Habits..

[Artz]

Not anything serious, of course, but.. I have an annoying habit that I started up ages ago and never really stopped, which I'm afraid might cause horrible Arthritis when I'm older.. and I wonder if anyone knows how to prevent it?

The habit would be 'cracking'. Started when I was.. well, eight, with my ankle. All the P.E teachers say not to move your foot in circles, as its not that kind of joint.. but it gets so oddly addictive lol. Now its gone to my wrists.. as I'll frequently twist them during an exam when I'm writing continuously..and, well, its not good

So, what are the symptoms for arthritis?.. and would there be any ways to prevent it, alongside the annoying habit-addiction?


Alongside that.. our primary schools are awful in teaching us to sit cross-legged.. it can't be good for you, right? I've now changed to sitting cross-legged on chairs at school/home and even moving my feet, once crossed, under me.. can't be any good at all for circulation xD.. maybe I'm just worrying too much too soon

[Mira O'Halloran]

Hi Artz.

I do get your concern for your health - There are plenty of things you can do with arthritis, how ever, i don't think you'll have to worry about it just yet.

Taken from MedicineNet.com

"Cracking joints" are an interesting and poorly understood phenomenon. There are many theories as to why joints crack or pop, but the exact cause is simply not known.

Painless cracking of joints is as a rule not harmful. However, common sense generally would suggest that the intentional and repetitive cracking of one's joints not only is potentially socially bothersome but also could be physically troublesome when it produces pain.

Knuckle "cracking" has not been shown to be harmful or beneficial. More specifically, knuckle cracking does not cause arthritis.

Joint "cracking" can result from a negative pressure pulling nitrogen gas temporarily into the joint, such as when knuckles are "cracked." This is not harmful. "Cracking" sounds can also be heard if tendons snap over tissues because of minor adjustments in their gliding paths. This can occur with aging as muscle mass and action change.

If cracking is accompanied by pain, there could be underlying abnormalities of the structures of the joint, such as loose cartilage or injured ligaments. Some patients with arthritis (inflammation of joints, usually painful), bursitis, or tendinitis notice "cracking" sounds with joint movements due to the snapping of irregular, swollen tissues.

Let me know if you need more information.