Osteoarthritis is one of the most common types of arthritis. This condition causes joint stiffness and pain. OA develops slowly, overtime and may affect different joints. However, it is more common in the spine, feet, hips, knees, and hands. Although there is no cure for osteoarthritis, the symptoms can be relieved after a few years. Here is an overview of what osteoarthritis is, causes, risk factors, symptoms, and pain relief methods.

What is Osteoarthritis?

Osteoarthritis is a type of arthritis characterized by the disintegration and gradual loss of the cartilage in a person's joints. Cartilage is the protein substance that cushions the bones of your joints. Cartilage is a slippery and firm tissue that allows your joints to move without any friction. When you suffer from osteoarthritis, the slippery surface of your cartilage becomes rough, and when it finally wears down, your bones rub against each other when you are moving.

What Causes Osteoarthritis?

Primary osteoarthritis does not occur due to disease or injury. Instead, it is partly caused by aging. As you grow older, the cartilage gains more water while its protein makeup degenerates. The cartilage starts to form tiny crevasses as it degenerates. In advanced cases, a person losses the entire cushion between their bones. Repetitive use of the joints irritates and inflames the cartilage resulting in swelling and joint pain. Cartilage loss causes pain and limits joint mobility. When the cartilage is inflamed, it may trigger new bone outgrowths. Osteoarthritis mostly occurs in men before they reach 45 years and in women after they reach 55 years. Osteoarthritis often develops in several members of the same family meaning it can develop due to genetics. Therefore, osteoarthritis occurs due to a combination of all the factors named above that eventually lead to the disintegration of the cartilage in the joints.

Additional causes of osteoarthritis include:

• Obesity: When your body has excess weight, it puts pressure on weight bearing joints like the knees and hips. Additionally, fat tissue contains proteins that are likely to cause an inflammation in your joints.
• Joint injuries: Past injuries that seemed to have healed or those that occur during sports or after an accident can increase the likelihood of developing osteoarthritis.
• Certain occupations: Tasks that put repetitive stress on particular joints may cause these joints to develop osteoarthritis.
• Bone deformities: People born with defective cartilage or malformed joints are susceptible to osteoarthritis.

What are the Symptoms of Osteoarthritis?

• Pain after or during movement
• Tenderness of the joints
• Stiffness of the joints
• Deterioration of flexibility
• Grating sensation when you use the affected joint
• Bone spurs or bits of bones that form and feel like lumps that surround the affected joint

What are the Pain Relief Methods For Osteoarthritis?

There is no cure for osteoarthritis instead the aim of treatment is to relieve pain. The common treatments for osteoarthritis include lifestyle changes and supportive therapies.

Lifestyle Changes

• Exercises Exercise is an important treatment for those suffering from osteoarthritis. Your physical fitness schedule should involve exercises that improve your fitness and strengthen your muscles. Exercise is good for shedding excess weight, relieving stress, and improving posture, all of which ease the symptoms of osteoarthritis.
• A Balanced Diet One of the most common approaches for pain relief for osteoarthritis includes a change of diet. Studies have proven that various nutrients can help ease the symptoms of arthritis. These include foods that are packed with Vitamin C, Omega-3 fatty acids, and healthy fats. Most of these nutrients are found in fruits, vegetables, fish, and whole grains.

Supportive Therapies

• Hot or Cold Packs Hot packs are used to ease stiffness and pain, as well as to increase blood flow. On the other hand, cold compresses help reduce swelling.
• Assistive Devices If your osteoarthritis causes mobility problems, your physician could recommend any of a collection of assistive devices. These include foot wear that has shock absorbing soles, leg braces, walking aids, and a splint.
• Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation During this treatment, a machine is used to send electrical impulses through electrodes attached to your skin. This numbs the nerves that control pain and eventually eases pain in your joints.

Top 5 Routes for "Pain Relief For Osteoarthritis"

1. NHS.UK A website that publishes informative articles on the definition, causes, and treatment of different health conditions.
2. WebMd.com A website that acts as a source of information related to medical research and health conditions.
3. Arthritiscare.org.uk This is a resource for patients suffering from arthritis in the UK. It provides the latest research and information regarding arthritis.
4. Mayoclinic.org A health resource that covers research on different medical conditions.
5. Medicine.net A website that provides health related articles for researchers, students, and a general audience willing to educate themselves about different medical conditions.