OVERVIEW:
Osteoarthritis (OA) is the most common chronic joint condition.
A joint is where two bones come together. The ends of these bones are covered with protective tissue called cartilage. With OA, this cartilage breaks down, causing the bones within the joint to rub together. This can cause pain, stiffness, and other symptoms.
OA occurs most often in older people, although it can occur in adults of any age. OA is also called degenerative joint disease, degenerative arthritis, and wear-and-tear arthritis.
Osteoarthritis symptoms can usually be managed, although the damage to joints can't be reversed. Staying active, maintaining a healthy weight and receiving proper Homeopathy treatment will slow down the progression of the disease and help improve pain and joint function.
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. Your joint might feel tender when you apply light pressure to or near it.
· Loss of flexibility. You might not be able to move your joint through its full range of motion.
· Grating sensation. You might feel a grating sensation when you use the joint, and you might hear 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
ETIOLOGY
OA is caused by joint damage. This damage can accumulate over time, which is why age is one of the main causes of the joint damage leading to osteoarthritis. The older you are, the more wear and tear you’ve had on your joints.
Other causes of joint damage include past injury, such as:
torn cartilage
dislocated joints
ligament injuries
They also include joint malformation, obesity, and poor posture. Certain risk factors, such as family history and gender, increase your risk of osteoarthritis.
RISK FACTORS
Factors that can increase your risk of osteoarthritis include:
· Older age. The risk of osteoarthritis increases with age.
· Sex. Women are more likely to develop osteoarthritis, though it isn't clear why.
· Obesity. Carrying extra body weight contributes to osteoarthritis in several ways, and the more you 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. Even injuries that occurred many years ago and seemingly healed can increase your risk of osteoarthritis.
· Repeated stress on the joint. If your job or a sport you play places repetitive stress on a joint, that joint might eventually develop 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).
Osteoarthritis v/s Rheumatoid Arthritis
OA and rheumatoid arthritis (RA) share the same symptoms but are very different conditions. OA is a degenerative condition, which means that it increases in severity over time. RA, on the other hand, is an autoimmune disorder.
People with RA have immune systems that mistake the soft lining around joints to be a threat to the body, causing it to attack that area. This soft lining, which includes the synovial fluid, is called the synovium. As the immune system launches its assault, fluid buildup within the joint occurs, causing stiffness, pain, swelling, and inflammation.
Homeopathic Approach To OA:
Homeopathy is a safe and trusted way to treat knee pain effectively. Homeopathic medicines are made from natural ingredients and are thus free from side-effects. Homeopathic remedies go to the root cause of the pain and treat it to ensure long-term relief. Homeopathic treatment also treats the different underlying ailments that may be causing or aggravating the pain, thus providing holistic relief. The medicines can be safely taken by people of all age groups without any fear of addiction. Some Homeopathic medicines which help in controlling the progress of OA and pain management are:
Rhus Tox
Ruta
Causticum
Bryonia
Guiacum
Aconite
Belladona
Calcarea Phos
Ledum Pal etc,
Management of OA
Exercise
Physical activity strengthens the muscles around your joints and may help relieve stiffness. Aim for at least 20 to 30 minutes of physical movement, at least every other day. Choose gentle, low-impact activities, such as walking or swimming. Tai chi and yoga can also improve joint flexibility and help with pain management.
Weight loss
Being overweight can put strain on your joints and cause pain. Shedding excess pounds helps relieve this pressure and reduces pain. A healthy weight can also lower your risk of other health problems, such as diabetes and heart disease.
Adequate sleep
Resting your muscles can reduce swelling and inflammation. Be kind to yourself and don’t overdo it. Getting enough sleep at night can also help you to manage pain more effectively.
Heat and cold therapy
You can experiment with heat or cold therapy to relieve muscle pain and stiffness. Apply a cold or hot compress to sore joints for 15 to 20 minutes several times a day.
These practices can help take the edge off of your symptoms and improve your quality of life.