinach; and fish; and drink more water. On the other hand, it is advisable to take cold food items, flour, and caffeine, only after consulting the doctor. As, bone ailments rising in Uttarakhand, we wait for a better future.

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