causes of osteoarthritis

Learn About Causes of Osteoarthritis

Osteoarthritis is something that you should not take lightly when you have it. Being diagnosed with such a thing has probably brought you here looking for more information. You will find that knowing more about causes of osteoarthritis, will help you understand it.

Simply put, the causes of osteoarthritis are the wearing away of cartilage and other lining materials found within the joints. There are two main types of osteoarthritis, those that develop as a part of older age, and those cases that develop in connection with other disorders or conditions.

Osteoarthritis is the most common form of arthritis, affecting nearly twenty-one million people in the United States. Osteoarthritis is responsible for roughly twenty-five percent of the primary care physician visits in the United States. The statistics seem to be about the same for Canada and most of the rest of the world.

Primary osteoarthritis is cause by ageing. As the body becomes older and has put in years' worth of walking and moving about, the protective coating of the joints simply begins to wear away. When these protective materials are not replaced, then one will notice pain and discomfort, along with swelling.

Also, as a person ages the protein content in cartilage goes down, while the water content of the cartilage goes up. Both of these processes add to the degenerating of cartilage through repetitive use. Misuse or sports injuries also contribute to the general degradation of joints and their protective linings.

Along with the pain and swelling associated with osteoarthritis, extreme inflammation can also occur. Sometimes this extreme inflammation can lead to bone spurs or 'osteophytes' that form around the affected joint(s).

Sufferers of osteoarthritis may find so many of their everyday movements so painful that this condition can also effect emotional distress and psychological issues. There are many things that can be done to relieve the pain and swelling associated with osteoarthritis, and it is important to help sufferers find the best way to cope with their pain....

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Learn About Causes of Osteoarthritis

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