6 tips to keep your joints healthy as you age

(Kimberly Drake/ Good Rx Health) — You might not think about your joints unless you have a health issue that affects them. But your joints are critical for your health and mobility. As you age, they may become more prone to wear and tear. The good news is that taking care of your joints can help you prevent or manage age-related changes. Learn more about joint health and how you can protect your joints below. 

Joints are connections between your bones that allow movement. These complex meeting points are made up of cartilage, ligaments, and tendons. They also contain specialized fluids that lessen friction and cushion your bones. Healthy joints help you make movements — such as walking, bending, lifting, and grasping — easily and without pain. 

Problems with your joints can happen at any age. But as you get older, your joints may experience natural wear and tear. Age-related musculoskeletal changes are partly to blame. This includes less bone density, synovial fluid, cartilage, and muscle mass. These changes may lead to joint disorders or injuries such as arthritis, sprains or strains, and tendinitis. Maintaining joint health can help you prevent some of these changes that may affect your mobility and well-being. (…)