What is osteoarthritis?
In osteoarthritis, many people think of joint deterioration. That is not entirely correct. Your joint is not worn, but there is in slightly changed.
A joint connecting two bones together. On the ends of these bones is a layer of cartilage. That cartilage is very smooth, so that the joints can easily bending, twisting or stretching.
In osteoarthritis, the cartilage became thinner. The surface is not as smooth, but irregular. As a result, the joints move less easily.
What causes osteoarthritis?
How osteoarthritis occurs is not known. It is clear that it is more common:
*in the elderly,
*in women,
*in overweight people,
*in occupations where the joints are stretched,
*Osteoarthritis occurs when many in the family.
Sometimes osteoarthritis occurs long after the damage to a joint by accident.
What are the symptoms of osteoarthritis ?
When you suffer from osteoarthritis pain in the joint and rigidity. Osteoarthritis occurs mainly in:
*hips,
*the knees,
*at the bottom of the thumb,
*to the eindkootjes of the fingers.
Usually, osteoarthritis is limited to one or a few joints.
The symptoms are worse after rest and decrease after moving a while.
Many people with arthritis mainly morning symptoms, the first ten minutes after getting up.
How is osteoarthritis demonstrated ?
The doctor can usually detect osteoarthritis of the complaints. X-rays are rarely needed. Osteoarthritis is not always seen in a photograph. And the other is sometimes visible osteoarthritis, without that person has complaints.
So if you submit which we see osteoarthritis, a radiograph we do not know for sure whether your symptoms really come of it. This is generally not of X-ray to determine osteoarthritis.
Medicines for osteoarthritis
Medications can not cure arthritis, but reduce the pain. In osteoarthritis painkillers are possible.
*First check whether paracetamol sufficient to reduce the pain. Is For example, if you can not properly move through the pain or sleep.
*What can happen when the pain keeps coming back, taking the painkiller at fixed times. If necessary, take two paracetamol every four hours (up to four times per day).
*If you still have symptoms? Then you can try another painkiller, such as ibuprofen, diclofenac or naproxen. The latter three agents called NSAIDs. They may give stomach upset. As a side effect People with an increased risk of stomach upsets, therefore, receive a different agent, or an additional drug prescribed in order to protect the stomach.
NSAIDs can affect the action of other drugs. Talk to your doctor if you are taking other medications. People with cardiovascular and kidney problems and people over 70 years should be extra careful with the use of NSAIDs. Are Talk to your doctor.
Advice for osteoarthritis
Exercise is important to reduce the symptoms. Exercise also prevents symptoms return or worsen. Trained muscles give the joint strength, which can tolerate more and is less painful. But do not overdo it exercise; Avoid overload your joints.
When you have a lot of pain, give the joint rest a while. Just make sure that you move the sensitive joint regularly. Cold or hot compresses can provide some relief. Once you have it a bit better, try to tackle your daily activities.
A few recommendations are:
*Use a cane if you have symptoms by osteoarthritis of the hip or knee.
*In obesity, it is important to lose weight. Overweight charge your joints extra.
*Sometimes it is necessary to choose another hobby or profession to relieve the painful joint.
Exercise therapy in osteoarthritis
May exercise therapy (Cesar or Mensendieck) If it is difficult to perform certain movements help. Exercises for the muscles around the painful or stiff joint can reduce the symptoms. The occupational therapist or physical therapist will teach you exercises that you can do at home.
How it goes with osteoarthritis ?
How osteoarthritis expires varies per person. The symptoms may go away and stay away, or occasionally come back. Persistent symptoms may still decrease after a few weeks.
When contact with osteoarthritis ?
Contact your doctor if the symptoms persist long by osteoarthritis or worsen. A joint injection of an anti-inflammatory can sometimes help. Surgery is rarely needed. This will only be considered if you find it hard to move or if you keep at night to keep the joint pain.