?Do you suffer from Osteoarthritis? Here?s how to tell!?

The most common type of arthritis is osteoarthritis (OA). This type of arthritis is commonly referred to as wear and tear arthritis or degenerative arthritis."

While this condition probably begins in the early teen years, it does not become symptomatic until a person reaches their 40's.

Osteoarthritis affects cartilage, the slippery elastic tissue that covers the ends of long bones. Cartilage functions to absorb shock from movement and also to provide a gliding surface for the joints. With OA, the cartilage begins to wear away and the underlying bones begin to rub against each other. This leads to pain. As OS progresses, it causes swelling and loss of motion. Bone spurs develop and the joint starts to deform. Microscopic particles of cartilage and bone flake off and cause irritation of the joint lining leading to more inflammation which leads to pain and more damage.

Symptoms of OA include pain or stiffness in a joint particularly after getting out of bed or after sitting for a prolonged period of time. Some people have "flares" of their symptoms with weather changes. Stiffness and pain in the joints with movement may occur as may "crunchiness".

Some people report no symptoms. One study done at the National Institutes of Health showed that one third of patients with osteoarthritis on x-ray had no symptoms.

While any joint may be affected, the most common areas of involvement are weight-bearing parts of the skeleton such as the neck, low back, hips, and knees. The great toe and the base of the thumb are also common locations. In older women the last row of finger joints and the next to last row of finger joints may be affected. Less common sites are the shoulders, elbows, ankles, and jaws.

Many factors including the way people use their joints. Occupational experiences also play a role. For instance, miners and dockworkers may develop knee OA while farmers have a higher incidence of OA of the hip. Ballet dancers can also develop OA in the feet, ankles, and hips. Athletes also fall into a high risk category with women soccer players being more likely to develop knee OA as a result of prior injury. Other athletic activities which cause joint trauma also can be a trigger for the development of OA.

Obesity is a major risk factor for OA of the hips and knees. The famous Framingham study showed that obese women had the most severe OA.

People with other types of arthritis such as rheumatoid arthritis or gout are at increased risk for developing OA also.

Probably the most significant risk factor is genetic. Patients with a strong family history of OA are at high risk themselves for developing OA. This is most likely a result of defects in cartilage metabolism which hastens wear and tear.

Dr. Wei (pronounced "way") is a board-certified rheumatologist and Clinical Director of the nationally respected Arthritis and Osteoporosis Center of Maryland. He is a Clinical Assistant Professor of Medicine at the University of Maryland School of Medicine and has served as a consultant to the Arthritis Branch of the National Institutes of Health. He is a Fellow of the American College of Rheumatology and the American College of Physicians. For more information on arthritis and related conditions, go to: http://www.arthritis-treatment-and-relief.com

In The News:

---

Medical Malpractice Suits: Death By Medicine

A recent report has found that Americans are more frightened... Read More

New Company Helps Another Medical Condition Become: ?Acceptable? Dinner Conversation

Recently once taboo subjects like plastic surgery have become acceptable... Read More

Traditional Treatments for Back Pain... Which Ones Work and Which Ones Don?t?

When Dorothy followed the yellow brick road, she was told... Read More

How to Tell If Online Consultations Are Right For You

As computers, Internet and technology have become increasingly more available... Read More

The Ease of Using a Motorized Wheelchair to Improve Mobility

No person likes to feel housebound and dependent on others.... Read More

Curing Lou Gehrigs Disease

ALS is the disease that took the life of the... Read More

5 Risks to Avoid When Purchasing Discount Medicines Online

With the increasing price of prescription medications, many consumers are... Read More

Rheumatoid Arthritis : the time bomb

The beginning is very much hard to spot as we... Read More

Zyprexa - History of the Drug

Since the beginning of mankind, mental illness has played a... Read More

Pain Relief Drugs 101 What You Need to Know

Ever given a piece of thought to how actually one... Read More

OxyContin Addiction: Doctors & Drug Lords

OxyContin is a narcotic drug, an opiate, that has been... Read More

How To Medically Treat Nail Fungus

Warning: This article is for information only and can not... Read More

Why R.I.C.E.?

What is R.I.C.E. and why do you need it? One... Read More

Warning: Taking Bextra May Harm Your Health

Another Vioxx-like occurrence may be on the rise, as warnings... Read More

Physicians, Chiropractors and Physical Therapist Agree on a New Treatment for Low Back Pain

One of the most prevalent and difficult health conditions to... Read More

Substance Abuse Attitude Testing by a Standardized Survey

This is a short overview of a questionnaire used for... Read More

The Check Doctor Credentials Theory

In 2003, there where more than 890 million doctor visits... Read More

The Arthritis Pain Reliever... A New Program That Just Might Make You Younger!

For years, it's been known that regular daily exercise is... Read More

Where to Find Maryland Drug Rehab Centers?

Everything can be found on the Internet. At various sites... Read More

7 Tips to Keep Your Fluid Down on Dialysis

As any dialysis patient will tell you, keeping your fluid... Read More

CT and MRI Scans in Neurological Practice: A Quick Overview

Before computed tomographic (CT) scans became available in the 1970s,... Read More

Check Out The Wonders Of Tea Tree Oil

Tea tree oil is the essential oil comes from the... Read More

Stopping Hospital Infections

Each year hospitals end up killing twice as many people... Read More

The Pharmaceutical Drug Cartel and the FDA

According to the Los Angeles Times, the California Association of... Read More

Lunesta Sleeping Pills: A Quick Guide To Lunesta

When was the last time you enjoyed a good night's... Read More

Rezulin Liver Failure Causes FDA to Recall Drug

Rezulin, a prescription type 2 diabetes drug has been withdrawn... Read More

Hypnotherapy as a Treatment for IBS

Hypnotherapy is one of the best known and most widely... Read More

Orphan Drugs: Hope Where There Is Little or No Hope

NEW YORK, N.Y., February 18, 2004 ? On a visit... Read More

Bextra and Vioxx Withdrawal Spurs Price Increase Among Rivals

The market for painkillers is huge. People don't like pain... Read More

Patient Communication: Picking Up Where Medicine Leaves Off

We've all seen patients who were far beyond the reach... Read More

Medication Compliance Kit ... A Life Saver

Pill Proof LLC introduces the first, easy to use medication... Read More

Lunesta Side Effects

Before you decide to buy Lunesta, make sure you have... Read More

Lunesta Revealed: 7 Things You Must Know Before You Buy Lunesta Prescriptions

Lunesta is a newly released sleeping pill. Marketed as a... Read More