Signs Indicative of Osteoarthritis: A Look
Osteoarthritis, a common degenerative joint disease, often affects adults in the United States, particularly in the early stages, targeting the knees, hips, hands, spine, and feet.
In the initial stages, pain associated with osteoarthritis is often predictable, with certain activities triggering pain in distinct areas. For instance, knees may cause pain when walking, climbing stairs, or standing up, accompanied by stiffness and swelling. Hips may present pain in the groin or inner thigh area, while hands, specifically the base of the thumb and joints closest to fingertips, may become tender. Spine involvement, be it in the neck or lower back, can lead to pain and limited mobility.
As the condition progresses, symptoms may worsen, and a person may experience a worsening of symptoms at the end of the day and at night. However, in the early stages, these symptoms are less pronounced.
Tenderness in a person's joints can indicate the early stages of osteoarthritis. Other signs to be aware of include pain and swelling in the joints, joint tenderness, joint stiffness, redness on joints (though this may be difficult to see on darker skin), warmth around the joints, and loss in the range of motion. A person with early osteoarthritis may also begin to hear their joints making sounds such as creaking, cracking, and popping.
To manage osteoarthritis in its early stages, nonpharmacological methods such as exercising, stretching, and maintaining a moderate weight may be recommended. Low impact exercises that build muscle around the affected joints can ease stress on joints and improve a person's balance to reduce the risk of falls and injury. Stretching can help to improve a person's mobility and reduce joint stiffness.
If symptoms persist for longer than 3 days or occur several times within a month, a person should speak with a doctor. As the condition progresses, doctors may recommend a combination of medication and lifestyle changes to minimize pain and maintain quality of life. For those who have obesity or overweight, losing weight may reduce stress on weight-bearing joints.
During the development of osteoarthritis, cartilage gradually hardens, and crepitus can occur, which is a grinding sound that can happen when bone rubs against cartilage or other bones. Swelling visible around the joint may be more prevalent in the later stages of osteoarthritis.
Osteoarthritis is a degenerative condition that causes the bones in the joints to thin and weaken. It's essential to address the symptoms early to manage the condition effectively and maintain a good quality of life.
- Other common joint pain, such as in the hips or hips causing pain in the groin or inner thigh area, could hint at osteoarthritis in its early stages.
- In some cases, the base of a person's hands may also become tender, often the joints closest to fingertips, which could signify the beginnings of osteoarthritis.
- Being aware of chronic diseases or medical-conditions such as chronic-kidney-disease, Alzheimer's, otherpain, mental-health, skin-care, nutrition, or fitness-and-exercise may help in managing osteoarthritis and ensuring overall health-and-wellness.
- Naive beliefs that osteoarthritis affects only the elderly or that it can be cured with admiration for the painkillers alone can lead to worsening symptoms in the long run according to science.
- Incorporating CBD oil into a wellness routine might contribute to managing osteoarthritis symptoms due to its anti-inflammatory properties, helping to alleviate joint pain.
- As osteoarthritis progresses, the joints may lose their flexibility, leading to decreased range of motion and making simple daily activities more challenging.
- In later stages, osteoarthritis could exacerbate symptoms commonly associated with chronic-diseases, such as chronic-joint-pain and stiffness, which may affect a person's mental health and overall quality of life.
