How to Properly Treat Osteoarthritis

Osteoarthritis, also known as degenerative joint disease, is the most common form of arthritis and referred to as the aging disease. Osteoarthritis occurs when your joints wear down as you grow older. Osteoarthritis gets worse with time and there is no known cure. Arthritis cures and treatments will help the pain and help you to remain active.

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

1. Involved joints
   
   The most common joints affected are your hands, knees, hips and spine, although it can occur in any joint in your body. Osteoarthritis breaks down the cartilage in the joints, and when you lose it, the bones will rub together. Over time, the rubbing will permanently damage your joints and you get pain, swelling and inflammation.

2. Causes of osteoarthritis
   
   The older you are, the more activities you have used on your joints, and therefore you are more prone to developing osteoarthritis. Bone deformities that happen at birth are more likely a factor for developing osteoarthritis. Joint injuries such as playing sports or from a car accident will put you at higher risk, as well as obesity, since it puts a lot of wear and tear on joints. Heredity or genetics can also play an important role in developing osteoarthritis. Furthermore, certain diseases can cause this, such as gout, rheumatoid arthritis or septic arthritis in children.

3. Symptoms of osteoarthritis
   
   Osteoarthritis Symptoms gradually develop over time and they include joint pain, especially during movement, warmth, redness and tenderness in the area in question. Stiffness in fingers, arms, legs and wrists may be more noticeable in the morning before you get out of bed or after long periods of being somewhat active, such as working in front of a computer all day.

4. Treatment of osteoarthritis
   
   The goals of osteoarthritis treatment are to control pain and symptoms, improve your ability to maintain daily routine activities, and to slow down the process of the disease. Arthritis treatments help manage joint pain and help you remain active by performing slow, specialized exercising, protecting the joints, controlling your weight, and through medications either prescribed or over-the-counter.

Tips & Warnings

• Apply cream or gels that are available at your local drugstore.
• Maintain good posture and take advice from a physical and or occupational therapist to help you with a specific exercise program and pain management.
• Occupational therapy will help you manage daily activities such as using splints or braces to stabilize your joints and to reduce pain.

[paulo55]

on 11/11/2009 How to Properly Treat Osteoarthritis. Very informative article. Important tips, too!