Arthritis is a horrible disease which affects about 1.2 million Americans and the number is rising steadily. You will find this disease mostly in senior people and it is believed that its causes can be traced to poor blood circulation which is associated with obesity, heredity, injuries and undue pressure on the cartilages found in the joints of the body.

What Does Osteo Arthritis Mean?

In two words, it means cartilage degeneration. Sometimes the osteo arthritis even affects the bone, but most of the times it is concentrated around one joint at a time – and the joints could be anywhere in the body – the finger joints, the elbow joints, the knee joints, the hip bone joints, the spine and so on.

Osteo arthritis also results in undue bone growth in different affected parts of the body giving a gnarled overall look. This is one very typical manifestation of this disease which is also known as hypertrophic arthritis. When the extra bone tissue is formed around the affected joints, you will experience a lot of pain as well as you will find that your joints have limited flexibility because the bone growth prevents it. If left untreated, and sometimes even in spite the treatment, osteo arthritis can cause the joint to cease movement altogether due to the combined effect of the bone growth and the accompanying pain.

Simple Ways To Fight The Pain Of Osteo Arthritis

The pain that the osteo arthritis can cause is sometimes mind numbing. If you caught by an attack – the first thing you should so is call for help – if you have no one living with you. Then, you need to apply hot compresses to the place where it is paining, while waiting for help. This is also very efficient as a method of prevention.

Keep the joint free from any possibility of injury – since the joint(s) is already paining, try to keep it safe and free from any type of injury which would create further trauma. Use simple exercises to help the joint stay mobile for as long as possible. Ask your doctor when it is okay to take a pain killer. Beware that you should not medicate yourself with anything that you do not know about one hundred percent - it is always best to ask the doctor prescribe the required medication.

.Those who are affected by osteo arthritis in the spine joints or hip bone joints – need to ensure periodic rest which involves frequent 'stretching on the bed' in a completely horizontal position.