Causes and Treatment Options for Osteoarthritis - Diseases and Conditions Article

By:James Hunt

Osteoarthritis (OA) is a degenerative joint disease. It is one of the oldest and most commonly known types of arthritis. When a person suffers from OA there is a breakdown of the joint’s cartilage. Since cartilage itself is there to act as a cushion between the bones, when this breakdown and wears away the bones will begin rubbing together and this can cause some serious pain as well as limitations in movement and in some cases loss of movement completely.

What Causes Osteoartritis?

There are many factors affecting the onset of osteoarthritis. Since it is more commonly found in middle to older aged people, medical professionals had made the mistake of thinking that age was a contributing factor. However, research has shown that age is not a leading factor to the onset of Osteoarthritis. However, doctors and medical professionals have found that being overweight does have some effect. When a person is overweight or obese, they are more likely to experience some pain in the knees and in most cases will develop OA in these areas. People who have experienced some kind of injury in the joints, either due to playing sports or through work are more likely to develop OA.

There have been incidences of OA in people who have been born with some kind of genetic condition that affects the joints in some way. OA is most commonly found in the hands.

Treatment Options

Exercises to keep joints flexible and improve muscle strength

Many different medications are used to control pain, including corticosteroids and NSAIDs. Glucocorticoids injected into joints that are inflamed and not responsive to NSAIDS. For mild pain without inflammation, acetaminophen may be used.

Heat/cold therapy for temporary pain relief

Joint protection to prevent strain or stress on painful joints

Surgery (sometimes) to relieve chronic pain in damaged joints

Digg del.icio.us Blink Stumble Spurl Reddit Netscape Furl

Article keywords: muscle, arthritis, medical, exercises, joints

Article Source: http://www.articles2k.com

James Hunt has spent 15 years as a professional writer and researcher covering stories that cover a whole spectrum of interest.
Read more at www.osteoarthritis-central.info

Top Diseases and Conditions Articles
1). Acid Reflux: What You Really Need To Know. By : Tyson J Stevenson The formation of gases and acidic substances in the stomach and its backing up into the esophagus causes severe pain or burning sensation in the stomach and chest area that is clinically known as Acid Reflux or Gastroespohageal Reflux Disease.
2). Alcoholism— What Should I Know About It? By : Geoff Hugh What is alcoholism? Alcoholism is a disease that affects the part of the brain that controls your feelings, the way you make decisions, and the way you act. People with alcoholism cannot control how much they drink. What causes alcoholism? Nobody knows what causes alcoholism. People with parents who have alcoholism have a greater chance of getting the disease.
3). What is Anorexia By : Keith George Self induced emotional eating disorder characterized by persistent loss of appetite is called anorexia. Excessive consciousness toward weight loss, counting calories and excessive exercises can lead to a severe emotional eating disorder called anorexia.
4). Alcoholism Disease Or Not? By : The Source Alcoholism can be given a lot of definitions and all of them stress the fact that there is a terrible disease that involves addiction to spirits. Apart from the physical dependence on alcohol, there are other psychological, genetic and social factors that may play a role in the development of alcoholism. Many social, economic and public health problems are determined by this very serious disease.
5). Hangovers and How to Deal With Them, By : Partybody A health related article that explains hangovers and how to help prevent and cure them.
6). Gastritis Is More Than Indigestion By : Kevin Pederson It is the inflammation of the stomach getting the defense system on roll. It would mean that the stomach is injured and the white blood cells move on the walls of the stomach for help. The inflammation can be caused due to an infection caused by bacterium which can lead to stomach ulcers. Any other injury can also cause such problems.
7). The Demonization Of Genital Herpes By : Christopher Scipio Those of us who have so-called “genital herpes” are caught between a rock and a hard place. On one hand we are ostracized by the minority of the population (about 40%) who don’t currently have herpes simplex in their body, which is bad enough, but more cruelly we are often isolated by our fellow members of the herpes community who have so-called cold sores (heroes simplex 1 of the mouth and face).
8). I am a mouth ulcers By : Ryan Fyfe Although it's not my favorite thing to be in the world, I am a mouth ulcer. My street name is most commonly: canker sore. I've got a fancy name, and that involves painful open sores that will exist in your mouth when the mucous membrane breaks. You might also choose to call me one of these other names: aphthous stomatitis or aphthous ulcer. Now that we have that out of the way.
9). Gall Bladder - A Place For Gallstones By : Kevin Pederson It is a pouch-shaped organ which is an important part of our body and lies next to the liver. It accepts the bile from the liver which is being stored to help digestion.
10). HPV Virus By : Ryan Fyfe Human Papilloma Ciruses (HPV) is a virus that infects humans. Some of the effects of the virus are associated with sexually transmitted diseases (STD's). Over one hundred strains of the virus have been identified by Scientists. Most of these strains are harmless. Some of these strains can produce common skin warts which appear on the hands and feet.

New Diseases and Conditions Articles
1). 5 Easy Tips To Protect Yourself Against Dry Skin By : Joshua Poyoh Our skin can become dry for various reasons. Just following these 5 tips can help you withstand the winter unharmed, and without the cracked, chafed, itchy dry skin that is typical of the season.
2). Yeast Infections: Symptoms & Treatments By : Munya Chinongoza A yeast infection is an infection that is very common. Most people associate a yeast infection with women, but in fact it is common in both men and women alike.
3). Treating Back Pain Effectively By : Darrell Knox So what are the causes of back pain? Back Pain can result in many ways. The following are some of the reasons why back pain occurs.
4). Understanding Coeliac Disease By : Anne Wolski Coeliac disease is a genetic condition that is caused by an inability to digest gluten. Hence the reason that this disease is also known as gluten intolerance.
5). Uncovering The Relationship Between Asthma And Allergies By : David Silva You often hear the terms "asthma" and "allergies" lumped together. But do you know why?
6). Home Remedies For Breast Tenderness By : Kevin Pederson A problem like breast tenderness may arise due to combination of factors like diet, nutrition, water, weight, age, menstrual cycle and fluctuating hormones. Studies conclude nearly three in four women suffer this discomfort at least once in their mature life.
7). Which Is The Number 1 Killer: Cardiovascular Or Heart Disease? By : Joann Cheong Cardiovascular or heart disease is caused by the damaged arteries leading to the heart obstructing the flow of blood that supplies oxygen and other nutrients to the different parts of our body...
8). Alzheimer’s Disease: What Every Family Needs to Know By : Douglas Hardwick Alzheimer’s disease touches the lives of millions of Americans. Today, some 4.5 million Americans suffer from Alzheimer’s, and 1 in 10 families have a loved one afflicted with it. With no cure in sight, it is important for families to arm themselves with information about this devastating disease.
9). Could You Have Asthma? By : Eddy Kong This article explained how to know whether this person could have asthma.
10). Breathe Again With Good Asthma Management Practice By : Dean Caporella Unless you understand the varying degrees of asthma attack then any management plan you have set for yourself can be futile.