Osteoarthritis - Arthri-Muscle

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Osteoarthritis

What is osteoarthritis?

Osteoarthritis is a disease that damages the joints and leads to cartilage breakdown.

The cartilage is a smooth and strong connective tissue that covers and protects the ends of bones in the joints. The smooth surface of cartilage facilitates gliding movements between the bone ends. Cartilage loss can cause friction between the bones resulting in pain and inflammation.

Causes

The cause of osteoarthritis is not clear. However, it is known that a number of factors can increase your risk of developing the disease:

Obesity (added stress on the joints);
Older age (65 and up);
Overuse (physical and repetitive work);
Genetics (passed down from generation to generation).

Symptoms

Pain at rest;
Severe pain during or after exercise;
Stiffness (when you wake up in the morning or after a long period of inactivity);
Loss of flexibility;
Swelling in the joint;
Crunching and grating sounds when moving a joint;
Bone spurs (hard lumps forming around the affected joint).

PREVENTION

Maintain a healthy weight to eliminate stress on the joints;
Protect your joints (avoid overuse and repetitive movements);
Choose activities that put less stress on your joints (bike riding, elliptical, swimming or aquatic exercises).

PAIN TREATMENT

Physiotherapy (to help your flexibility and mobility);
Medication (prescribed by a doctor);
Over-the-counter natural products (Arthri-Muscle);
Surgery (if the joint is seriously damaged or very painful).