Learn Everything about Osteoarthritis

Arthritis is a disease that causes swelling and pain in your joints, and osteoarthritis OA is one of its forms. It is considered as one of the chronic conditions of the joint that can give you a tough time and interferes with your daily activities. 

When the two bones come together, it forms a joint. Both ends of bones are covered with cartilage, which is the protective tissue. Osteoarthritis causes the breakdown of the cartilage, and both bones begin to rub with each other. 

OA has different names, including degenerative arthritis, joint disease, and wear-and-tear arthritis. Early treatment can prevent us from disability as it can get worse over time. Experts revealed that more than 30 million people have been affected with Osteoarthritis. 

People often have no idea about arthritis conditions and avoid the early signs and symptoms, which often lead to chronic pains or even disability. One of the best orthopedic doctors in peshawar helped us to reveal some important facts about osteoarthritis.  

Symptoms and Treatments of Osteoarthritis 

Role of Cartilage 

Cartilage is the protective tissue that covers the ends of both bones that forms a joint. It is not hard like a bone but a soft and rubbery substance that is flexible. The bone’s surface begins to rub when the cartilage breaks down. The rubbing causes pain in joints and also irritating. It’s wrong to consider that the cartilage will repair itself because no blood vessel can help them for the self-repairing process. 

OA can occur in different areas of your body. It is crucial to learn which areas it affected the most, so you can ensure if it is Osteoarthritis. This disease mostly occurs in the hands, knees, spine, fingertips, hips, etc. 

Symptoms of Osteoarthritis 

• Increased stiffness and pain if you do not move or walk for a few minutes.
• Joints appear larger 
• Joint tenderness 
• Inflammation 
• Pain 

If you feel extreme pain, it is a sign of advanced Osteoarthritis and can give you a tough time while doing physical activities. 

What Advanced Osteoarthritis Feels Like?

When the synovial fluid increases, then it causes swelling in joints. Increased swelling also leads to chronic pains. It will keep you away from physical activities and put you on bed rest because excessive movement can increase it more. Locking is also conditioned that you can experience due to low movement. 

How Doctors Diagnose Osteoarthritis?

Osteoarthritis develops slowly, and it is often not possible to diagnose it at its early condition. People often have no clue about suffering from OA until they feel the severe pain and swelling in their joints. X-rays, MRI scans are used to diagnose joint diseases by orthopedic surgeons. 

Possible Treatments for Osteoarthritis 

The severity of your joint condition describes what type of treatment you may need. Symptom management works on the severity of signs and how long it will take to relieve pain, swelling, and stiffness. 

1. 
   

       Medications 

Khyber teaching hospital explains that some chronic pain can’t go on its own but with medicines. Many orthopedic surgeons prescribe some medications or injections to reduce joint pain and inflammation, including Cymbalta, topical analgesics, oral analgesics, corticosteroids, etc. 

2. 
   

       Apply Hot and Cold Compress 

Many orthopedic surgeons suggest hot and cold therapy as it can help to relieve muscle pain and stiffness. For 15 to 20 minutes, you should apply the hot and cold compress several times a day, and it will help you ease the pain. 

3. 
   

       Weight Loss, Exercise and Quality Sleep 

Pressure on your bones and joints is often caused by the overweight. A healthy Weight can prevent joint strain and pain. Muscles need some rest as it also helps to reduce inflammation. Proper and quality sleep also manages the pain. Stretching exercise is one of the best solutions for people who are suffering from osteoarthritis disease. 

4.   Maintain your level of activity

When you have painful joints, it can be difficult to exercise. Staying active, on the other hand, can help to reduce pain in the long run and even strengthen muscles to prevent further joint damage.

The best OA exercises use light resistance, improve flexibility, include an aerobic component, and are low impact. Among the options are:

• riding a bicycle
• scuba diving
• strolling
• yin yoga

Consult your doctor before beginning any new exercises, especially if you haven’t been active in a long time. The Arthritis Foundation recommends 150 minutes of moderate-intensity aerobic exercise per week.

5.   Natural remedies

Natural remedies for conditions such as OA are becoming more popular. Some believe they are safer than traditional medications because they have fewer side effects.

Discuss the natural remedies listed below with your doctor. Herbal supplements that are labeled as “natural” can have negative side effects and interact with medications you may be taking.

• Anti-inflammatory: Green Tea

Polyphenols are found in green tea. These compounds may aid in the reduction of inflammation and the need for medication. Green tea was found to increase cartilage protection in one study published in Arthritis Research and Therapy Trusted Source.

Green tea should be consumed in moderation due to the risk of liver problems and side effects from high concentrations.

• Pain reducers: Ginger

It is also noted that oral ginger reduces pain caused by OA. The ginger, which has been taken long-term, can also decrease the risk of OA-related disabilities in a 2015 report of Osteoarthritis and Cartilage. Ginger as a seasoning rather than additional types was recommended by a National Center for Complimentary and Integrative Source due to the chance of side effects.

Withdrawal signs are the greatest risk of ginger overdose. Ginger can induce heartburn, stomach upset. It can interfere with prescription drugs such since warfarin as it is an anticoagulant (blood thinner).

• Multi Pain Reliever: Turmeric

In turmeric, curcumin is the active ingredient. It belongs to the ginger tribe, but it can support OA in various ways. Trusted Source studies indicate that the compound can combat inflammatory compounds. During an OA flare-up, discomfort and rigidity may also be reduced.

The Arthritis Foundation proposes the following dosing options for the treatment of arthritis:

Capsules: between 400 and 600 mg Up to 3 hours a day
Root extract: 0.5 to 1 gram, 3 times a day

You can have to add black pepper when take turmeric to enhance the herb’s advantages. Though it is usually healthy turmeric it can induce nausea and interfere with blood dilution.

• Eat OA-friendly foods

It can help to feel healthy and lose weight and have an adequate diet. Research indicates that certain foods are particularly useful to OA.

Eat this:

Any foods can exacerbate OA symptoms by can muscle inflammation on the flipside.

Avoid this:

Outlook 

If you notice reduced mobility, visit an orthopedic and discuss the symptoms. Your doctor will help reduce pain and inflammation in your joints by planning treatment according to your OA condition. It is a degenerative disease that gets worse over time. As the condition progresses, you should think about OA treatment seriously, or it can lead to disability or chronic pain.