Osteoarthritis

Contrary to popular belief, arthritis isn’t just an “old folks” disease.  While it’s more common in elderly people, it’s a disease that affects people of various ages and backgrounds. 

Recent statistics show that millions of Americans suffer from this painful disease.  The most common type of this joint pain illness is called osteoarthritis.

Osteoarthritis is often referred to as degenerative joint disease.  It occurs when your cartilage in your joints begins to deteriorate.  What does osteoarthritis mean to a patient?  It means not only pain, but it means restricted movement in your hips, knees, feet, and back as well as your hands and fingers.

Your bones are encompassed by cartilage.  Osteoarthritis comes into play because there is friction around the bones.  When bone spurs called “osteophytes” develop, an osteoarthritis patient begins to experience more and more pain.  They are also afflicted with mobility problems. 

If you suffer from osteoarthritis, you’re not alone.  In fact, it is the single most common of all joint diseases.  Recent statistics show that about thirty million people in the United States alone suffer from this disease.  For this reason, it’s understandable why so much research is done each year as doctors search for the best treatment options that will enable patients to normal, fulfilled lives.

Although osteoarthritis is more common in people who are middle-aged or elderly, it also affects younger people.  There is no way to ensure that you won’t suffer from this disease since it is primarily caused by the unavoidable process of aging.  It’s important to note, however, that you can do things to lower your chances of contracting osteoarthritis. 

Lifestyle choices that will lower your risk of osteoarthritis are things like eating healthier so that you will maintain the proper weight for your body structure.  People who are overweight are more prone to develop the disease because of added stress to the joints.   You also want to avoid jobs or activities that cause constant heavy lifting or other stresses.  These can cause unnecessary strain on your joints, a contributing factor to developing osteoarthritis.  Regular exercise of the joints and muscles can also lower your chances of contracting osteoarthritis.