Osteoarthritis - an overview

Kriti has been recently coming across a lot of advertisements and news regarding Osteoarthritis. People say it’s one of the most common diseases of old age. About to enter her late 50s Kriti becomes curious and worried about her health. She wants to know everything about Osteoarthritis!

What is Osteoarthritis?

Osteoarthritis is a common chronic disease of the joints. Sometimes called degenerative joint disease, Osteoarthritis is affecting millions of people every day.Though it can affect any joint, it occurs mostly in the knees, hips, lower back, neck, small joints of the finger and bases of the thumb.

In normal joints, cartilage covers the end of each bone. In Osteoarthritis, the cartilage breaks down, causing pain, inflammation and joint damage.

Who is likely to get Osteoarthritis?

Although Osteoarthritis occurs among all age groups, it is most common in people older than 65 years of age.

What are the symptoms of Osteoarthritis?

The symptoms of Osteoarthritis may vary depending on the severity of the affected joints. The symptoms tend to build over time rather than show up suddenly. Some of the common symptoms include:

1. Pain in the affected areas, particularly after waking up from sleep.
2. Stiffness of joints—particularly the hips, knees and lower back after inactivity or overuse.
3. Clicking or cracking sound when a joint bends.
4. Mild swelling around a joint.

What are the factors behind Osteoarthritis?

The prominent reasons behind Osteoarthritis are listed below:

1. Age: One of the main factors behind Osteoarthritis is age. People older than 65 years of age are mostly prone to getting Osteoarthritis. However, recent research says that almost 14 % of Indians are currently suffering from Osteoarthritis mostly under the age group of 30 to 50 years.
2. Weight: Being overweight puts additional pressure on hips and knees which in turn increases your risk of developing Osteoarthritis. Extra pounds of body weight can degrade the cartilage faster.
3. Injury and Overuse: Repetitive movements or joint injuries (such as fracture or ligament tears) can lead to Osteoarthritis. Certain occupations that require standing for long periods of time, repetitive bending or heavy lifting can also make cartilage wear away more quickly.

By Dr. Shabtab Khalid

ZilaxoAdvanced Pain Solution

Note:  Through the synergistic combination of Classical Homoeopathy, Ayurvedic-Unani Formulations and Internationally Acclaimed Advanced Physiotherapy, Zilaxo Advanced Pain Solution aims to eradicate joint pain, counter the process of degeneration and promote bone health. The protocol is at once scientific, effective as well as safe. To avail treatment at Zilaxo, call on 1800 419 6607 (Toll free) or WhatsApp at +91 98304 26607.

www.zilaxo.org