Picking up an object on the floor produces a sigh, getting up from the bed in the morning brings a deep ache and walking up and down the stairs requires tremendous amount of will power and strength. Welcome to the life of someone suffering from osteoarthritis.
What exactly is osteoarthritis?
Osteoarthritis, a common disease affecting from 40-70% of those over age of 50, is degenerative joint disease that generally comes with age.
In a healthy joint, the ends of the bone are covered by a smooth material callled as cartilage, which prevents the bones from rubbing against each other. The joint is covered with synovial fluid that lubricates the surfaces and helps in moving the joint.
As we age, the body’s ability to generate the synovial fluid reduces, and the cartilage around the joint also thins due to wear and tear.
Thus the bones tend to rub against each other which causes pain, stiffness and if the synovial fluid is in excess, it might also lead to swelling.
Where and how does it affect us?
Osteoarthritis generally affects the joints of hand, neck, knee and hips. Generally arthritis at its onset does not produce any significant syptoms but as the disease progresses there is an increasing pain in the joints which is made worse by prolonged activity and improves with rest. There is mostly no inflammation in the joints, just some pain.
In hands, arthritis can cause pain and limitation of use, in the knees it leads to pain, instability and swelling, in hips it leads to local pain and a limp, arthritis of the spinal cord leads to compression of the nerves which affects the circulatory system of the body producing delibilating pain and numbness.
Who is at risk?
Osteoarthritis being a degenerative disease comes with increasing age. Under the age of 45, it is more common in men than women but after 55, women are ten times more likely to arthritis than men. Other risk factors are genetic disorders, joint injuries, trauma, nutritional deficiencies and obesity.
How can you live healthily with Osteoarthritis?
Osteoarthritis can affect a person’s day to day routine because of constant pain and stiffness. However there is no reason why osteoarthritis cannot be effectively dealt with.
Cut down your weight: Age is one risk factor that nobody can control but you can cut down your pain by reducing your weight. Being overweight puts the joints, especially the knees under tremendous pressure and causes addition damage to the cartilage. After losing weight, you will find that the pain lessens and there is more mobility.
Look for convenience: People suffering from arthritis of the hands have difficulty opening doors, typing, and writing. They should now look out for products that are friendly to their ailments like phones with bigger buttons, jars with lids easier on the fingers. Those with arthritis of the knees should opt for shoes with special wedges that help reduce the pressure on their knees; a walking stick held in the opposite hand also helps. Those with arthritis of the spinal cord benefit from sleeping on firmer mattresses, using neck and back braces.
Pain killers: The reality of living with osteoarthritis is chronic pain. Doctors advise patients to take over- the-counter pain killers and anti inflammatory drugs like aspirin, ibuprofen and acetaminophen and apply creams and sprays to the area that is paining.
Supplements: Vitamin D deficiency has direct links with Arthritis and increasing Vitamin D intake by going out in the sun and taking additional supplements is known to reduce and even stop the pain associated with Arthritis. Taking calcium supplements helps in strengthening the bones and in reducing the pain.
Hot and Cold: Using hot packs, taking hot showers help in reducing pain and stiffness in the joints by increasing the blood flow. On the other hand, cool compresses are known to decrease inflammation in the joints.
Massages: Massages are beneficial in dealing with the pain associated with Arthritis. Gentle massage to the area affected increases circulation, relieves the aches and stiffness and provides immediate relaxation of the muscles.
Foods: Foods to include in your diet are green leafy vegetables, barley, wheat, soy products and carrots. Foods to avoid are sugar, extra sweetened products, foods high in salt, caffeine, alcohol and dairy products. Ayurveda recommends use of turmeric and ginger as these help in in decreasing the inflammation and the pain associated with arthritis.
Therapy: Physiotherapy can help relieve some of the pain associated with Osteoarthritis by the specific exercises that aim at strengthening the muscles around the joints. Many patients opt for alternative therapies like Acupressure, Ayurveda and supplements like Glucosamine and chondroitin are also known to reduce arthritis pain. Remember to go only to authentic and experienced practitioners and consult your doctor before trying alternative therapies.
