What Is Osteoarthritis And How Is It Treated?
Do you feel pain in your hand or shoulder when lifting a bag? Do you feel pain in your hip when bending down to look for your other brown boot under the bed? If so, you could be suffering from osteoarthritis.
There are so many forms of arthritis, and the most prevalent of them is osteoarthritis. It’s sometimes called OA, osteoarthrosis, and degenerative or wear-and-tear arthritis. While it can strike any joint in your body, it commonly occurs in the hands, spine, hips and knees.
How does this joint disease take place? A cartilage is a connective tissue found where bones form a joint. It provides cushion and lubrication necessary for movements. However, cartilages may get damaged through overuse or as you normally age. Pain and inflammation is present in affected areas of the body. Your movements become limited as well. Aside from overusing a body part and aging, other causative factors include: obesity, injury and even heredity.
As soon as you suspect you’re suffering from it, it’s important that you immediately see your doctor. A physical examination should reveal whether or not you’re afflicted with the disease. Based on the findings, a treatment mode will have to be given, to help deal with the signs and symptoms.
It’s not unlikely for medications to be prescribed. Analgesic has to be taken for pain. While for swelling, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, or NSAIDs, are usually given. For severe cases, there are also medications administered through injection.
As mentioned earlier, obesity can be a causative factor. If such is your case, then it’s important for you to shed off unnecessary pounds. Adapting a particular diet recommended by your doctor will help you lose weight, thus relieving excessive pressure on your joints. Such diet will also exclude foods that may worsen the condition.
A physical or occupational therapist will provide you with some exercise routines. Such routines will help stabilize the muscles around the joints. And at the same time enhancing the flexibility or the affected bone joints. Performing these exercise routines will help you increase your otherwise limited motion.
Glucosamine is a type of protein produced by the body, and is necessary for building and repairing cartilages. But as you age, its production wears down. That’s why taking supplements like Kirkland glucosamine tablets will assist regaining the health of your joints. Omega-3 fatty acids, MSM (methylsulfonylmethane) and chrondroitin are other substances known to be beneficial for the joints.
If your osteoarthritis is mild, the above remedies might help you lead a normal life once more. In no time, you’ll be back doing your usual activities, like playing your ibanez acoustic electric guitar. However, for severe cases, undergoing surgery may be necessary to relieve the pain or damage.
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