{"id":3367,"date":"2019-01-11T08:03:38","date_gmt":"2019-01-11T08:03:38","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/veryhealthy.life\/?p=3367"},"modified":"2021-08-10T05:47:38","modified_gmt":"2021-08-10T05:47:38","slug":"10-important-things-to-know-about-osteoarthritis","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/veryhealthy.life\/10-important-things-to-know-about-osteoarthritis\/","title":{"rendered":"10 Important Things to Know About Osteoarthritis"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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According to data from the CDC, more than 30-million Americans suffer from the degenerative bone disease, osteoarthritis. This condition is the most common form of arthritis and affects joint cartilage. Areas of the skeletal system most at risk from developing osteoarthritis are the knees, hips, and hands.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

This disease is an age-related disease, with over 70-percent of Americans over the age of 60-years having X-ray evidence of the condition. Osteoarthritis thins the cartilage and wears it down causing the development of bone spurs on the edge of the joints. As the disease progresses, affected individuals will begin to experience pain, aching, and stiffness from the affected joint.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Osteoarthritis is typically age-related, but other risk factors play a role in the development of the condition as well. Trauma or injury, genetic predisposition, and overweight or obese individuals are also at risk of early onset of osteoarthritis. Here are 10-things you need to know about the condition.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

1. Osteoarthritis has Two Categories<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

The disease has two specific categories; primary and secondary. The two classifications have similar symptoms <\/a>but differ in the cause of the disease. Both types involve the degeneration of joint cartilage resulting in bones rubbing against one another. The condition creates stiffness and pain in the joints of affected individuals.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Bone spurs, or osteophytes, form around the edges of the joints. In some cases, such as knee osteoarthritis, the Spurs may break away and lodge between bones. This circumstance reduces mobility and locks up the joint.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Primary osteoarthritis is general wear and tear on the joint cartilage that occurs with age. The first symptoms of the disease typically occur between the ages of 55 and 60-years. The disease can be aggressive or mild and affects one or more joints in the skeletal system.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In secondary osteoarthritis, a secondary factor causes the early development of the disease. These factors include;<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u2022 Injury – A car accident, sports injury, or other trauma that damages cartilage.
\u2022 Obesity – Excessive bodyweight places added pressure on the joints leading to premature cartilage wear.
\u2022 Genetics – Individuals with arthritic parents may be more likely to develop early symptoms.
\u2022 Inflammatory disease; Diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis may exacerbate cartilage wear.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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2. The Hips and Knees Are High-Risk Joints for Osteoarthritis<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Study\u2019s reveal that osteoarthritis of the knee affects more than 6-percent of adults over the age of 30-years, and more than 9-percent of adults over the age of 60-years. More than 4-percent of people over the age of 55-years experience symptoms of hip osteoarthritis<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Symptoms of pain from the condition vary from mild to excruciating. Pain symptoms occur from activity such as walking up or downstairs and exacerbated by carrying loads. The pain subsides with rest and individuals may notice pressure and swelling of the joint as synovial fluid builds up to protect the affected area.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Hip osteoarthritis typically occurs after the age of 60-years due to hard labor or excessive body weight. The condition may also develop due to structural imbalances of the hip. People that sit in office chairs for extended periods experience posterior hip dysplasia. This posture issue forces them to favor walking or standing on one side over the other, resulting in wear of hip joint cartilage.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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3. Women Have Higher-Risk of Developing Osteoarthritis<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

According to data from the CDC, women are at higher risk of developing osteoarthritis. Risk factors for women include obesity<\/a>, genetics, hormones, and biology. Over 60-percent of cases occur in women over the age of 55-years. However, men below the age of 55-years report more instances of the disease. After the age of 55-years, the amount of cases diagnosed in women dramatically exceeds those in men.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Joints affected by the disease also tend to vary by gender as well. Women\u2019s hips are biologically designed by evolution to give birth. This fact results in lower body tendons being more elastic than those in men. The tendon elasticity allows the joint greater range of motion and flexibility. Unfortunately, this elasticity also results in less stability. Instability makes the hips and knees of women more prone to injury and the development of osteoarthritis.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The alignment of women’s hips and knees is not as efficient as men. This biological fact results in a higher risk of exposure to injury through an activity that may result in the development of osteoarthritis later in life.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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4. Osteoarthritis-Related Deaths Do Happen<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

People don\u2019t think of osteoarthritis as a condition that results in death. The disabling effects of the disease <\/a>result in a lack of mobility and structural balance. Therefore, around 500-deaths occur annually related to osteoarthritis. A related cause of death includes falls and slips in seniors.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

A fall is a terrifying event for seniors suffering from poor skeletal health as a result of osteoarthritis. A senior may break their hip in the fall are quire hospitalization and surgery. Seniors are sensitive to anesthetic and may pass away during the invasive surgery, particularly hip surgery.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Other causes of death related to osteoarthritis may include organ failure, from the overuse or misuse of NSAIDs. NSAIDs are toxic on the liver and their continual use over decades to treat pain and inflammation can result in liver disease.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Studies also show that knee osteoarthritis has a strong association with the development of the cardiovascular disease. Women experiencing knee pain have almost twice the risk of early death and three times the risk of dying from cardiovascular events such as heart attack.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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5. Osteoarthritis has Modifiable Risk Factors<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

It\u2019s possible to modify certain risk factors that lead to the development of osteoarthritis. Here are four ways individuals can adjust their behavior and habits to reduce the onset and intensity of the disease.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Eat Healthy Foods<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

