While some risk factors for arthritis can’t be changed, such as age, genetic factors, and sex assigned at birth, others we have more control over. These include physical activity level, weight and diet, occupation, smoking habits, and joint protection. While there is no guarantee against developing arthritis, maintaining a healthy lifestyle by eating well, staying active and not smoking can help reduce your risk. If you are concerned about developing arthritis, talk to a healthcare professional for actions you can take to help reduce your risk, and visit the Arthritis Society’s website at arthritis.ca for more information. If you’ve been experiencing pain in one or more joints for 6 weeks or longer, you may want to use our Symptom Checker tool to help start a conversation with your doctor about arthritis.
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