Arthritis is a painful condition that may stop you from doing the things that you love. The pain of this condition can affect almost any and every joint of the body. It most often affects the hands, knees, hips, neck and also the lower back. The condition gets worse over time and no cure is known. There are, however, treatments that can bring pain relief and help the patient become active once again.
While doctors are unsure of the actual cause of osteoarthritis, it is suspected that the condition is caused by several contributing factors. These factors include: aging, injury, heredity, weak muscles and obesity.
People do not normally begin to be aware of osteoarthritis until they reach about forty. This particular form of arthritis is more likely to develop in women. Sports injury are once of the factors that have been linked to the disease. Additionally, if your work puts extra stress on your joints it may be a factor in its development.
As time passes, osteoarthritis can become worse. Pain at times can be so severe that a person is no longer able to work or even enjoy their hobbies. The disease may progress to the point that your doctor suggests joint replacement surgery.
Several medications do help with the disease. Some of these are available over the counter and include acetaminophen that helps with pain, NASIDs that help with both pain relief and to relieve swelling. Ibuprofen is a NASID.
If you are not having success with over the counter medications, the doctor may write a prescription for Tramadol, Darvon or one of the many codeine derivatives. Many doctors also use cortisone shots to help to relieve swelling and pain.
In addition, some people find help from a natural remedy called glucosamine. This naturally occurring substance is useful in rebuilding the skeletal structure that may have been lost due to osteoarthritis. Costco offers their own Kirkland glucosamine that is affordable and a very good product.
If you can find the correct treatments, you will be able to feel better and enjoy work and hobbies once again.
It may be time to dust off the old dreadnought acoustic guitar and play a few tunes or get together with the old garage band again. Fingers that had lost their flexibility may once again be nimble enough to play like a young rock star.
If you have given up video games because of osteoarthritis, then when you find the correct treatment you had better dig out the ps2 transformers because you are soon going to be king of the video game.
