听力文摘：长期用筷子有损关节（在线收听）

Chopsticks and Arthritis

筷子与关节炎

If you've ever tried eating with chopsticks, you know they can be a pain to learn how to use. According to a Boston University study, ever since their invention nearly five-thousand years ago, chopsticks have been a source of literal pain by exacerbating the onset of osteoarthritis in old age.

如果你有用筷子吃过饭，你就知道学习使用它就是一种痛苦。波士顿大学的一项研究表明，因为他们（指中国人）发明筷子是在近5000年以前，所以(使用)筷子是造成（一个人）在老年时期产生骨关节炎的原因之一。

Osteoarthritis is a disease of the joints caused by repeated use of a particular joint. Normally the ends of bones are covered with a shock-absorber-like pad of springycartilage that helps bone ends move more easily.

骨关节炎是一种由重复使用某一关节而造成的关节疾病。通常情况下，骨头的末端是被一层类似可以防震的、有弹性的软骨覆盖的垫层。

Over time, repeated use of the joint can wear the cartilage down like the eraser on a frequently used pencil. When cartilage wears down, bone end rubs against bone end on a joint, causing stiffness and often extreme pain. Over time, an unprotected joint can become deformed and parts of the rubbing bones can wear away and chip off, causing even more discomfort.

随着时间的推移，对关节的重复使用会磨损该软骨，就像在经常使用的铅笔上面的橡皮擦一样。当软骨被磨损了，骨头末端就会与关节末端产生摩擦，造成（骨头）坚硬，而且时常极度疼痛。随着时间的推移，这个不受保护的关节就会变得畸形，与之摩擦的骨头部分会因为摩擦而磨损，造成更多的不适。

What does this have to do with chopsticks? Any repetitive motion involving the fingers can amplify the effects of naturally occurring cartilagedecay. If you've ever used chopsticks you know that pinching them together puts stress on the thumb and forefinger.

这与筷子又有什么关系呢？包括手指在内的任何一个重复性的动作都会比自然发生的软骨衰退效果严重。如果你有用过筷子你就会知道将它们夹在一起会将压力施在大拇指和食指上。

Imagine making this motion at every meal every day of your life and you begin to understand how chopsticks can harm your joints. According to the Boston University study, the thumb joint is the primary victim of chopstick use.

试想如果你每天每餐都这样，你就会明白筷子是如何伤害你的关节了。根据波士顿大学的研究，使用筷子的主要受害部位就是大拇指。

If you're an adventurousdiner and occasionally like to eat Asian food using authentic dining implements, don't worry. Only regular use over many years is cause for alarm.

如果你是个爱冒险的食客，不时的喜欢吃要使用点用餐工具的亚洲食物，不要担心。因为只有超过数年的定期使用才会造成危险。