How to Deal With Osteoarthritis

Osteoarthritis affects 10 to 15% of the population and is more likely to occur in women than in men. Osteoarthritis is inflammation of the joint and causes the breakdown of the cartilage of the joints. Osteoarthritis tends to affect the neck, knees, hips and lower back.

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

1. Call your doctor if you have the following symptoms of osteoarthritis: pain, swelling of a joint, cracking sound of the joint, limited movement of the joint, deformity of the joint. Your doctor will order X-ray and blood tests to confirm the diagnosis of osteoarthritis.

2. Rest 10-12 hours to and avoid activities affect the inflamed joints.

3. Use acetaminophen, aspirin or an anti-inflammatory medication to relieve pain and welling. You can also rub anti-inflammatory cream into the joint.

4. Use ice to massage the joint 3 to 4 times a day.

5. If you are overweight or obese, lose weight to reduce stress on the inflamed joints. All forms of aerobic exercise, including walking, jogging in water, yoga, and Tai Chi, have been shown to decrease pain and joint tenderness and improve functional status.Use a kneepad when kneeling.Do your best to prevent further injuries to the joints.

6. In some severe cases, surgery is necessary to replace the affected joint.

7. Swimming in warm water has been shown to improve joint motility and protects against spreading of osteoarthritis.

Resources

• Osteoarthritis

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