Degenerative arthritis is only one of the major types of arthritis. For some the disease may sound too frightening. Since this is a common type of arthritis, you should try to find the truth about it.
What It Is
This condition is actually also popularly known as osteoarthritis. The disease is related to the condition of one's cartilage. The cartilage is a soft section that is located in between the ball and socket of a joint. A joint's cartilage is important because it guards the bones from pressure during movement. It is the cartilage that ensures you do not feel pain when you move your joints.
Due to different possible causes, the cartilage can diminish and become depleted. This is when the bones in the joint come in contact. Bone grinding can damage the bone and give you a lot of pain. The joints that carry weight such as the knees and hips are the ones that are usually affected by this condition. Solo joints are affected at one time. The fingers however, may all suffer from osteoarthritis all at the same time. Other joints are not typically affected by it.
What to Watch Out For
You would want to get yourself treated if you have degenerative arthritis. One way to find out if you might have it is to watch out for the symptoms. The symptoms may be similar to the typical symptoms of other arthritis conditions. You could suffer from pain, stiffness and difficulty of movement. One tell-tale sign is when you notice some mild bone grating when you move your joints. These symptoms can get worse through time which is why osteoarthritis is considered a degenerative disease.
Possible Causes
Like other types of arthritis, the exact causes of osteoarthritis have not been fully found. There is a possibility though that the condition could be genetically inherited. Growing old could also be a factor for cartilage degeneration. One other enduring possible contributory factor is joint use. Frequent and intense use of joints especially when they result in joint injury may increase one's risk of osteoarthritis. Being overweight could also increase a person's risk of developing the condition. It has been determined that women and those who already have rheumatoid arthritis are at a higher risk of the disease than others.
Treatment
Once you develop osteoarthritis, you would have to live with it for the rest of your life. There is simply no way to cure it. Patients however should still seek treatment. Medical attention can help limit the impact and incidence of symptoms. Not every patient will be treated in the same way. Doctors will initially recommend mild and non invasive treatment. Some however may already need to be operated on. They would also have to take strong medications.
Depending on your condition, your doctor may recommend a couple of basic home remedies. This may include using hot or cold compresses and resting your joints. Exercise is also a typical part of mild arthritis treatment. The exercises however aren't typical ones. They have been carefully created to help regain joint movement while preventing joints and patients from getting harmed.
Living with degenerative arthritis may be a real challenge. It is possible though so you shouldn't lose hope. - 15437
What It Is
This condition is actually also popularly known as osteoarthritis. The disease is related to the condition of one's cartilage. The cartilage is a soft section that is located in between the ball and socket of a joint. A joint's cartilage is important because it guards the bones from pressure during movement. It is the cartilage that ensures you do not feel pain when you move your joints.
Due to different possible causes, the cartilage can diminish and become depleted. This is when the bones in the joint come in contact. Bone grinding can damage the bone and give you a lot of pain. The joints that carry weight such as the knees and hips are the ones that are usually affected by this condition. Solo joints are affected at one time. The fingers however, may all suffer from osteoarthritis all at the same time. Other joints are not typically affected by it.
What to Watch Out For
You would want to get yourself treated if you have degenerative arthritis. One way to find out if you might have it is to watch out for the symptoms. The symptoms may be similar to the typical symptoms of other arthritis conditions. You could suffer from pain, stiffness and difficulty of movement. One tell-tale sign is when you notice some mild bone grating when you move your joints. These symptoms can get worse through time which is why osteoarthritis is considered a degenerative disease.
Possible Causes
Like other types of arthritis, the exact causes of osteoarthritis have not been fully found. There is a possibility though that the condition could be genetically inherited. Growing old could also be a factor for cartilage degeneration. One other enduring possible contributory factor is joint use. Frequent and intense use of joints especially when they result in joint injury may increase one's risk of osteoarthritis. Being overweight could also increase a person's risk of developing the condition. It has been determined that women and those who already have rheumatoid arthritis are at a higher risk of the disease than others.
Treatment
Once you develop osteoarthritis, you would have to live with it for the rest of your life. There is simply no way to cure it. Patients however should still seek treatment. Medical attention can help limit the impact and incidence of symptoms. Not every patient will be treated in the same way. Doctors will initially recommend mild and non invasive treatment. Some however may already need to be operated on. They would also have to take strong medications.
Depending on your condition, your doctor may recommend a couple of basic home remedies. This may include using hot or cold compresses and resting your joints. Exercise is also a typical part of mild arthritis treatment. The exercises however aren't typical ones. They have been carefully created to help regain joint movement while preventing joints and patients from getting harmed.
Living with degenerative arthritis may be a real challenge. It is possible though so you shouldn't lose hope. - 15437
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Fed up with arthritis? Consult an arthritis doctor for your degenerative arthritis.
