Osteoarthritis is one of the most common long-lasting joint issues that affect millions of people.
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Should I See A Health Care Provider?
Every year more than 10 million people are affected by this condition.
What is Osteoarthritis
We all know that joint forms when two bones in the body connect together. Between the two bones, there is a protective tissue which is known as cartilage. When Osteoarthritis occurs the cartilage between the bones breaks down and this causes the two bones to rub against each other which causes a lot of stiffness, pain, and many other symptoms as well.
Symptoms of Osteoarthritis
- Less Flexible – If a person is not able to move his joints like he or she used to do earlier or more freely then it could be a symptom of osteoarthritis
- Muscles Stiffness – Muscle stiffness could be observed due to being physically inactive or when you wake up in the morning after your sleep.
- Grating sensation – An individual might feel cracking or popping of the joints when he or she stretches a lot.
- Swelling – This is mostly caused due to the soft tissue which gets inflamed around the joints of your body.
- Bone Deformity – Many times a person is born with some bone deformity. Such people are prone to osteoarthritis more easily than normal people.
- Pain – An individual might experience pain while they try to do any physical activities, pain is mostly found in the joints of hands and legs.
- Bone Spurs – You might feel hard lumps which are caused due to extra bits of bone near the affected joint.
Causes of Osteoarthritis
- Old Age – The main reason for Osteoarthritis is old age. During old age your bones become weak and with time the cartilage between the bones gets weakened out. Osteoarthritis is mostly observed in old people and people who are above 50 years of age. Around 80% of the cases of this bone joint issue is found in old peoples.
- Physical damage – Many a times due to physical factors like falling down or lifting high amounts of weight buts a lot of wear and tear on the muscles and the cartilage between the bones. This physical damage over time may lead to osteoarthritis and is not easily detected in young people.
- Lack of Exercise – Many a times young people do not care enough for their bodies and the lack of movement ma also cause stiffness in your joints. People who work at desk job are advised to take a 10 min beak every 30 mins so as to stretch their muscles and joints. People should walk short distances as this will cause all their muscles to move in unison and keep a person fit as well.
- Dislocated Joints – People often dislocate their joints either due to some physical injury or while playing or in their sleep as well. Dislocated joints are one of the major causes of osteoarthritis in people. If a person has a dislocated joints it is highly advisable to visit a doctor after the joint gets well to see if there are any cracks or breaks in the bones.
Diagnosis for Osteoarthritis
If you experience any pain in your body you should rush to your doctor or a health care professional. Mostly the doctor will ask for an X-ray which will easily tell if there are any wear and tear of the bones due to some physical injury or not.
Sometimes the doctor might also ask for an MRI to check in more detail to check for cracks in the bones which are not easily detectable from X-ray. In the advanced stages, the doctor also requests a blood test so as to determine which medicines to prescribe and to see if there are any other complexities as well.
Treatment for Osteoarthritis
Many times doctors ask you for home-based treatment like exercising and weight loss. Losing weight will lower the stress on your bones to carry the body weight and make them more relaxed and exercising will keep you fit and move your muscles so that they are not stiff. There are various medications as well for advanced stages which are prescribed as the last resort.
Many times doctors ask you for home-based treatment like exercising and weight loss. Losing weight will lower the stress on your bones to carry the body weight and make them more relaxed and exercising will keep you fit and move your muscles so that they are not stiff. There are various medications as well for advanced stages which are prescribed as the last resort.
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