| For many, when the term Arthritis is used, they think of | | | | eliminate the other more common types of arthritis, |
| it as only a single disease, but there are in reality over | | | | which is referred to as the process of diagnosis by |
| 100 different kinds of arthritis. Even though there are a | | | | elimination. |
| lot of different kinds of arthritis, 10% of these make up | | | | One of the most common symptoms of osteoarthritis |
| most of all diagnosed cases. The most common kind | | | | is joint pain in the morning, which goes away after a |
| of arthritis is osteoarthritis. | | | | short period of time, only to return much worse at |
| Arthritis, which is an inflammatory joint disease, can be | | | | night. It is also common for the joint pain to be |
| very painful and osteoarthritis is no exception. | | | | accompanied by joint stiffness. Physical activities or |
| Osteoarthritis, which is more common among elders, | | | | remaining immobile can also bring about joint |
| develops when cartilage in the joint begins to break | | | | discomfort and stiffness. An overall limited range of |
| down. | | | | movement and reduced mobility are also common. In |
| Cartilage is a sort of padding that is found in between | | | | addition to joint discomfort, crepitus, which is a crackling |
| our joints and prevents our bones from rubbing directly | | | | noise, often is found among those who suffer from |
| together. In osteoarthritis, this cartilage wears down or | | | | osteoarthritis. |
| deteriorates, which results in the bones rubbing | | | | There are a number of factors that can increase the |
| together. Sometimes, small bone shards will break off | | | | risk of osteoarthritis developing, with age being one of |
| as the bones rub together, which can be very painful. It | | | | the main risk factors. However, gender, family lines, |
| is also common for bone growths, named | | | | obesity, and certain lines of work can also increase the |
| osteophytes, to begin to appear. In many cases, the | | | | risk of osteoarthritis. While females are more likely to |
| inflammation caused by osteoarthritis will actually result | | | | develop osteoarthritis, among people less than 55 |
| in the more rapid destruction of the cartilage. | | | | years in age, osteoarthritis is actually more common |
| Even though osteoarthritis is more common among the | | | | among men. |
| elderly, it can be found in people of any age. However, | | | | If the osteoarthritis is diagnosed in time, it can be |
| it is estimated that if an X-ray was taken of every | | | | treated and the effects limited, however there is no |
| person over the age of 70, approximately 70% would | | | | cure for osteoarthritis. Common treatment involves |
| show signs of osteoarthritis. However, even though | | | | increased low impact exercise, a healthy diet, and |
| many older adults have osteoarthritis, the symptoms | | | | weight control. There are also a number of |
| are not always present. | | | | medications available that can treat osteoarthritis. The |
| Usually, an X-ray is used to diagnose osteoarthritis, in | | | | main goal of this treatment is to maintain the level of |
| combination with the onset of osteoarthritis symptoms. | | | | mobility that the individual currently has, with hopes that |
| It is also common for a doctor to preform tests to | | | | this mobility can be increased. |