Arthritis Information
What is Osteoarthritis?
One of the most common forms of arthritis is osteoarthritis. Rheumatoid arthritis is a very distant second place. Another name for osteoarthritis is degenerative joint disease. When most people speak of arthritis, they are usually referring to osteoarthritis. Although it can strike at any age, it usually is seen more in middle aged and older people.
Does arthritis have a cure?
Right now there is no cure for arthritis. However, the symptoms of it can be minimized.
How does arthritis cause pain?
Joints are made up of bones with a variety of socket types which link bones to each other. Oftentimes they simply slide across one another. Others, such as the hip joint, are composed of a ball and joint. In these sockets there is a protective coating between the bones called cartilage. It is slippery and lubricates the joint. The cartilage prevents the two bones from rubbing painfully against each other. People with osteoarthritis are experiencing a breakdown of their cartilage. This results in the painful rubbing together of bones.
What is the result of this cartilage breakdown?
When the bones rub together, pain immediately results. There can also be swelling and mobility loss. If this condition continues, the bone ends may actually change their shape resulting in deformities. Small growths called bone spurs can also appear on the bones. Small pieces of cartilage may even break off and "float" in the joint causing more pain and swelling. Sometimes one can even hear the bones rubbing together. Osteoarthritis is one of the worst forms of arthritis since it has a continuous effect on the joints.
What are the signs of osteoarthritis?
A doctor is required to make a correct diagnosis of osteoarthritis. Some signs you may have osteoarthritis can be pain in the load bearing joints of the knees and hips, painful movement, swelling joints, or pain in joints during heavy lifting or strenuous exercise. X-rays will confirm a diagnosis of osteoarthritis. Most people who are over 60 years of age will show signs of osteoarthritis arthritis in x-rays. One third of people over 60 will have actual symptoms.
Who is at most risk for osteoarthritis?
People 45 and over are at the greatest risk for developing osteoarthritis. Women are more likely to develop osteoarthritis than men.
Living with osteoarthritis
Even though there is no cure for osteoarthritis, there are drugs and treatments available to ease the pain. Unfortunately, most of the arthritis drugs available have dangerous side effects. Anyone diagnosed with osteoarthritis should first try liquid glucosamine. Although it is not a treatment for arthritis, it has been shown in many studies to ease joint pain and actually rebuild damaged cartilage. Flexicose glucosamine is one of the leading brands of liquid glucosamine and contains 1500 mg of liquid glucosamine in each quarter ounce serving. Liquid glucosamine is currently recommended by many doctors as the first choice in fighting osteoarthritis.
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