OSTEOARTHRITIS

This information is from SparkPeople's weekly health information.

What is Osteoarthritis?

Arthritis literally means "joint inflammation". It is the leading cause of disability in the US.  There are actually over 100 different types of arthritis, including rheumatoid arthritis, fibromyalgia and more.  For most people, arthritis is unavoidable since the joints naturally degenerate over time.  Most people over 50 years of age show some symptoms of arthritis.  In general, arthritis can affect the joints, muscles, skin and internal organs, and there is not known cure.

Osteoarthritis, the most common form of arthritis, affects an estimated 21 million adults in the US alone.  Osteoarthritis begins with the breakdown of joint cartilage which results in pain, stiffness, swelling and tenderness and other common symptoms like limited flexibility, finding joints, numbness, and tingling.  The joint of the fingers, spine, hips and knees are most often affected, but osteoarthritis can also affect the shoulders, elbows, wrists and ankles.  As osteoarthritis worsens, the pain and discomfort worsens and becomes constant, possibly interfering with sleep.

The exact cause of osteoarthritis is not known, but some experts believe that joint damage occurs as a response to physical stress (such as injury or repetitive movement).  This wear and tear can erode the cartilage, causing bones to thicken and change shape.  Eventually, the ends of the bones begin to rub together causing pain and tenderness.

There are two main categories of risks that can contribute to osteoarthritis - those that you can't change, and those that you can.

Uncontrollable Risk Factors

These variables are out of your control.  Although you can't do anything to change them, it's important to know whether you fall into any of these higher-risk categories.

• Your age. Osteoarthritis usually occurs in older people (although it can afflict young adults who experience joint injuries).  Almost all people over 65 show some signs of developing osteoarthritis, and by age 70, nearly every person will have this condition.

• Your gender. Before age 45, osteoarthritis occurs more often in men, but after age 45, osteoarthritis is more common in women.

• Your race. Caucasians and African Americans have an overall higher risk of developing osteoarthritis than other racial and ethic groups.

• Your family history. You are more likely to develop osteoarthritis if one or both of your parents had the condition.  Research suggests that defective genes, which cause deterioration of the joint, can be passed down from parent to child.

• Your health history. certain diseases, such as rheumatoid arthritis, change the structure of the cartilage and therefore increase the risk for osteoarthritis.

• Your previous injuries. Joint injuries or overuse, whether from physical labor, sports, or repetitive injury, can increase the risk for developing osteoarthritis.  Even a single injury to a joint can result in the development of osteoarthritis many years later.

• Your joint alignment. Joints that move or  fit together incorrectly are more likely to develop osteoarthritis.

While you can't change things like family history or previous injuries, you can control certain factors related to your lifestyle - the choices you make each day about what to eat and how to care for yourself.  These are areas of your life where you can take proactive steps to help prevent and treat osteoarthritis and enhance your overall health.

Controllable Risk Factors

• Your weight. Your risk of developing osteoarthritis generally increases with the amount of weight that your joints have to bear.  Once osteoarthritis has developed, being overweight exacerbates the condition.  Losing excess weight can decrease your risk and symptoms.
• Your activity level. You are more likely to develop osteoarthritis if you are physically inactive or physically overactive.  A lack of exercise weakens muscles and bones, decreasing flexibility and support at the joints, which eventually leads to pain and stiffness.  At the same time, over-exercising can also be harmful to the joints.  Stick with moderate exercise to strengthen the joints.
• Your strength level.  If the muscles surrounding your joints are weak, then you are more prone to developing osteoarthritis in those joints.  Strength training can help you build muscles, which strengthens your joints and provides protection against osteoarthritis.  If you already have osteoarthritis, a physical therapist cam assess your muscle strength, flexibility and joint stability and recommend different exercises for you.
• Your diet. A diet low in omega-3 fatty acids and high in unhealthy fats (fatty meats, high-fat dairy products, saturated fat and trans fats) may contribute to your risk of developing osteoarthritis.  Healthy omega-3s reduce joint inflammation while unhealthy fats can increase it. 

If you experience joint pain, stiffness and/or swelling for more than two weeks, make an appointment to see your doctor, as early diagnosis can help minimize the pain and disability of osteoarthritis.  The two of you can develop plan that includes a combination of diet and exercise changes, weight loss, physical therapy, and medication.

Looking for a cure (or simple pain relief), many osteoarthritis sufferers seek help from the latest nutritional supplement.  But before you waste your hard earned money (or put you health and safety on the line), it's important to find out what the research actually show about these supplements.

While many people are opposed to prescription medications, possibly fearing adverse side effects, it's important to remember that prescription drugs are tightly regulated, tested, and evaluated and approved for use by the FDA.  No supplements are tested as thoroughly as medications are.  Using supplements, vitamins, and herbs involves risks as well.  Always tell your doctor if you are taking any dietary supplements or if your are thinking about combining a dietary supplement with your conventional medical treatment.

Best Supplements for Osteoarthritis

These three supplements show the most promise (backed by research) for helping people with osteoarthritis.

• Glucosamine sulfate has been researched in over 20 studies regarding osteoarthritis.  Most of the studies used a brand called Dona by Rotta Pharmaceuticals.  According to these studies, glucosamine sulfate reduces arthritis knee pain and improves knee function; provides longer-lasting pain relief than other analgesics (like ibuprofen); and reduces osteoarthritis progression.
• Chondroitin sulfate is a molecule that gives cartilage its resistance and elasticity.  According to preliminary studies, chondroitin sulfate may improve osteoarthritis symptoms and slow its progressions; and reduce pain and improve function when taken with analgesics.
• SAMe(s-adenosylmethionine) may help increase the production of cartilage cells and thickness and effectively reduce pain and inflammation with fewer side effects that other pain killers, according to research.  But it may not be safe for people taking medication for bipolar or depressive disorders, since SAMe can affect serotonin levels.

There is nothing wrong with looking for alternatives to treating osteoarthritis.  But remember to discuss supplementation with your health care provider before making a decision on your own.

Exercise Improves Osteoarthritis

Experts think that people with arthritis may fear that exercise will worsen their pain or harm their joints, but that couldn't be further from the truth.  Physical activity really does make a difference!  Research show a positive relationship between arthritis and exercise.

• A 14-year study published in Arthritis Research and Therapy, found that aerobic exercise was associated with a substantial and significant reduction in pain among men and women of various shapes and sizes.
• A 2003 study published in Journal of Arthritis and Rheumotologyfound that people with arthritis can safely improve their levels of physical fitness using a regular strength and endurance training program.
• Long-term studies have shown that moderate weight-bearing activity can reduce bone loss and joint damage in people with arthritis, without increasing pain or disease severity.
• According to a study in the Journal of the American Medical Association, strength training can help people with arthritis preserve bone density and improve muscle mass, strength and balance.

It's no secret that exercise is beneficial for people with arthritis.  Regular exercise helps decrease pain, delays disability, reduces stiffness, and improves mobility, range of motion, and overall function. Exercise doesn't have to be strenuous to offer benefits.