Osteoarthritis -- How is it Affecting the Aging US Population?
Rheumatoid ArthritisA shooting pain in the knee. A burning sensation in the hand. Before you know it, you have rheumatoid arthritis. ..... As the "baby boomer generation" ages, doctors predict there will
be a staggering growth in the cases of Osteoarthritis (OA).
Although OA affects the quality of life for many people as they
age, few people are familiar with the term Osteoarthritis.
Osteoarthritis is one of the most common forms of arthritis. It
is one of the main causes of disability in older adults.
OA's impact and toll on the US health care system is immense.
Until the 1980s, OA was considered a progressive degenerative
disorder. It was considered one of the inevitable results of
age.
Back in the 80s it was assumed that Osteoarthritis developed
because of the long time normal wear and tear of joints. This
was viewed as naturally occurring with age.
However, new research has altered this perception to a large
extent. Research shows that there may be other factors
associated with OA.
-- Major Factors of Osteoarthritis --
- Water Retention - Heredity - Obesity
One of the major symptoms of this disease is the swelling of the
joints due to result of water retention. The cartilage in your
joints may retain water. This brings about changes in the bone
underlying the cartilage (called the subchondral bone).
This is especially noticeable the joints which bear the weight
of the body, for example knees and hips. OA results from an
inflammation of the joints; this is also called joint
incongruity.
This is a particularly painful condition which hampers the
movement of the afflicted joint to a large extent. Physicians
predict a very strong connection between OA and heredity.
Obesity is another major risk factor which contributes to this
disorder. This is because the weight bearing joints (knees,
hips) of an overweight person would have to function under
greater pressure.
As the body grows older, the cartilage component of our skeletal
framework gradually loses its ability to repair itself. Thus, OA
has come to be largely associated with aging. Some scientists
predict that nutrition (or lack of it) may also be a
contributing factor. Supplements like Phosoplex is gaining
popularity with helping to offset this condition.
Minerals like calcium and vitamins like C and D are essential to
the formation of strong bones. New research is being conducted
to find out whether a lack of these elements can contribute to
the development of OA as the person grows older.
Some genetic and heredity conditions relating to the skeletal
framework may also play role in the onset of OA -- bone
dysplasias and charcot joints. Some physicians also point
towards the Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome.
If an injured joint has not been properly aligned, the risk of
OA increases for that particular joint. There are a couple of
occupational factors too which contribute to OA.
Any joint, which is being repetitively used or overworked, is
susceptible to OA disease. This is because these tasks also over
tax the muscles.
Overtaxing a particular muscle which protects a joint also
increases the risk of OA.
Pain is one of the primary symptoms of this disease. The
frequency and level of this pain may increase over a period of
months, even years.
While it impairs free movement, the condition might also worsen
with enforced activity. Doctors strongly advise rest in such
cases as the pain usually subsides after a period of inactivity.
OA symptoms also include certain stiffness in the joints in the
mornings. However, it does not usually last for more than half
an hour. The joint will also feel stiff after a long period of
rest but this stiffness would most likely go away after a few
minutes.
Exercises, like weight lifting and that intent on strengthening
the muscles will also help. Treatment with drugs can only help
to relieve the pain. You might also want to apply cold packs to
the inflamed joint. Surgery is absolutely the last resort. It
includes options like partial or complete joint replacement -
these are relatively safe procedures.
The implications of this disease on the ageing US population are
quite immense. It was predicted that on the year 2003, almost 70
million Americans suffered from OA and other related disorders.
This number is expected to drastically go up as the 'baby
boomer' generation grows older annually. OA has been the cause
of 32 million physician visits and has resulted on the
hospitalization of over 2.3 million patients.
There isn't any universal cure for Osteoarthritis. However
proper supplementation provides a ray of hope in the care of OA.
Natural products such as Phosoplex™ available from Amazon or
from www.BODeStore.com , can actually help to support healthy
cartilage, relieve pain and provide lubrication to your joints.
Kamau Austin is a health and fitness enthusiast and advocate. He
writes on a regular basis on timeless health and fitness tips at
the Fit After Forty Blog. See more useful health and fitness
news and tips at...
http://www.healthandfitnessvitality.com/blogs/fitnessblog.htm
About the author:
Kamau Austin is Owner of AMS Publishing and is a business and
fitness wellness advocate. See more of his health and fitness
tips at www.HealthandFitnessVitality.com or get Internet
marketing solutions at www.SearchEnginePlan.com
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