Before we’ll tell you the reasons or Causes of Osteoarthritis which cause Osteoarthritis, we would like to tell you what is Osteoarthritis or Degenerative Arthritis.

Arthritis is a medical condition that affects the joints of the body. Osteoarthritis is the most common type of arthritis and its effects on millions of peoples around the globe. In Osteoarthritis (OA), the tissues that connect the joints known as cartilage breaks down or get damaged and therefore the end of both bones rub against each other which can cause problems like pain, stiffness, tenderness, or loss of flexibility in the joints.

Normally, OA happens to older people but despite that fact, this medical disorder can be seen in any adult. There are more than 30 million known cases of Osteoarthritis in the USA only. Sometimes, Osteoarthritis (OA) is also commonly known as Degenerative Arthritis, Degenerative Joint Disease, Wear and Tear Arthritis.

What Is Osteoarthritis?

Basically, the problem of Osteoarthritis (OA) is one of the most common chronic and also long-lasting joint pain situations. However, the joint is known as the part where two bones join together. Although the ends of all such bones are covered with some protective tissue that is called cartilage.

When an individual suffers from the problem of osteoarthritis, then this cartilage breaks down. Hence it starts the bones within your body joint to rub with each other. Therefore it will cause stiffness, pain, and other serious symptoms. Osteoarthritis problem occurs most often in older peoples. Although this problem can occur in young adults of any age.

Osteoarthritis is also known as degenerative joint disease, wear-and-tear arthritis, and degenerative arthritis. This leading cause of disability or problem of osteoarthritis affects large than 30 million men and women around the world. Hence it is necessary for you to know more about osteoarthritis, also from prevention to treatment, and many more.

Causes of Osteoarthritis

There are a few different types of OA that can be found in the body. Here in this article, we’ll discuss all the types of OA and the causes behind them.

Primary Osteoarthritis

Primary Osteoarthritis (OA) can be seen with aging and it is also the most common OA. With the increase in age, it becomes more and more difficult for the human body to produce the protein required for the smooth working of the cartilage and therefore the water content keeps on increases in the joints.

The repetitive and extensive use of the joints over the years causes the wear and tear in the ligament and the result of all this is that cartilages start to degenerate. In extreme cases, when the joints were under continuous and excessive load leads to the total damage of the cartilage between joints that causes friction during the movement of joints and loss of flexibility in joints. Due to the continuous friction between the joints results in the growth of new bone at the joint ends known as Spurs which causes damage to the surrounding muscles.

There are many cases where the condition of Primary Osteoarthritis is found in the family members which indicates that OA can be transmitted through genes i.e. it is a Heredity basis condition. There are also very few cases where the OA is found due to the damaged Collagen which is an integral part of Cartilage.

Secondary Osteoarthritis

The causes of Secondary Osteoarthritis (OA) is not as simple as ‘Aging’. It can be caused due to other medical conditions or diseases. After years of research, doctors are able to identify some diseases that can be responsible for the OA at an early age also as Obesity i.e. excessive body weight, frequent surgeries of joints, abnormal joints from birth (Congenital Abnormalities), rheumatoid arthritis, diabetes, etc.

• Obesity is a medical condition in which a person is suffering from excessive body weight than a normal person. As a matter of fact, obesity is the second most reason that causes Osteoarthritis around the globe after ‘Aging’. The continuous mechanical stress at the knees due to the bodyweight causes the early degeneration in the cartilage.

• Frequent Joint Surgery could also cause OA in many cases. Joint tissues like ligaments and cartilage can be harmed permanently if they go through repetitive traumas many times. That’s the reason why many sports athletes like football players, weight lifters, bodybuilders suffer from Osteoarthritis at an early stage of life. Surprisingly, there are not many cases of OA is found in long-distance runners.
  
• Congenital Abnormality is a medical condition in which people born with abnormal joints. These joints can cause severe stress on the joints. Due to which joints are under continuous mechanical wear that causes the total loss of cartilage and a person may suffer from Osteoarthritis at the early stages of his life.

Hormonal diseases like diabetes or unbalanced growth hormones also cause cartilage damage and secondary OA in some cases.

• Rheumatoid Arthritis is quite different from regular OSteoarthritis but the symptoms of both diseases are very same. So, it is important to tell you guys the difference between them. In RA, the immune system of the person mistakenly thinks that the soft lining around the joints is a threat to the body. Due to which the immune system tries to fix that and the result of this is swelling, pain, and inflammation in the joints.

