ARTHRITIS: WHAT IS IT AND HOW IS IT TREATED.
Geoff Mousseau
June 04, 2009
The term, Arthritis, is used to describe pain and stiffness in our joints. Television commercials show older people rubbing their hands, their elbows and their backs with a pained look on their face. Those same commercials tell those of us with pain in our joints to take aspirin, or other things like chondroitin and glucosamine. Sure, those pills may reduce the pain for a little while, but the big question is, why does it hurt and can it be fixed?
The most common form of arthritis is osteoarthritis (ah-ste-o-arth-ri-tis). Osteoarthritis occurs when the cartilage in your joints wears down over time. This pain and tenderness can come from many reasons. It may not even be clear what causes osteoarthritis in some cases. Many times it is a combination of factors, including being overweight, the aging process, joint injury, heredity, and muscle weakness.
Not everyone gets osteoarthritis and not all joint pain is caused by osteoarthritis.
When some actually has this degenerative joint disease, it is painful because the cartilage, or padding between the bones in your joints, actually wears away until bones are rubbing against each other. Aspirin helps because it reduces the swelling and pain that results from osteoarthritis. Chondroitin and glucosamine help because they aid in the natural lubrication of our joints.
Osteoarthritis can affect any joint in your body, though it most commonly affects joints in your hands, hips, knees and spine. The problem is, osteoarthritis gradually worsens with time, and no cure exists.
Fortunately, there are treatments for osteoarthritis that can relieve pain and help you remain active. Gaining control over the pain caused by osteoarthritis is the goal for osteoarthritis sufferers.
Osteoarthritis typically occurs in older adults. People under 40 rarely experience osteoarthritis.
For reasons that are not clear, women are more likely to develop osteoarthritis.
Some people are born with malformed joints or defective cartilage, which can increase the risk of osteoarthritis.
Injuries, such as those that occur when playing sports or from an accident, may increase the risk of osteoarthritis.
Carrying more body weight places stress on your weight-bearing joints, such as your knees. Also for reasons that are not clear, obesity has also been linked to an increased risk of osteoarthritis in the hands.
Other types of bone and joint diseases can increase the risk of osteoarthritis. These types of bone and joint disease include gout, rheumatoid arthritis, Paget's disease, and septic arthritis.
As many as a third of people with osteoarthritis will eventually experience significant disability. Joint pain and stiffness may become severe enough to make getting through the day difficult, if not impossible. Some people are no longer able to work. When joint pain is this severe, doctors typically suggest joint replacement surgery. For those who aren't able to undergo surgery, pain medications or other devices can make daily tasks more manageable.
The most common form of arthritis is osteoarthritis (ah-ste-o-arth-ri-tis). Osteoarthritis occurs when the cartilage in your joints wears down over time. This pain and tenderness can come from many reasons. It may not even be clear what causes osteoarthritis in some cases. Many times it is a combination of factors, including being overweight, the aging process, joint injury, heredity, and muscle weakness.
Not everyone gets osteoarthritis and not all joint pain is caused by osteoarthritis.
When some actually has this degenerative joint disease, it is painful because the cartilage, or padding between the bones in your joints, actually wears away until bones are rubbing against each other. Aspirin helps because it reduces the swelling and pain that results from osteoarthritis. Chondroitin and glucosamine help because they aid in the natural lubrication of our joints.
Osteoarthritis can affect any joint in your body, though it most commonly affects joints in your hands, hips, knees and spine. The problem is, osteoarthritis gradually worsens with time, and no cure exists.
Fortunately, there are treatments for osteoarthritis that can relieve pain and help you remain active. Gaining control over the pain caused by osteoarthritis is the goal for osteoarthritis sufferers.
Osteoarthritis typically occurs in older adults. People under 40 rarely experience osteoarthritis.
For reasons that are not clear, women are more likely to develop osteoarthritis.
Some people are born with malformed joints or defective cartilage, which can increase the risk of osteoarthritis.
Injuries, such as those that occur when playing sports or from an accident, may increase the risk of osteoarthritis.
Carrying more body weight places stress on your weight-bearing joints, such as your knees. Also for reasons that are not clear, obesity has also been linked to an increased risk of osteoarthritis in the hands.
Other types of bone and joint diseases can increase the risk of osteoarthritis. These types of bone and joint disease include gout, rheumatoid arthritis, Paget's disease, and septic arthritis.
As many as a third of people with osteoarthritis will eventually experience significant disability. Joint pain and stiffness may become severe enough to make getting through the day difficult, if not impossible. Some people are no longer able to work. When joint pain is this severe, doctors typically suggest joint replacement surgery. For those who aren't able to undergo surgery, pain medications or other devices can make daily tasks more manageable.