Osteoarthritis (OA) is a type of joint disease that results from breakdown of joint cartilage and underlying bone. It is also known as degenerative arthritis or osteoarthrosis. Osteoarthritis is the most common form of arthritis, affecting millions of people worldwide. It is mainly caused by aging joints, injury, and obesity. The most commonly involved joints are those near the ends of the fingers, at the base of the thumb, neck, lower back, knees, and hips. The most common symptoms are joint pain and stiffness. OA is the most common cause of a joint effusion of the knee.
Risk Factors
1. Older age : The risk of osteoarthritis increases with age.
2. Obesity : Carrying extra body weight contributes to osteoarthritis in several ways. It puts added stress on weight-bearing joints, such as your hips and knees.
3. Sex : Women are more likely to develop osteoarthritis, though it isn't clear why.
4. Joint injuries : Injuries, such as those that occur when playing sports or from an accident, may increase the risk of osteoarthritis.
5. Genetics : Some people inherit a tendency to develop osteoarthritis.
6. Bone deformities : Some people are born with malformed joints or defective cartilage, which can increase the risk of osteoarthritis.
7. Others :
- Diabetes
- Inflammatory diseases
- Alkaptonuria
- Marfan syndrome
- Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome
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The main sign and symptoms of OA are as follows :
1. Joint pain and stiffness
2. Knobby swelling at the joint
3. Cracking or grinding noise with joint movement
4. Decreased function of the joint
5. Some people report increased pain associated with cold temperature, high humidity
6. OA at the toes leads to the formation of bunions, rendering them red or swollen.
Diagnosis
During the physical exam, your doctor will closely examine your affected joint, checking for tenderness, swelling or redness, and for range of motion in the joint. Your doctor may also recommend imaging and lab tests.
1. X-ray of affected area.
2. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)
3. Blood tests
4. Joint fluid analysis
Treatment
1. Lifestyle modification :
- Weight loss
- Exercise
- Massage therapy
- Diet
2. Medication :
- Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) i.e. Acetaminophen
- Joint injections of glucocorticoids (such as hydrocortisone)
- Lubrication injections : Injections of hyaluronic acid may offer pain relief by providing some cushioning in your knee. Hyaluronic acid is similar to a component normally found in your joint fluid.
3. Surgery :
- Joint Replacement Surgery
- Osteotomy : he surgeon cuts across the bone either above or below the knee to realign the leg. Osteotomy can reduce knee pain by shifting your body weight away from the worn-out part of your knee.
4. Supplements :
Many over-the-counter nutrition supplements have been used for osteoarthritis treatment. Most lack good research data to support their effectiveness and safety. Among the most widely used are calcium, vitamin D and omega-3 fatty acids. To ensure safety and avoid drug interactions, consult your doctor or pharmacist before using any of these supplements. This is especially true when you are combining these supplements with prescribed drugs.
References
1. WIKIPEDIA : https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Osteoarthritis
2. MAYOCLINIC : http://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/osteoarthritis/basics/treatment/con-20014749
3. American College of Rheumatology : http://www.rheumatology.org/I-Am-A/Patient-Caregiver/Diseases-Conditions/Osteoarthritis
4. WebMD : http://www.webmd.com/osteoarthritis/guide/osteoarthritis-symptoms-types
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I was able to overcome senile dementia via a complete naturopathic process.
ReplyDeleteAbout two years ago, when I was 56, I started feeling foggy and had occasional memory lapses. My wife, Mary, started to notice it, too, but I also have hearing issues so she thought that was the problem. My memory problems worsened very gradually over the years, and we lived with it, compensating as needed. I became less social. After some months thereafter, it got to the point where we couldn’t keep making excuses or ignoring it. I had gone from executing our grocery shopping without a list to going with a list, to having the list but not buying what was on it.
Mary went online to do some study, and it was during this procedure we had been fortunate enough to come across Dr. Utu Herbal Cure: an African herbalist and witch doctor whose professional works had majored on the eradication of certain viral conditions, especially dementia, ( improving the memory capacity positively), via a traditional, naturopathic process and distinguished diet plan. It was by the administration of this herbal specialist that I had been able to improve my condition for better. So to say, the encounter with the above-mentioned herbal practitioner was the first time we ever heard there was something that possibly can be done to improve my memory functionality.
By the existence of such an encounter, I was able to learn of the new approach by which this herbalist successfully treated dementia conditions, which included a distinguished herbal therapy and lifestyle changes of which I had undergone to a tremendous, positive effect.
It was after the completion of the herbal therapy I had started to experience a great deal of cognitive improvement when it came to rational decision making.
In brief, I was able to go through the dreadful hollows of senile dementia without any further hazardous damage to my health condition, and within a short period. Had it not been for the support of my wife, of whom had encouraged me to undergo the above-mentioned therapy and that of the herbal practitioner of whom now happens to be benefactor - I would have been long exposed to the further perils of this condition and of which had been apt to result to a calamitous end.
I would also wish for the same positiveness upon patients who may happen to be suffering from this debilitating disease, and would warmly beseech them to find a confidant like this herbal specialist with whose professional services I was able to attain a divine recovery.
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