About Osteoarthritis

Osteoarthritis is a health condition where some joints of the human body break down, and finally the cartilage is lost. The protein substance that is found between the bones of one’s joints and serves basically as a cushion between such joints are known as cartilage. Another name for this health condition is degenerative arthritis.

Osteoarthritis common type

There are well over a hundred various types of arthritis conditions but the one that is known to be common among them is the Osteoarthritis. This health condition occurs at a higher percentage in men and usually occurs before they get to 45 years of age. On the part of the women, those who tend to suffer from the condition normally start experiencing it from the age of 55 years and above. The parts of the body that it affects to a large extent are the feet, spine, hands and other joints of the body that is known to carry much weight like the knees and the hip joints.

One may ponder and then want to know the things that cause the onset of Osteoarthritis. It is pertinent to note that this condition is divided into primary and secondary categories.

Primary on Osteoarthritis

The primary Osteoarthritis is the type of this health condition that is associated to age. Research has shown that as one gets older, the level or quantity of water contained in the cartilage tends to increase while at the same time, the protein that makes up the cartilage reduces. As one continues to make use of these joints as the years progresses, the cartilage is irritated more, which leads to inflammation that does nothing but cause incessant pain to the sufferer. There are known extreme cases where the person experiencing such condition suffers complete loss of the cushion of the cartilage that is normally between the bones of one’s joints. This leads to constant friction of the bones of the affected joints which in turn leads to one suffering excruciating pains and sometimes limited mobility of the affected joints. In other cases, this swelling of the cartilage spurs the outgrowth of new bones around the affected joints.

The secondary Osteoarthritis is the type that emanates from a different health condition or disease which includes but not limited to obesity, congenital abnormalities, diabetes, gout and various disorders of the hormone. Recurring surgery on certain joints could also lead to this health condition. On the part of those who are obese, when the person’s cartilage suffers any form of an increase in mechanical stress, which results from obesity, it leads to one suffering from this health condition. Depositing of crystals in one’s cartilage normally leads to the deterioration of the cartilage which in turns leads to the onset of the condition. There are also others who were actually born with one abnormal joint or the other. In most cases, these types of joints are prone to wear and tear, which may lead to the joints deteriorating and finally, loss of cartilage within the affected joint. Instability in one’s hormone levels is also known to cause a wear and tear of the cartilage.Learn more Osteoarthritis by your own research