Sunday May 17, 2009
Walk for your joints
By LIM WEY WEN
TEN days in space had Datuk Dr Sheikh Muszaphar Shukor Sheikh Mustapha returning to earth a changed person.
Even after the countless interviews he has given on his experience, his enthusiasm is still palpable when he talks about it now.
“Space has definitely changed my perspective on life. Small, petty things do not bother me anymore and I’m more into global issues like hunger and poverty.
The most common type of arthritis is osteoarthritis which happens when the cartilage that cushions the ends of bones in our joints deteriorates over time. “But the most important thing, for me, is to create awareness on different issues, including diseases.
“That’s why when Kordel’s asked me whether I could be the ambassador for this charity walkathon, I said, ‘why not? This is what I have always wanted to do because it is important to tell people out there that arthritis should be treated and detected at an early age, and it can be prevented’,” he says.
Arthritis (the Greek word for inflammation of the joint) is a group of conditions that damage our joints.
Dr Sheikh Muszaphar The most common type of arthritis is osteoarthritis, which occurs when the cartilage that cushions the ends of bones in our joints deteriorate over time.
An orthopaedic surgeon by profession, Dr Sheikh is all too aware that most people do not go to their doctors to seek advice about arthritis until it is too late.
“In fact, arthritis is quite easy to detect. All you need to do is to see a doctor, who will take your history and examine you with some tests, like an x-ray or a MRI,” says Dr Sheikh Muszaphar.
Treatment often starts with physiotherapy, and medications such as painkillers and anti-inflammatories may be given. Surgery is usually the last resort.
“There are also some supplements like glucosamine and chondroitin that could help us prevent (osteoarthritis) from becoming worse,” says Dr Sheikh Muszaphar.
According to pharmacist Thomas Lim, Kordel’s business unit manager, glucosamine, a raw material needed to build cartilage, aids the repair and rebuilding of damaged cartilage.
Thomas Lim Chondroitin, however, works by reducing the activity of enzymes that break down cartilage and drawing in water – that serves as a lubricant – into the space between the cartilages (synovial space) in the joints.
“It is better if you take both of them together as it has a synergistic effect,” says Lim.
Although glucosamine and chondroitin will help with the pain in the long run, it is different from normal painkillers, he adds.
“This is because they address the core problem of arthritis by promoting the repair of cartilage, whereas painkillers only treat the symptoms.”
Growing up with four physically active brothers and parents who emphasised the importance of living a healthy lifestyle has taught Dr Sheikh Muszaphar the virtues of prevention in any disease.
Education, a good diet and exercise, to him, are essential for keeping diseases at bay.
To prevent arthritis, he says, “First of all, you must understand arthritis. You’ve got to have a very healthy lifestyle at a very young age and you must exercise. The problem with people these days is they say they don’t have time.”
Even for people with arthritis, exercise is important for alleviating symptoms and preventing further deterioration of the joints.
“Most people think they should not exercise when they have arthritis because it makes them feel worse as they have pain and stiffness of the joints,” he says, “But we usually encourage our patients to carry out low-impact sports like swimming and brisk walking.”
When it comes to glucosamine and chondroitin, Dr Sheikh thinks that people should start earlier and not wait until they develop osteoarthritis to benefit from the supplements.
Lim suggests that 30 years old is a safe age to start.
“When people are much younger, they can opt for glucosamine on its own, but people with more severe cases of osteoarthritis or those who are above 40 years old should opt for the mixed (glucosamine and chondroitin) ones,” says Lim.
“Chondroitin on its own has also its own function, but it does not offer the synergistic effect it has together with glucosamine.
Some customers, however, say they could feel the effects even by taking only chondroitin. It depends on the individual,” he adds.
Nevertheless, self-supplementation is not a substitute for a thorough medical consultation. “If you have this problem, you should go to a doctor and seek medical advice,” says Lim.
To join the charity walkathon, which will be held from 7.00am to 11.00am on May 24 May at Taman Rekreasi Taman Jaya (Jaya Park), Petaling Jaya. Just form a team of four and send in your registration forms available at www.kordels.com.my and Guardian and Caring pharmacies by May 22. As part of the Kordel’s-AFM Charity campaign, RM1 will be donated to the Arthritis Foundation Malaysia with every purchase of selected Kordel’s items (labelled with AFM stickers).
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