You may use this image in your ezine or website if you choose to publish my article. Click here to see the picture full-sized.--- Kamau Austin

The Mayo Clinic refers to osteoarthritis as a "wear and tear" 
condition that effects people as they age.  It is a degenerative 
disease and is the most common form of arthritis. It is one of 
the most common causes of disability among adults.   More than 20 
million people in the United States have the disease. Researchers 
project that in the next 25 years over 20% of Americans-beyond 
the age of 65 will be at risk for osteoarthritis. 

Today, more than half of the population age 65 or older would
show x-ray evidence of osteoarthritis in at least one joint.   
Both men and women have the disease with more men getting the
disease before age 45, and more women getting the disease after
that point.

Osteoarthritis may affect any joint in the body and it is
characterized by a breakdown in the cartilage between the
joints.  The most common joints affected are the hips, knees,
lower back, fingers and feet.

Osteoarthritis often develops slowly and quite often there are
no symptoms.  A person affected with the disease may not know
that they have it until it is revealed during a routine x-ray.

People with osteoarthritis may have one or more of the
following symptoms.  

 - Pain in a joint during or after use; or after a period of
inactivity, such as after a night's sleep.

 - Pain in a joint during a change in weather.

 - Swelling or pain in a joint, after use.

 - Bony lumps on the end or middle joints of the hands

 - Loss of flexibility 


Interestingly, the first year of onset of the disease may bring
acute pain, that then fades within a year or so of its
appearance.  This is especially true of osteoarthritis of the
fingers.

The exact cause of osteoarthritis is not known but some
researchers believe that we are more susceptible to 
osteoarthritis as we age. It may be caused by a combination of 
factors, including being overweight, aging, a previous joint
injury, heredity and muscle weakness.  

The pain of osteoarthritis can range from that of a  minor
inconvenience for some sufferers, to chronic and debilitating
for others.  In cases where pain is severe, joint replacement
surgery may be considered.

There is no cure for osteoarthritis, and treatment is geared
towards reducing pain and increasing joint. Treatment may
include medication, physical therapy, occupational therapy and
self-care.  

Pharmaceutical medication is used to treat the pain and may
include, over the counter topical pain relievers that are rubbed
into the skin at the effective joint, NSAIDs and acetaminophen
taken internally to help with pain.   

Prescription medications may include COX-2 inhibitors such as
Celebrex may be considered for relieving pain, But both Celebrex
and the recently removed from the market drug, Vioxx, are now
linked with some rather serious side effects including, high
blood pressure, and an increased risk of stroke and heart attack.

For some people, a side effect of living with chronic pain is
depression.  Since disturbances in sleep may accompany
osteoarthritis, anti depressants may be prescribed because they
can reduce chronic pain a well as help to alleviate sleep
disturbances.  

From time to time a doctor may suggest that an osteoarthritis
patient receive injections of corticosteroid, which when
injected into the joint space can offer some relief from pain
and inflammation.  

Surgical procedures can provide pain relief and relieve
disability that may result from the deterioration of the joints.
These procedures may include joint replacement; repositioning
bones and fusing bones.  

The surgical procedures and prescription medications may be
overkill in the case where the osteoarthritis sufferer has only
mild pain and inflammation.  There is much that the mild or
occasional sufferer can do to alleviate their pain on their own.  

Life-style changes can help the condition so dramatically that
it is sometimes the only treatment the occasional suffered will
need.

Some things that you can do to help with the pain and stiffness
are:

 * Exercise regularly  

 * Control your weight 

 * Eat a healthy diet

 * Apply heat to alleviate pain

 * Choose appropriate footwear to help support your back and hip 
joints.

 * Apply cold for occasional flare-ups 

 * Practice relaxation techniques 


In all cases osteoarthritis sufferers can benefit from making
some changes in how they approach everyday activities.
  
 - Arm yourself with information and a "can do" attitude: Work
with your health care professional to take control of your 
treatment and actively manage your arthritis.
 
 - Make use of a brace or cane if needed. A brace can greatly
help to support a painful knee. And walking with a cane can help
support an ailing hip.

 - Keep activity within your limits. Osteoarthritis can make you
prone to fatigue and muscle weakness. Take a short nap or rest
when you fell tired.
 
 - Avoid straining your finger joints. Use a kitchen tool or hot
water to help with opening jars and bottles.  Kitchen centers
and hardware stores are beginning to carry a supply of kitchen
aids to help with simple tasks that may be difficult for
osteoarthritis sufferers.

 - Take breaks. Periodically relax and stretch.
 
 - Maintain good posture. Good posture more evenly distributes
your body weight making it easier to support. 


Regardless of the approaches that people take to dealing with
their osteoarthritis almost everyone can benefit from the use 
of natural supplements.  Glucosamine. is a naturally occurring
substance that has been shown to be extremely effective in
treating osteoarthritis. 

Phosoplex™ is a natural supplement takes glucosamine one step
better by combining it with Bio Cell Collagen II, a
concentration of many elements including glucosamine. 

The makers of Phosoplex™ have a valid point when they tell us
"...If we consume only single elements involved in the complex
process of keeping our joints and other connective tissue
healthy we could only expect partial effectiveness." Phosoplex™
with its full spectrum of essential elements provides broader
nutritional support aiding the overall health of individuals
joints. 
 

More information about  Phosoplex™ can be found at: 
http://www.bodestore.com/phosoplex.html

Kamau Austin and Stephanie McIntyre are health and fitness 
enthusiasts and advocates. They write 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