Increase your consumption of foods high in calcium, Vitamin D<\/a>, and Omega-3 EFA\u2019s. These minerals and vitamins promote skeletal health and reduce inflammation. Purchase supplements with these three vitamins and minerals and add them to your diet.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Get Regular Exercise<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

Bone and muscle gain strength and density from exercise. For best results try a form of exercise that provides resistance. Walking upstairs or lifting weights at the gym will help to improve the health of your skeletal system.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Test Bone Density<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

Visit your physician for a bone mineral density test. This test is vital for anyone using steroidal anti-inflammatories as these compounds can dramatically reduce bone density after 2-months of continuous use.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Quit Smoking<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

Smoking reduces bone density and thins cartilage. Speak to your doctor about a smoking cessation program.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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6. Genetics Play a Role in the Development of Osteoarthritis<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Research suggests that up to 35-percent of cases of knee osteoarthritis, and up to 50-percent of cases of hip and hand osteoarthritis, may result from a genetic predisposition to the disease. Scientists analyzed genetic markers in over 30,000 people affected by osteoarthritis. They then compared them with those from 300,000 healthy individuals.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The study revealed nine genes that play a role in the development of osteoarthritis<\/a>. They then studied the purpose of these genes in the growth of bone and cartilage. After this, they identified five of the nine genes as potential targets for further study into the development of the disease.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Further research indicates that type-2 diabetes and high cholesterol do not have any supporting evidence to prove genetic predisposition to osteoarthritis. However, obese individuals do exhibit a genetic susceptibility to the disease.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Research also suggests that there is a hereditary risk of developing osteoarthritis, particularly in women. Women whose mothers suffer from the disease may find that they incur the condition in the same joints, and at the same life stage, as their mothers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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7. 70% of Seniors have X-Ray Evidence of Osteoarthritis.<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

More than 70-percent of people over the age of 70-years develop osteoarthritis. However, only half of the individuals with X-ray evidence of the disease experience pain symptoms<\/a>. As people age, it’s typical for doctors to order X-rays to check for evidence of osteoarthritis. Specific X-ray tests assist physicians in diagnosing the condition. X-ray findings that lead to the formulation of a diagnosis of the disease include the following.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Narrowing of Joint Spaces<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

Osteoarthritis deteriorates joints by wearing away articular cartilage. This effect results in a contraction of the joint space.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Osteophytes<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

These bone spurs appear on the edges of joints and in-between joint spaces. Spurs create pain and joint locking. Osteophytes are visible on X-rays.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Subchondral Sclerosis<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

The layer of subchondral bone below the cartilage experiences hardening known as sclerosis. This effect appears on an X-ray as an increase in bone density.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Subluxation<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

This partial dislocation of bone is a possible result of the development of osteoarthritis.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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8. Osteoarthritis Symptoms Limit Quality of Life<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

While not as debilitating as rheumatoid arthritis, osteoarthritis induces pain and reduces mobility, making it a concerning disease.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The pain <\/a>and stiffness associated with osteoarthritis produce a variety of physical and psychological effects that progress over time and diminish an individual\u2019s social behavior.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Initially, affected individuals will only experience slight pain after intense physical activity, such as exercise. This pain becomes more constant and appears in other events, such as walking upstairs. Eventually, the condition presents consistent background pain that leads to the avoidance of social activities altogether.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Knee pain from osteoarthritis may cause individuals to favor walking or leaning on one side of the body over the other. This behavior will gradually result in structural imbalance and the development of osteoarthritis in the hip. People with hip pain may lie on the unaffected side to avoid aggravating pain symptoms and suffer from sleep disturbance.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

More than half of individuals with osteoarthritis use some form of supportive aid to improve mobility. People suffering from the disease may also be inclined to avoid stairs and other strenuous mobility activities.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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9. Osteoarthritis is the most Prevalent Form of Arthritis<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Based on 2005 data from the CDC, more than 25-million Americans suffer from osteoarthritis. The disease affects over 13-percent of adults above the age of 25-years, and more than 33-percent of people older than 65-years of age.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

While osteoarthritis is an aging-related condition, young people develop the disease due to secondary risk factors. These factors include injury to joints, genetic defects, or joint malformation. Individuals with physically stressful jobs, or who are overweight <\/a>or obese are at highest risk of developing the condition as they age.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Osteoarthritis affects both men and women, with women at the highest risk. Women over the age of 45-years are the largest demographic for the development of the disease. As the population ages, more cases of osteoarthritis are expected to emerge. The CDC estimates that over 72-million Americans, or 20-percent of the population, will develop osteoarthritis by 2030.
As sedentary lifestyles increase, experts suggest that the increase in inactivity in young people will begin to play a role in the onset of the condition. A lack of activity diminishes bone density and exposes the hips to osteoarthritis.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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10. There is No Cure for Osteoarthritis<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Osteoarthritis is a chronic condition. Unfortunately, this means that there is no cure for the disease. Affected individuals have to learn to manage the symptoms while doing all they can to slow its progression. Long-term management strategies include;<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u2022 Strategies to improve mobility and flexibility.
\u2022 Management of pain symptoms as they emerge.
\u2022 The maintenance of a healthy body weight range.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Exercise plays a significant role in managing the progression of the disease. Strengthening muscles <\/a>and ligaments around the joint will relieve pressure and slow the advancement of the condition. Effective exercise strategies depend on the age and physical capabilities of the affected individual.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Overweight or obese individuals will need to get their body weight down to a healthy range to prevent excessive pressure and wear on the joints. These individuals may benefit from seeking guidance from a nutritionist to manage their calorie intake.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Medications for pain management include corticosteroids, NSAIDs, painkillers, and hyaluronic acid. Medical professionals must provide guidelines to patients for the administration of these compounds.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\r\n

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