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Osteoarthritis: What Is It??

Osteoarthritis is a common type of arthritis, specially among older people. It is sometimes called degenerative joint disease or osteoarthrosis.

Its chief effect is on cartilage . At the ends of the bones in your joints is a slippery tissue, that’s cartilage!. Healthy cartilage allows bones to glide over each other and in addition it absorbs energy from the shock of physical movement.

In osteoarthritis, the surface layer of cartilage breaks down and wears away. This allows bones under the cartilage to rub together which causes pain, swelling, and loss of motion of the joint. Over time the joint can lost the normal shape.. Also, bone spurs–small growths called osteophytes–may grow on the edges of the joint.

Bits of bone or cartilage can break off and float inside the joint space. This causes more pain and damage. You can read more about osteoarthritis signs and symptoms at www.1st-for-health.com, as well as other health issues.

People with osteoarthritis usually have joint pain and limited movement. Unlike some other forms of arthrits, osteoarthritis affects only joints and not internal organs. For example, rheumatoid arthritis–the second most common form of arthritis–affects other parts of the body besides the joints. Generally it starts at an earlier age than osteo, and it causes swelling and redness in joints, and may make people feel sick, tired, and (uncommonly) feverish.

As with anything medical related, you should consult your own doctor before doing anything health related, or making any changes. This post is not intended to replace professional medical advice and treatment and does not diagnose any ailment

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Kerry in Articles on October 12 2009 » Comments are closed.