Osteoarthritis is the number one crippling disease in the United States. It is also known as degenerative joint disease, and is associated with a deterioration of the joint's cartilage, which causes the bones to rub together, causing pain, stiffness and loss of movement.
Symptoms... The disease affects about 27 million Americans, and typically affects the knees, hips, hands, low back and neck. The pain and stiffness of osteoarthritis usually begins after age 40, then progresses slowly, and is especially noticeable after periods of inactivity or excessive use. Other symptoms include bony growths at the affected joints and a "catching" sensation during joint movement.
Osteoarthritis can affect both the larger and smaller joints. It often begins in the early stages to ache when using the joint, but in the later stages can hurt even while lying down.
What causes osteoarthritis? The medical profession cannot confirm a specific cause directly, but associated risk factors include being overweight, previous joint trauma or infection, heredity, a sedentary lifestyle, aging, previous nerve injury and repeated use of certain joints.
To diagnose osteoarthritis, doctors will usually recommend either x-rays or magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) testing to rule out other possible causes and to determine the amount of damage to the joint. Other tests may include joint aspiration, which involves draining fluid from the joint, as well as blood testing.
Treatment for osteoarthritis... Physical therapy is often recommended for arthritic patients. Certain exercises can help the joints become more mobile and decrease pain, sometimes to the point of delaying surgical intervention. A daily exercise routine is often advised, since lack of exercise, as well as strenuous exercise, can make symptoms worse. A regular, steady schedule of movement is best.
In addition, losing weight can make a huge difference in relief of pain and other symptoms. Some studies found that for each pound lost, the benefit felt like a four-pound reduction.
Your doctor can prescribe medication for pain relief, which often takes weeks to build up enough in your system to offer a great deal of relief. Patients are usually advised not to discontinue medication without checking with their doctors first.
Get as much information about the illness as possible, so you know what you are dealing with. By taking charge of your osteoarthritis, you will have the power to make changes in your life that can greatly reduce the pain, stiffness, and other symptoms.
Find out what else you can do now to provide relief from the pain of arthritis.
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