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Osteoarthritis: Symptoms, Treatment and Pain Relief

Osteoarthritis, also known as degenerative arthritis, affects over 15 million Americans. Osteoarthritis occurs more frequently in men before the age of 45, and after the age of 55 in women. There are actually over 100 different types of arthritis, but osteoarthritis is the most common form.



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What is Osteoarthritis?

Osteoarthritis is a breakdown of the cartilage in a joint, eventually leading to abnormal bone changes. The role of joints is to provide flexibility, stability, support and protection. Cartilage assists in these functions by coating the ends of the bones. When cartilage starts to breakdown in a joint, osteoarthritis develops. In the early stages of osteoarthritis, the surface of the cartilage becomes swollen, forming tiny crevasses. Inflammation may also occur in the synovium, a fluid-filled sac that surrounds the joint and provides nutrients and oxygen. As the cartilage loses elasticity, it becomes vulnerable to further damage from repetitive use. This can cause a great deal of joint pain and swelling. In advanced cases, there is a complete loss of cartilage cushion between the joint and bone, which causes pain and limited joint mobility. The joints most commonly affected are the knees, hips, spine, hands and toes.

Osteoarthritis is not a systemic condition - in other words, it does not spread throughout the body, but instead affects only the joint or joints where the deterioration has occurred.

What are the symptoms of osteoarthritis?

Symptoms can vary among individuals, some being completely debilitated, while others may experience few symptoms despite the severity of their condition. Symptoms may also be intermittent, and some may have long lengths of time between each interval of symptoms.

In osteoarthritis of the spine, pain can occur in the neck or lower back. If bony spurs develop, this can irritate the nerves in the spine, causing numbness, tingling and severe pain. Osteoarthritis in the fingers can cause a formation of hard bony enlargements, and bunions can form at the base of the big toe if this area is affected.

The most common symptom is pain in the affected joint(s) after repetitive use. Joint pain is usually worse later in the day. People often experience swelling, pain and stiffness, particularly after long periods of inactivity. In advanced cases when there is total loss of cartilage, the pain can be ongoing, even at rest.

What is the cause of Osteoarthritis?

Most cases of osteoarthritis are "primary osteoarthritis", where the cause is unknown. When the cause is known, it is referred to as "secondary osteoarthritis". Primary osteoarthritis occurs from aging, as the water content in the cartilage increases and the protein portion degenerates.

Secondary osteoarthritis is usually due to another disease or condition, such as obesity, repeated trauma or surgery on a joint, or gout. Obesity can cause osteoarthritis due to the excess weight and stress on the cartilage, particularly on the joints in the knees and hips. However, metabolic disturbances associated with excess body fat may also promote osteoarthritis.

What are the risk factors? ...

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Pritikin Perspective - Healthy Living Made Easier
Pritikin Perspective is a publication for Alumni of the Pritikin Longevity Center. It is dedicated to helping people make healthy changes in their lives. The articles in this publication should not be considered specific medical advice, as each individual circumstance is different. You are strongly encouraged to seek medical advice before beginning a program of diet and exercise.
Editor/Writer: Eugenia Killoran.

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