Osteoarthritis - What You Can Do to Prevent It

Osteoarthritis is a type of disease from the arthritis family which is caused due to the wear and tear of the joints. It is a degenerative disease associated with the breakdown of cartilage in the joints. Cartilage is a tough but elastic tissue that acts as a cushion between two bones, enabling smooth movements of the joints and also preventing them from damage due to sudden jerks. Breakdown in the cartilage leads to deteriorating joints as the friction between the bones increases. This leads to severe pain, swelling and difficulty in movement.

Causes of Osteoarthritis

Studies suggest that men over the age of 70 and women over the age of 50 are more likely to be affected by this disease. After menopause sets in, women are more susceptible to this disease, since there is a drop in the oestrogenic hormone levels, which leads to faster degeneration of the cartilage. However, old age is not the only cause of this disease; people of any age can be affected by it. Heredity is another reason that can cause this disease, particularly affecting the hands and the hip. Research suggests that inherited irregularities in the structure of the cartilage can lead to the onset of osteoarthritis.

Obesity is one of the main causes of developing this disease, particularly in the knee and the hip since these joints carry the body weight all the time. Excess weight causes increased pressure on them leading to pain and inflammation. Sportspersons are also very susceptible to this disease. This is because their joints and bones are used excessively, leading to higher levels of cartilage degeneration. For example, football players can develop osteoarthritis of the hip and cyclists can develop osteoarthritis of the knees.

Tips for prevention of Osteoarthritis

Keeping your weight under control and exercising regularly can help keep osteoarthritis at bay. However, incorrect method of exercising can increase the pressure on your joints, thereby affecting them adversely. Hence exercising under proper guidance can help keep your joints fit. Boot camp workouts are easily one of the better options to help keep your bones and joints in shape. These workouts are high intensity, resistance building and muscle strengthening group activities. Resistance training activities helps reduce joint pains and prevent them from injuries. If you are already suffering from osteoarthritis, you should inform your boot camp instructor in advance, so that he can modify your workout sessions accordingly. However, before you start any new activity, it is important to consult your medical practitioner and go by his advice.

It is advisable for older people to consult their doctor for vitamins and calcium supplements that will help in keeping their joints and bones healthy. If osteoarthritis has already set in, the doctor may prescribe pain killers along with the supplements that will help reduce pain and swelling in the joints.

In case of extreme pain and joints damaged beyond repair, joint replacement surgery may be required.

Recent studies suggest that risk of developing osteoarthritis due to onset of menopause in women, can be reduced to a great extent by hormone replacement surgery.