These are the causes of Osteoarthritis (OA) or Degenerative Arthritis due to which a person has to face joint pains. This is a chronic disease and there is no complete treatment of this condition but you can lower its effects on the body by a healthy diet, joint exercise, and by controlling your body weight.

It is recommended to consult a doctor or physician if you are suffering from OA for a long period of time.

Severe Osteoarthritis

Osteoarthritis disease is basically a progressive situation with five stages, that vary from 0 to 4 scale. Here the first stage or the 0 stages represents the normal joint. However, stage 4 represents the problem of severe osteoarthritis. Although every person who has Osteoarthritis will not get progress all the way to stage 4.

However, this situation often stabilizes very long before reaching this stage. Although people with severe Osteoarthritis have an extended or total loss of cartilage in either one or more joints. Therefore the bone-on-bone friction incorporated with this may cause severe symptoms of osteoarthritis.

It can increase inflammation and swelling. The quantity of synovial fluid within the body joint can increase. Usually, this fluid can help you to reduce friction while moving. However, in higher quantities, it can cause the problem of joint swelling. The fragments of broken-off cartilage can also float inside the synovial fluid, rising pain, and swelling.

It also increased the pain. Because you will feel pain throughout activities. But also pain can be felt when you are having rest. You may observe an improvement in your pain level as the day proceeds, or even more swelling in your joints if you have utilized them a lot more throughout the day.

It can also decrease the range of motion. Therefore you may not be able to properly move your joints as well, due to pain or stiffness in your joints. Although this can make it more difficult to enjoy the day-to-day activities which used to come very easily.

It can also make the joint instability. Although your joints can become less durable. For example, if you have a problem with severe Osteoarthritis in your knee joints, then you will encounter a locking problem or a sudden lack of movement. You may also feel buckling when the knee joints give out, which can also cause falls and injury.

There are some other symptoms that also exist. As your joint pain continues to wear down, bone spurs, muscle weakness, and joint deformity can also occur. This joint damage problem caused by severe osteoarthritis, and it is not reversible. But the treatment can help you to decrease symptoms. You must learn everything that you need to know about advanced osteoarthritis problems.

Osteoarthritis In Different Body Parts

Osteoarthritis In Hands

The problem of osteoarthritis can affect one or more areas of your hands. These areas of your body usually include the tips of your fingers, the joint connecting the wrist and the thumb, the middle knuckle of each and every finger, and the wrist itself. However, the joints which are affected broadly determine all the symptoms that occur.

These symptoms usually include pain, stiffness, redness, swelling, trouble moving your fingers, weakness, crunching sound when you move your fingers, reduced range of motion, trouble holding or gripping onto objects.

Women are more prone to Osteoarthritis in the hand than men and usually get it at a younger age. Hand Osteoarthritis can have a big impact on your ability to do the tasks associated with day-to-day living. However, such treatments which ranging from changing lifestyle to surgery may help. Read more about Osteoarthritis in the hands and how to treat it.

Osteoarthritis In Hips

Osteoarthritis can occur in one or both hips. In such a way, it differs from Rheumatic Arthritis, which usually happens in both hips at the same time. Hip Osteoarthritis is a slowly degenerative condition. Many people find that they are able to combat their symptoms for many years by using a medication, exercise, and physical therapy. Supports, such as canes, can also help.

When this condition becomes worsens, then steroid injections, and some other medications, or surgery may help you to give relief. Some alternative therapies will also help, and some new technologies are on the horizon. Here is what you need to know about the many treatment options for hip Osteoarthritis.

Osteoarthritis In Knees

Like hip Osteoarthritis, knee Osteoarthritis can occur in one or both knees. Age, genetics, and knee injury may all play a role in knee Osteoarthritis. Although those athletes who concentrate individually on one sport that produces extensive, and repetitive motion, such as tennis or running, can be at enhanced risk of Osteoarthritis.

Moreover, if you pursue only one kind of physical activity, then this can overuse some of your muscles and underuse some other muscles, which may cause instability and weakness in your knee joint. Diversifying your activities can help you to work for some different muscle groups, also it allowing all such muscles around the knee to be strengthened.

