What is Osteoarthritis

Osteoarthritis is a condition that normally occurs as a result of wear and tear on the joints. It develops mostly in older people, in the larger, weight-bearing joints including the hips, knees and spine. The person with this disease are not always inflamed. What happens is that the smooth lining of a joint, which is known as the articular cartilage, begins to flake and crack because of over-use or injury. As the cartilage deteriorates, the underlying bone is affected, and may become thickened and distorted. Movement becomes painful and restricted, causing you to use associated muscles less often. The unused muscles may gradually waste away. This is a natrual reaction of muscles that go unused anywhere in the body.
Symptoms are Episodes of pain, swelling and stiffness in the affected joint occur. Pain that begins as a minor discomfort may become severe enough to disturb sleep and interfere with everday life. As the joint continues to degenerate and becomes more and more stiff and immobile it may become less painful. The pain itself is often deceptive. You may feel it directly in the area of the joint or it may be trasmitted to other parts of the body. It is called referred pain. For example, if the affected joint is the hip it may be felt most painfully in the knee.
Excess weight is hard on these joints. Losing weight will help. Use a walking stick or cane, take frequent rests, sleep on a firm bed.
It is important that you do not allow the muscles around you osteoarthritic joint to be come weak through disuse. Regular exercise will strenthen your muscles and in the long run minimize your pain. Asprin helps me and Nichols Soap N Stuff Muscle/Joint Rub will relieve pain and help relax the area and muscles. I use this before bed and before I excersize and it isn't as painful. http://stores.ebay.com/Nichols-Soap-N-Stuff_Emu-Lotions_W0QQcolZ4QQdirZQ2d1QQfsubZ3QQftidZ2QQpZ3QQtZkm
It has glucosime in it which is known to help rebuild cartilage. It isn't a cure but it sure does relieve the pain and stiffness for awhile. It helps me about 4 hours at a time. Be sure to put it on before going to bed if your pain keeps you awake nights.

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