Osteoarthritis Information

Osteoarthritis Information… You Can Fight Osteoarthritis

Your doctor can provide the best osteoarthritis information.   He should work with you to make a plan that will help you slow down the progression of your osteoarthritis, as well as teach you how to control your pain and live a normal life.  Your plan will encompass weight control, medication, joint protection, exercise and possibly physical or occupational therapy.

Osteoarthritis is the most common type of arthritis.  Osteoarthritis can be caused by many different things, however the primary cause is ageing.

The aging process promotes the increase the amount of water in cartilage. Osteoarthritis arthritis is mostly due to this increase of water which breaks down the protein of cartilage. With continual use, joints tend to become inflamed which leads to swelling and pain. Cartilage will eventually start eroding and flake away. Those with severe degenerative arthritis will have total loss of cartilage between their joints.  Osteoarthritis can also be brought on by an old injury, or continual pressure on a weak joint. 

When there is no cartilage, or cushion, between the joints the individual will experience pain and limited mobility in the afflicted site. Bone spurs can also develop when the cartilage is inflamed, which leads to additional pain. The only good thing about osteoarthritis is that it does not affect other organs or systems in the body.

Individuals who are overweight may be at higher risk for osteoarthritis. Carrying around excess weight can cause joint cartilage to break down.  Anyone who has suffered a joint injury may also be prone to osteoarthritis.  If you have suffered an injury to a joint, or if you do workouts which are high impact, you should monitor the health of your joints.

Osteoarthritis is different from patient to patient. One may experience severe joint pain and be totally debilitated, while another may have only mild pain on an intermittent basis. The symptoms of osteoarthritis are pain, stiffness, swelling, warmth, and creaking at the joint site. When there is a total loss of cartilage, a patient can experience pain even when resting.

Many individuals with osteoarthritis do not want to exercise.  However, your doctor will encourage you to.  Exercise will help your joints from becoming stiff and it will also help strengthen your muscles.  When you first start exercising, you may experience pain, which will usually decrease with time.

When you first start exercising, you may find that over the counter medications help to relieve the pain.  You may also want to apply compresses to your joints.   If you suffer with inflammation, a cold compress is usually the first choice to relieve the swelling.  If you have tight or sore muscles, a heat compress will work best.

You may also want to start supplementing your diet with a dietary supplement.  Many people take glucosamine to relieve pain and slow down the degenerative process of arthritis.  You should let your doctor know if you are adding a dietary supplement to your osteoarthritis health plan.

Osteoarthritis information is freely available on the internet; however you should always discuss your medical conditions with a qualified doctor who will prescribe the best course of action for you.