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Osteoarthritis

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Osteoarthritis Treatment & Diagnostics in Chunni Ganj, Kanpur

Osteoarthritis

Out of nearly 100 types of arthritis, Osteoarthritis is the most commonly found chronic joint condition. It can affect anybody, but its risk increases with age.

As we grow older, our joints get weaker and we are at higher risk of having osteoarthritis. Both men and women are at equal risk but men are more prone to OA at a younger age. Whereas, women are more likely to get OA over the age of 50.

What is Osteoarthritis?

Osteoarthritis is the inflammation in joints that leads to pain and discomfort. The main reason for this pain is the gradual degeneration of cartilage in joints.

Cartilage works as a defensive layer that protects the ends of bones in a joint. It reduces friction and stimulates smooth movement. If the cartilage deteriorates, the bones will rub together causing pain and restricted movement.

What are the Symptoms of OA?

Osteoarthritis is a condition that progresses over time. Therefore, symptoms are visible only after the cartilage starts wearing away.

The early symptoms of osteoarthritis are:

  • Pain
  • Tenderness
  • Stiffness
  • Inflammation

If you confuse these symptoms with normal body pain and delay your treatment, the severity of OA will keep increasing. This negligence will result in severe symptoms like:

  • Swelling in joints
  • Increased pain
  • Loss of range of motion
  • Joint instability
  • Complete loss of cartilage

It is better to recognize the condition at an early stage and stabilize it. Without proper treatment, the OA will start hindering your daily life.

What are the Causes of OA?

The chances of having OA are increased significantly after the age of 50. As we grow older, the amount of synovial fluid in our joints decreases and cartilage becomes thinner.

However, it doesn't affect everybody. Certain factors increase the risk of having OA in our body:

Injuries:

Some injuries can do permanent damage to your joints. Torn cartilage or ligaments may heal with time but it increases the chances of having OA in that joint.

Our joints withstand a lot of wear and tear with age. All the joints become weaker but a joint that sustained damage is more likely to have OA.

Obesity:

Vital joints like knees, hips, and spine hold the weight of our bodies. If you are obese, the burden on these joints increases exponentially. To save your joints from the excessive burden, you should maintain your body weight.

Obesity not only increases the risk but also increases the rate of progression of OA. If you already have OA, losing excess weight will stabilize the condition.

Over usage:

If your lifestyle requires excess usage of your joints, you will fall prey to osteoarthritis pretty soon. You should strengthen your muscles to share the burden on your joints. In this way, you can follow your lifestyle without the fear of OA.

Heredity:

In some cases, osteoarthritis runs in the family. The main reason behind this factor is a certain gene responsible for making defective cartilage.

Defective cartilage will deteriorate faster than the healthier ones. Therefore, people with OA in the family should take better care of their joints.

When to See a Doctor?

The early symptoms of arthritis are not very alarming but they can get worse if you choose to ignore them. The longer you wait, the harder it becomes to treat.

The damage inflicted on your cartilage is irreversible. You can stop OA from getting any worse but you can't repair your cartilage naturally.

It is wise to see a doctor as soon as you see early symptoms of OA. In the worst-case scenario, it will limit your range of motion, which in turn limits your daily activities.

Request an appointment at Apollo Spectra Hospitals, Kanpur

Call 1860-500-2244 to book an appointment

How to Prevent Osteoarthritis?

Some factors like age and heredity are inevitable. However, you can work on other factors that lead to OA.

To prevent OA, you need to make some changes in your lifestyle:

  • Support your joints: If you are a sportsperson or follow an active lifestyle, you should provide extra support to your joints. Using supporters and cushioned shoes will reduce the impact on your joints. Also, work on your posture to have a balanced movement.
  • Maintain body weight: Maintaining the ideal body weight can prevent OA. A balanced weight will reduce the burden on your joints, which in turn gives you healthier joints.
  • Get enough sleep: Maintaining a proper sleeping cycle will give ample rest to your joints. Give your body enough time to recover from the built-up fatigue.

OA is chronic, hence, there is no cure for it. It is always better to prevent it beforehand.

How is Osteoarthritis Diagnosed?

OA is hard to diagnose until it starts showing early symptoms. Often people get X-rays done after an accident or injury, that is when OA comes to light.

In addition, your doctor at Apollo Spectra, Kanpur, might use an MRI scan to have a better understanding of the situation of your bone and soft tissue.

There are many other diagnostic tests to determine the root cause of the condition. They conduct tests to confirm if it is an autoimmune disorder. The excess synovial fluid can also be tested to ascertain if it's an infection or not.

What are the Best Osteoarthritis Treatments?

Osteoarthritis treatment is all about maintaining your symptoms. The location and severity of arthritis determine the type of treatment that will work for you.

A change in lifestyle, diet, and some natural treatments can help with pain and inflammation. However, over-the-counter medications are not the best course of action. You need to see a doctor that will prescribe medication accordingly.

OA treatment includes:

You should consult your doctor before initiating any treatment. A professional in Kanpur can recommend the most effective therapy for you.

If you have OA in your joints, you should eat food that is rich in the following nutrients:

  • Exercises: Strengthening the muscles around your joints will reduce the burden on your joints. It can reduce stiffness and pain. Increasing joint flexibility can also reduce pain. Instead of doing intense exercises, you should start slow and make your way towards heavy exercises.
  • Hot and Cold compression: Compressing your joints with an ice pack and hot water bottle can relieve pain and stiffness.
  • Natural Treatment: Certain natural treatments can relieve joint pain. Some of the effective natural treatments are:
    • Acupuncture
    • Physical Therapy
    • Massage Therapy
  • Healthy Diet: Healthy diet is an important aspect of life. A healthy diet can reduce the symptoms of OA.
    • Vitamin C
    • Vitamin D
    • Beta-carotene
    • Omega-3 fatty acids

Switching to a nutritious diet will help you with inflammation and pain.

Conclusion

Osteoarthritis is a lasting condition. The loss of cartilage by OA is irreversible. As of now, there is no cure for OA but with proper treatment, it can be prevented from getting any worse. Early treatment is the best way to counter OA.

1. What are the risk factors for developing OA?

Risk factors for OA include age, gender, obesity, sports, and prolonged standing or walking.

2. What is the best exercise for OA?

Exercises such as yoga, swimming, tai chi, and cycling are best for people with OA.

3. What are the best foods for people with OA?

Food and drinks such as green tea, garlic, bell peppers, and citrus foods are great for people with OA.

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