Osteoarthritis; Causes, Symptoms & Prevention- Modern Homeopathy.

Osteoarthritis is the most common form of arthritis, affecting millions of people worldwide.

It occurs when the protective cartilage that cushions the ends of your bones wears down over time.

Osteoarthritis most commonly affects joints in  hands , knees, hips and spine.

Symptoms

Osteoarthritis symptoms often develop slowly and worsen over time.

Signs and symptoms of osteoarthritis include:

Pain-Affected joints might hurt during or after movement.

Stiffness- Joint stiffness might be most noticeable upon awakening or after being inactive.

Tenderness- Joint might feel tender when applied light pressure to or near it.

Loss of flexibility- full range of motion might not be possible

Grating sensation- popping or crackling.

Bone spurs-These extra bits of bone, which feel like hard lumps, can form around the affected joint.

Swelling-This might be caused by soft tissue inflammation around the joint.

Causes

Osteoarthritis occurs when the cartilage that cushions the ends of bones in  joints gradually deteriorates. Cartilage is a firm, slippery tissue that enables nearly frictionless joint motion. Eventually, if the cartilage wears down completely, bone will rub on bone.

Osteoarthritis has often been referred to as a "wear and tear" disease. But besides the breakdown of cartilage, osteoarthritis affects the entire joint. It causes changes in the bone and deterioration of the connective tissues that hold the joint together and attach muscle to bone. It also causes inflammation of the joint lining.

Risk factors

Factors that can increase the risk of osteoarthritis include:

Older age. The risk of osteoarthritis increases with age.

Sex. Women are more likely to develop osteoarthritis.

Obesity. Carrying extra body weight contributes to osteoarthritis in several ways, and the more the weigh, the greater your risk. Increased weight adds stress to weight-bearing joints, such as your hips and knees. Also, fat tissue produces proteins that can cause harmful inflammation in and around your joints.

Joint injuries. Injuries, such as those that occur when playing sports or from an accident, can increase the risk of osteoarthritis.

Genetics. Some people inherit a tendency to develop osteoarthritis.

Bone deformities. Some people are born with malformed joints or defective cartilage.

Certain metabolic diseases. These include diabetes and a condition in which your body has too much iron (hemochromatosis).

Complications

Osteoarthritis is a degenerative disease that worsens over time, often resulting in chronic pain. Joint pain and stiffness can become severe enough to make daily tasks difficult.

Fractures can contribute to one of the complication of osteoarthritis.

Depression and sleep disturbances can result from the pain and disability of osteoarthritis.

Diagnosis

Imaging tests

X-rays. Cartilage doesn't show up on X-ray images, but cartilage loss is revealed by a narrowing of the space between the bones in the joint. An X-ray can also show bone spurs around a joint.

Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). An MRI uses radio waves and a strong magnetic field to produce detailed images of bone and soft tissues, including cartilage.

Blood tests

Vitamin D and Vitamin B12 deficiency  can lead to osteoarthritis.

Therapy

Physical therapy. A physical therapist can show you exercises to strengthen the muscles around your joint, increase your flexibility and reduce pain. Regular gentle exercise that you do on your own, such as swimming or walking, can be equally effective.

Occupational therapy. An occupational therapist can help you discover ways to do everyday tasks without putting extra stress on your already painful joint. For instance, a toothbrush with a large grip could make brushing your teeth easier if you have osteoarthritis in your hands. A bench in your shower could help relieve the pain of standing if you have knee osteoarthritis.

Surgical and other procedure

Cortisone injections. Injections of corticosteroid medications may relieve pain in your joint.

Realigning bones. If osteoarthritis has damaged one side of your knee more than the other, an osteotomy might be helpful.

Joint replacement. In joint replacement surgery ( arthroplasty ), your surgeon removes your damaged joint surfaces and replaces them with plastic and metal parts. Surgical risks include infections and blood clots. Artificial joints can wear out or come loose and may need to eventually be replaced.

Lifestyle modifications

Exercise. Low-impact exercise can increase your endurance and strengthen the muscles around joint, making the joint more stable. If under pain do not perform exerscise

Lose weight. Carrying extra weight increases the stress on your weight-bearing joints, such as your knees and your hips. Even minor weight loss can relieve some pressure and reduce your pain.

Diet changes- High calcium diet including milk , eggs ,grains pearl millet , ragi , green leafy vegetables, soyabeans in your diet can support the joint health.

Why Modern Homeopathy?

We at Modern Homeopathy have been continuously in research and delivering best possible care for last 25 years. Our research has brought fruitful outcomes to help improve health. Medicines we provide have no side effects but the ability to work on the root of any disease.