Arthritis
literally means joint inflammation, and it can affect joints
in any part of the body. Joints are places in the body where
two bones meet.
Many people use the term arthritis to refer to rheumatic diseases;
however, the different kinds of arthritis comprise just a portion
of the rheumatic diseases.
Arthritis is often a chronic disease, which means that it
can affect you over a long period of time. Many forms of arthritis
cause swelling, redness, heat, and pain. The 3 most common
are:
• Osteoarthritis
• Rheumatoid Arthritis
• Gout
Osteoarthritis
is the most common form of arthritis among older people.
Osteoarthritis
occurs when cartilage, the tissue that cushions the ends of
the bones within the joints, breaks down and wears away. In
some cases, all of the cartilage may wear away, leaving bones
that rub up against each other.
Symptoms range from stiffness and mild pain that comes and
goes to severe joint pain. Osteoarthritis affects hands, low
back, neck, and weight-bearing joints such as knees, hips,
and feet.
Osteoarthritis is one of the most frequent causes of physical
disability among older adults. The disease affects both men
and women. Before age 45, osteoarthritis is more common in
men than in women. After age 45, osteoarthritis is more common
in women. By age 65, more than half of the population has
x-ray evidence of osteoarthritis in at least one joint. Osteoarthritis
affects only joints, not internal organs.
Causes
and Risk Factors of Osteoarthritis
Researchers suspect that osteoarthritis is caused by a combination
of factors in the body and the environment. The chance of
developing osteoarthritis increases with age. By age 65, half
of the population has x-ray evidence of osteoarthritis in
at least one joint, most often in the hips, knees, or fingers.
Osteoarthritis
often results from years of wear and tear on joints. This
wear and tear mostly affects the cartilage, the tissue that
cushions the ends of bones within the joint. Osteoarthritis
occurs when the cartilage begins to fray, wear away, and decay.
Putting too much stress on a joint that has been previously
injured, improper alignment of joints, and excess weight all
may lead to the development of osteoarthritis.
Treatment of Osteoarthritis
Current treatments for osteoarthritis can relieve symptoms
such as pain and disability, but right now there is no cure
for the disease. Exercise is one of the best treatments
for osteoarthritis. It can improve mood and outlook, decrease
pain, increase flexibility, and help you maintain a healthy
weight. The amount and form of exercise will depend on which
joints are involved, how stable the joint is, the amount of
joint inflammation, and whether a joint replacement has already
been done.
Ask your doctor, rheumatologist or physical therapist what
exercises are best for you.
For temporary
pain relief from osteoarthritis, you can use warm towels,
hot packs, or a warm bath or shower. Cold packs are often
used to reduce the inflammation of swollen joints.
Clinical trials have shown that glucosamine and chondroitin
sulfate may have some usefulness in relieving symptoms of
osteoarthritis. However, definitive answers about the effectiveness
of glucosamine and chondroitin sulfate are not yet available.
Source:
National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin
Diseases
A
Look At Arthritis: America's Leading Cause of Disability
by:
Larry Denton Next
>>
