Osteoarthritis -- How is it Affecting the Aging US Population?

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Article Title:

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Osteoarthritis -- How is it Affecting the Aging US Population?

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As the " baby boomer generation " ages, doctors predict there

will be a staggering growth in the cases of Osteoarthritis (OA).

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Distribution Date and Time: Tue Feb 14 08:47:54 EST 2006

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Copyright: 2006,

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Osteoarthritis -- How is it Affecting the Aging US Population?

Copyright © 2006 Kamau Austin,

DBA AdPro Media Sales

http://www.healthandfitnessvitality.com/blogs/fitnessblog.htm

As the " baby boomer generation " ages, doctors predict there

will be a staggering growth in the cases of Osteoarthritis

(OA). Although OA affects the quality of life for many

people as they age, few people are familiar with the term

Osteoarthritis.

Osteoarthritis is one of the most common forms of arthritis.

It is one of the main causes of disability in older adults.

OA's impact and toll on the US health care system is

immense.

Until the 1980s, OA was considered a progressive

degenerative disorder. It was considered one of the

inevitable results of age.

Back in the 80s it was assumed that Osteoarthritis developed

because of the long time normal wear and tear of joints.

This was viewed as naturally occurring with age.

However, new research has altered this perception to a large

extent. Research shows that there may be other factors

associated with OA.

-- Major Factors of Osteoarthritis --

- Water Retention

- Heredity

- Obesity

One of the major symptoms of this disease is the swelling of

the joints due to result of water retention. The cartilage

in your joints may retain water. This brings about changes

in the bone underlying the cartilage (called the subchondral

bone).

This is especially noticeable the joints which bear the

weight of the body, for example knees and hips. OA results

from an inflammation of the joints; this is also called

joint incongruity.

This is a particularly painful condition which hampers the

movement of the afflicted joint to a large extent.

Physicians predict a very strong connection between OA and

heredity.

Obesity is another major risk factor which contributes to

this disorder. This is because the weight bearing joints

(knees, hips) of an overweight person would have to function

under greater pressure.

As the body grows older, the cartilage component of our

skeletal framework gradually loses its ability to repair

itself. Thus, OA has come to be largely associated with

aging. Some scientists predict that nutrition (or lack of

it) may also be a contributing factor. Supplements like

Phosoplex is gaining popularity with helping to offset this

condition.

Minerals like calcium and vitamins like C and D are

essential to the formation of strong bones. New research is

being conducted to find out whether a lack of these elements

can contribute to the development of OA as the person grows

older.

Some genetic and heredity conditions relating to the

skeletal framework may also play role in the onset of OA --

bone dysplasias and charcot joints. Some physicians also

point towards the Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome.

If an injured joint has not been properly aligned, the risk

of OA increases for that particular joint. There are a

couple of occupational factors too which contribute to OA.

Any joint, which is being repetitively used or overworked,

is susceptible to OA disease. This is because these tasks

also over tax the muscles.

Overtaxing a particular muscle which protects a joint also

increases the risk of OA.

Pain is one of the primary symptoms of this disease. The

frequency and level of this pain may increase over a period

of months, even years.

While it impairs free movement, the condition might also

worsen with enforced activity. Doctors strongly advise rest

in such cases as the pain usually subsides after a period of

inactivity.

OA symptoms also include certain stiffness in the joints in

the mornings. However, it does not usually last for more

than half an hour. The joint will also feel stiff after a

long period of rest but this stiffness would most likely go

away after a few minutes.

Exercises, like weight lifting and that intent on

strengthening the muscles will also help. Treatment with

drugs can only help to relieve the pain. You might also want

to apply cold packs to the inflamed joint. Surgery is

absolutely the last resort. It includes options like partial

or complete joint replacement – these are relatively safe

procedures.

The implications of this disease on the ageing US population

are quite immense. It was predicted that on the year 2003,

almost 70 million Americans suffered from OA and other

related disorders.

This number is expected to drastically go up as the 'baby

boomer' generation grows older annually. OA has been the

cause of 32 million physician visits and has resulted on the

hospitalization of over 2.3 million patients.

There isn't any universal cure for Osteoarthritis. However

proper supplementation provides a ray of hope in the care of

OA. Natural products such as Phosoplex™ available from

Amazon or from www.BODeStore.com , can actually help to

support healthy cartilage, relieve pain and provide

lubrication to your joints.

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Kamau Austin is a health and fitness enthusiast and

advocate. He writes on a regular basis on timeless

health and fitness tips at the Fit After Forty Blog.

See more useful health and fitness news and tips at...

http://www.healthandfitnessvitality.com/blogs/fitnessblog.htm

This Article must be published with a disclaimer as such...

This article is for general information purposes only. Before

under taking any exercise or treatment program always first

check first with your doctor and health professionals.