Treatment for knee Osteoarthritis depends on the stage of the condition. Learn about the stages of Osteoarthritis in the knee and how each one is treated.

Osteoarthritis In Knee Brace

Wearing a brace around your knee can be an excellent non-surgical treatment for knee Osteoarthritis. Braces can reduce swelling and pressure. They can also improve the stability in the knee by shifting your body weight away from the injured part of your knee. This allows for greater mobility.

There are several types of knee braces. Some of these can be custom fitted for you, and some others are available over the counter. Your doctor may recommend that you try different kinds of braces for different activities. Find out what the best type of brace for your Osteoarthritis is.

Cervical osteoarthritis

Cervical Osteoarthritis is also referred to as neck Osteoarthritis or as cervical spondylosis. It is an age-related situation that affects more extra than 85 percent of persons over the age of 60 years. It occurs in both men and women. The cervical spine is located in the neck and contains facet joints.

These joints can help you to maintain some flexibility in your spine, and allowing you for a complete range of motion. When the cartilage around the facet joints starts to wear away, cervical Osteoarthritis results. Cervical Osteoarthritis does not always cause symptoms. Although if it does cause the symptoms then it can range from mild to severe and it may include:

• Pain in your shoulder blade
• Down your arm, or in your fingers
• Muscle weakness
• Stiffness in your neck
• Headache, mostly in the back of your head
• Tingling or numbness down your arms or legs

Infrequently, some more serious symptoms of it may occur, such as loss of body balance or loss of bladder or bowel control. Check out the risk factors and treatment options for cervical Osteoarthritis.

Spinal Osteoarthritis

When you get back pain, then you will have spinal osteoarthritis. Because this disease affects the facet joints, that located in the buttocks and lower back. Spine trauma and age both are potential factors in spinal osteoarthritis. Women are more prone than men to face this condition. People whose jobs require squatting and sitting, or who are overweight, may also be at increased risk of it.

Spinal osteoarthritis symptoms can vary in severity. They include stiffness or tenderness in the joints in your back, weakness, numbness, or tingling in your arms or legs, reduced range of motion. Although it is very important to pay attention to all these symptoms. If left untreated, spinal Osteoarthritis can worsen, causing more severe symptoms and disability.

Prevention of Osteoarthritis

You may have risk factors for Osteoarthritis that you can not control, such as heredity, age, and gender. But other risk factors can be controlled, and managing them can help reduce your risk of Osteoarthritis. Some of the given below tips will help you to manage the risk factors under the control:

Support your body

Well, if you are an avid exerciser or an active athlete, then you should make sure that you care for your body. You should wear shoes and athletic supports that reduce the shock on your knees. Also, you should make sure to diversify your sports, therefore all of your body muscles will get a workout, not just a similar type of muscles every time.

Watch your weight

You should keep the body mass index or BMI in the proper range for your gender and height.

Keep a healthy diet

You should eat a variety of some healthy foods, with the focus on some fresh vegetables and fruits.

Get enough rest

Give your body ample opportunities to rest and to sleep.

If you have diabetes, controlling your blood sugar can also help manage your risk of Osteoarthritis. See how else you can manage your risk and help prevent Osteoarthritis.

Diet For Osteoarthritis

There is no downside to eating healthy, but if you have Osteoarthritis, diet and nutrition are especially important. First off, you will want to keep your weight in a normal range to reduce unnecessary pressure on your joints.

There’s also research trusted Sources suggesting that some types of OA, such as osteoarthritis of the knee, respond positively to a diet high in flavonoids, which are nutrients found in fruits and vegetables. Also, the antioxidants found in many fruits and vegetables may also help combat the free radicals produced by inflammation. Free radicals are molecules that can cause cell damage.

The high nutrition’s diet can help you to get relief from symptoms of osteoarthritis by reducing swelling and inflammation. Eating foods high in nutrition can be highly beneficial such as vitamin C, vitamin D, beta-carotene, omega-3 fatty acids, etc. It can increase your intake of foods with anti-inflammatory properties will help, too.

Final Words

Although the problem of osteoarthritis is a very chronic condition that does not get a proper cure. But with the help of some useful treatments, the vision will be positive. However, you must not ignore the symptoms of such chronic joint pain and stiffness problems. As soon as you will converse with your doctor, then very soon you can get the diagnosis and can begin the treatment. So that you will definitely enhance the quality of your life.