Friday, October 17, 2008

More About Degenerative Arthritis

By Gary Pearson

Degenerative arthritis is also known as Osteoarthritis, and is a form of arthritis caused by the breakdown of cartilage of one or more joints. Cartilage is the dense connective tissue that protects the joint between bones and serves as a cushion to keep bones from rubbing together.

According to the data present more than 20 million Americans suffer from degenerative arthritis. It is also possible, according to the experts that this number will double or triple in the coming ten years when the baby boomers of today become older.

Aging is the main reason for getting degenerative arthritis. As a matter of fact women above the age of 55 and men more than 45 years of age are susceptible to this kind of arthritis. Race does not have any impact on this condition but more women seem to suffer from degenerative arthritis especially in America.

Degenerative arthritis typically affects the hands, feet, spine, and large weight-bearing joints including the hips and knees.

Primary and secondary are the two kinds of degenerative arthritis. When a person suffers from degenerative arthritis owing to age and deterioration of cartilage then it is termed as primary. There is pain swelling as well as inflammation in the joint due to the complete breakdown of the cartilage leading to chafing between the bones.

When the arthritis is a result of some other medical condition it is known as secondary degenerative arthritis. It is seen in individuals who are suffering from problems like diabetes, hormone unbalance and gout. Some other problems like congenital abnormalities, obesity and repeated trauma or surgery to the joint structures can also be cause of degenerative arthritis.

No other organ of the body is affected by degenerative arthritis other than the joint. If there is swelling redness with pain in the joints it is an important symptom of degenerative arthritis.

Degenerative arthritis has different types of symptoms. There are some people who do not suffer too much while others are just not able to move due to the symptoms of degenerative arthritis. One can't be sure when the symptoms will show up.

As per now no particular treatment for degenerative arthritis has been found. There are some things which can give relief to people like weight loss, rest, exercise, some medicines as well as different types of therapy. There are different ways of taking medicines. You can apply it, take it orally or even take shots if the pain and inflammation becomes very severe. - 15438

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