A disease such as osteoarthritis occurs more often in older people.But taking into account the environment, lifestyle and human nutrition, this disease has become much younger.Now you can meet her even among 20-year-olds.To know how to prevent or prevent the development of said pathology, it is necessary to understand what it is.
Osteoarthritis: what is it?
If we use simple expressions to describe the disease, we can characterize it as a disease of the articular cartilage.It leads to its destruction and alteration of functionality, as well as modifications.Very often, during the above processes, inflammation occurs in the joint capsule itself.Osteoarthritis can affect any joint, but the most commonly affected are those of the hip and knee.
Causes of osteoarthritis
Osteoarthritis, osteoarthritis - these are all other names for osteoarthritis.The disease, as mentioned above, most often affects the elderly population.This is due to old age, which causes alterations in the body's systems.But if a person is still far from gray hair and osteoarthritis has occurred, the following factors may be the reasons for this:
- damage, trauma to the musculoskeletal system.These include bruises, dislocations, tendon ruptures and other types of injuries;
- a congenital disease associated with underdevelopment of the joint.In other words, it is called joint dysplasia;
- improper metabolism in the body;
- drinking large amounts of carbonated drinks, which remove important microelements from the bones;
- improper functioning of the thyroid gland, high blood sugar levels and other disturbances in the human endocrine system;
- hemorrhage in the joint capsule.
The causes of osteoarthritis are very broad.Therefore, to start timely treatment, it is best to consult a doctor who will combat not only the symptoms, but also the cause of the disease.
Osteoarthritis symptoms
The knee joint is usually affected first.Next comes the hip and then the disease spreads to the joints of the big toes of the lower limb.Osteoarthritis rarely affects other joints.To understand if this particular pathology exists, it is necessary to know its symptoms.The important symptoms of osteoarthritis include four components:
- At the initial stage of the disease, joint pain appears during intense movements or stress.More often they are weakly expressed, because of this osteoarthritis begins.The second stage is characterized by pain that arises with minor loads on the damaged joint.In the third, the pain bothers even when you are standing.If a person has problems with the cardiovascular system, pain may occur during weather changes;
- In damaged joints, a dry, harsh crunching sound occurs from time to time.The consequence is friction between the articular surfaces.In the second and third stages, these sounds become more distinct.It is worth noting that the usual creaking in the joints, which is not accompanied by pain, does not indicate the presence of the disease and in no way affects its subsequent appearance;
- Muscle spasms occur, joint space decreases, and bone growths appear.Because of this, the range of motion of the affected joint decreases;
- Gradual modification of the joint.
The symptoms of osteoarthritis and arthritis have many similarities.For this reason, some people confuse these two concepts, or consider them the same.But thinking like that is a mistake.These are different diseases.The main difference is that with osteoarthritis the pain occurs when moving during the day.With arthritis, the pain does not depend on movement and appears at night.They are sharper and more intense.
Types of osteoarthritis
The species diversity of the disease is divided into two categories: by etymology and by the nature of the disease.Each of them contains several more species, and then there is a specific division, which includes a large number of varieties.
By etymology
According to the causes of appearance, two groups of joint osteoarthritis are distinguished:
- Primary.It occurs mainly in patients under 40 years of age.In this case, the disease begins to develop without previous injuries or damage;
- Secondary.Osteoarthritis occurs for certain reasons, including age-related changes in the body, disruption of the endocrine system, trauma, damage, and many others.
Depending on the nature of the disease.
In total, there are three stages of osteoarthritis.In this case, a person may experience mild, intermittent pain that will not interfere with normal functioning.In this case, you may not seek medical help for several years.Other people may face a disease that progresses rapidly: in just one or two months, one stage of osteoarthritis passes into another.Therefore, it is not possible to establish the transition time from the first stage to the next.
Stages of osteoarthritis:
- first stage.The pain is insignificant, felt weakly and appears only after intense stress on the joint.It occurs due to the fact that the synovial fluid and membrane inside the joint capsule changes.
- second stage.The intra-articular cartilage is destroyed and primary deformations begin.Bone growths also appear at this stage.All of the above is accompanied by pain even with minor loads in the affected area.
- third stage.The last stage, in which the irreversible process of modification of the joint already occurs.At the same time, the length of the tendons decreases and muscle contractions become more difficult.Ultimately, the person loses their ability to work.
Since the consequences of advanced osteoarthritis do not promise anything pleasant, it is necessary to start treatment on time.
Osteoarthritis treatment
To receive a treatment program that works, it is necessary to contact a trusted specialist.He will study tests, lifestyle, make appropriate diagnoses and prescribe the necessary medications, as well as additional treatment methods.These may include the following:
- physiotherapy:
- physiotherapy;
- spa treatment;
- proper nutrition, as well as several others.
Most often, the technology of gentle joint development is used by short, feasible loads on the damaged area.During this therapy, the joint suffers slight pain that disappears the next day.If the pain becomes more and more intense, then the loading system used should be reconsidered and adjusted.But don't stop development completely!
Osteoarthritis is a disease that has become widespread in modern society.Every year there are more and more people affected by the disease.This is due to the deterioration of the environmental situation, poor nutrition and the increasing number of injuries.But technologies are also being developed to help solve the problem of osteoarthritis.Therefore, the main thing is not to let the disease progress, carry out periodic diagnoses and, if osteoarthritis is detected, immediately contact a doctor specialized in this matter.