Some of the ailments that affect us, even being very common, are big unknown. Osteoarthritis is one of them and that's why today we will talk about it in the blog of people who live with pain.
What is osteoarthritis?
Osteoarthritis is one of the types of arthritis with a higher incidence. It is a condition that appears very often from the fifties, as the joints and bones age.
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The most common type of arthritis
Maybe you know there are many types of arthritis . The best known is usually rheumatoid arthritis , but we must not forget other inflammatory and very painful diseases such as, for example, tendonitis , bursitis, so-called carpal tunnel syndrome or osteoarthritis.
In general we could say that osteoarthritis is a rheumatic disease and very painful. It is produced by the progressive wear of the cartilages of our bones. This type of arthritis is more common among older people . Over time, that tissue called cartilage is losing density and fails to fully or partially fulfill its main function: to get the joints of our arms, elbows, ankles and wrists moving smoothly.
Osteoarthritis: main risk factors
- Age. People over 50 are more susceptible to this type of arthritis .
- The sex After 50 years, different medical studies warn of a higher incidence among women of this type of arthritis in the hands, hips and knees . Generally women usually notice the first symptoms a few years before men.
- The lifestyle. Increases the number of osteoarthritis patients in Western countries. This is in societies where sedentary life prevails and lack of adequate and controlled physical exercise .
- The obesity. The latest medical advances directly relate osteoarthritis to obesity . There are several theories that could explain this relationship, for example:
- Excessive ingestion of certain foods can directly damage the internal structure of both the cartilage and the bones.
- Overweight exerts a continuous and excessive pressure on our joints. It thus promotes the progressive wear and loss of cartilage functions.
Main symptoms of osteoarthritis
The symptoms of osteoarthritis vary depending on the joint that is affected : hands, knees, hip ... Two symptoms common to any type of arthritis could be highlighted: loss of mobility and pain.
- The loss of mobility. Patients suffering from osteoarthritis see their most basic physical movements limited: walking, going down stairs, sewing, writing, painting, etc.
- The pain It increases when the affected joint moves, it diminishes when we rest and it appears when we make certain types of movements. It also tends to be more intense at the last minute of the day or when we make an effort, etc. Pain is one of the first and main symptoms that can warn us about the Osteoarthritis .