Grow Youthful: How to Slow Your Aging and Enjoy Extraordinary Health
Grow Youthful: How to Slow Your Aging and Enjoy Extraordinary Health

Arthritis (Osteoarthritis, OA)

What is osteoarthritis?

Symptoms of osteoarthritis

Causes of osteoarthritis

Remedies for osteoarthritis

References

What is osteoarthritis?

There are over 100 forms of arthritis. Arthritis is the swelling, inflammation and degradation of one or more joints. Osteoarthritis (OA) is the most common form of arthritis. OA is a degenerative joint disease that affects the entire joint, including bone, cartilage, ligaments and the tissues lining the joint (the synovium). Osteoarthritis can degrade cartilage, change bone shape and cause inflammation. OA occurs most frequently in the hands, hips and knees. Doctors say it is caused by prior trauma to or infection of the joint (wear and tear), but ignore the underlying causes. OA usually occurs in older people.

Rheumatoid arthritis is an autoimmune disease that can affect anyone at any age. It affects not only the joints of the fingers, wrists, hips, knees and feet, but also the muscles, tendons and other tissues of the body. Other forms of arthritis include psoriatic arthritis, and various autoimmune diseases in which the body attacks itself. Septic arthritis is caused by joint infection.

Arthritis is the most common form of disability in the USA, with over 33 million people affected, 20 million of them severely. Arthritis is a leading cause of work disability, crimping people's lifestyles and activities, and increasing the risk of falls and fall injuries. Arthritis can make it difficult for the sufferer to get sufficient exercise and sleep, so contributing to an increased risk of other degenerative diseases like obesity, heart and artery disease, and insomnia. People with arthritis are also at increased risk of depression, probably because of a fear of worsening symptoms and decreasing ability to work and contribute. More than three quarters of people over the age of 50 in rich countries like the USA experience arthritis in some form, to some degree.

Symptoms of osteoarthritis

Causes of osteoarthritis

Remedies for osteoarthritis

References

1. Abdelhamid AS, Brown TJ, Brainard JS, Biswas P, Thorpe GC, Moore HJ, Deane KHO, AlAbdulghafoor FK, Summerbell CD, Worthington HV, Song F, Hooper L. Omega-3 fatty acids for the primary and secondary prevention of cardiovascular disease. Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews. 18 July 2018. Issue 7. Art. No.: CD003177. DOI: 10.1002/14651858.CD003177.pub3.

2. Funk J.L., Frye J.B., Oyarzo J.N., Kuscuoglu N., Wilson J., McCaffrey G., et al. Efficacy and mechanism of action of turmeric supplements in the treatment of experimental arthritis. Arthritis Rheum. 2006 Nov;54(11):3452-64.