What Is Osteoarthritis?
The most common form of arthritis which affects millions of people throughout the world is osteoarthritis. Osteoarthritis occurs when the cartilage that protects the end of the bones wear over time. However, osteoarthritis has been found to exert a damaging effect on any joints of the body, the part of the body which is commonly affected by this disorder includes the hands, knees, hips, and spine.
The symptoms of osteoarthritis aggravate as time goes on and this is because the disorder is a progressive disease. Osteoarthritis has been found to be prevalent in elderly individuals, although adults of any ages can also be affected by osteoarthritis. Osteoarthritis can also be referred to as a degenerative joint disease, degenerative arthritis, and wear-and-tear arthritis. One of the leading causes of disability, osteoarthritis affects over 30 million men and women in the United States.
What are the causes of osteoarthritis?
Several factors increase the risk of developing osteoarthritis. That includes:
1. Heredity. A lot of individuals have an inherited defect in one of those genes that are responsible for the production of cartilage. This results in defective cartilage, and it leads to faster joint damage. Individuals that are giving birth to with joint abnormalities are at higher risk of developing osteoarthritis and those with an abnormal spine (for example scoliosis or curvature of the spine) are more likely to develop osteoarthritis of the spine.
2. Obesity. Individuals who are obese are at higher risk of developing osteoarthritis of the knee, hip, and spine. Sticking to an ideal body weight or reducing excess weight can be helpful in preventing osteoarthritis in these areas or reduce the progression rate when osteoarthritis is established.
3. Injury. Another factor which contributes to the development of osteoarthritis is Injury. For example, athletes with knee injuries are more likely to develop knee osteoarthritis. Also, people who have had severe back injury may be prone to develop osteoarthritis of the spine. People who had a broken bone close to the joint tend to develop osteoarthritis in that joint.
4. Excessive use of joints. Excessive use of certain joints increases the risk of developing osteoarthritis. For example, if your jobs require repeated bending of your knees, you are at a high risk of developing osteoarthritis of the knee.
5. Other diseases. Individuals, who have rheumatoid arthritis which is widely known as the second type of arthritis, are at higher risk of developing osteoarthritis. In addition, some rare diseases, such as iron overload or excess growth hormone, increase the chance of developing osteoarthritis.
Symptoms of Osteoarthritis
The symptom of osteoarthritis has been found to develop slowly and aggravates as time goes on. Below are some symptoms of osteoarthritis:
1. Pain in the joint which can make the joint to be hurt amid or after movement.
2. Tenderness. There may be a feeling of tenderness on your joint when light pressure is applied to it.
3. Stiffness. Your joints can be stiff and this can be noticed when you wake up early in the morning or after a period of inactivity.
4. Loss of Flexibility. Moving the joint over its full range can be a difficult task.
5. Grating sensation. When you make use of the joint, there can be sound or feeling of a grating sensation.
Osteoarthritis Treatment
Treatment for Osteoarthritis requires restoring the circulation and blood flow to the affected structures in your knee. Pain is caused when swelling, inflammation and decreased circulation generate a blockage, which causes blood flow to be interrupted or slowed. Treatment for this issue requires breaking up the accumulated fluids in your knee to allow for improved healing and quicker recovery.
Products recommended for symptoms of swelling, redness, pain, and inflammation, and if coolness makes your pain feel better:
Ice Substitute Poultice
Bruise Relief Liniment
Muscle Therapy Massage Oil
Products recommended when swelling and inflammation are gone, but you still feel pain, stiffness, weakness, and/or sensitivity in cold and damp weather, and if heat makes your pain feel better:
Pain Relief Liniment
Tendon and Ligament Poultice
Muscle Therapy Massage Oil
