Health
Osteoarthritis
Osteoarthritis (OA, also known as degenerative arthritis, degenerative joint disease), is a clinical syndrome in which low-grade inflammation results in pain in the joints, caused by abnormal wearing of the cartilage that covers and acts as a cushion inside joints and destruction or decrease of synovial fluid that lubricates those joints. As the bone surfaces become less well protected by cartilage, the patient experiences pain upon weight bearing, including walking and standing.Osteoarthritis is classified as non-inflammatory arthritis. This suggests that there is no inflammation (swelling), but recent research shows that this is not true. Although there is usually no swelling in the early stage of the disease, as the arthritis progresses there can be inflammation. Bits of cartilage may break off and float around inside the joint.
Primary osteoarthritis is mostly related to aging. With aging, the water content of the cartilage increases and the protein makeup of cartilage degenerates. Repetitive use of the joints over the years irritates and inflames the cartilage, causing joint pain and swelling. Eventually, cartilage begins to degenerate by flaking or forming tiny crevasses. In advanced cases, there is a total loss of the cartilage cushion between the bones of the joints. Pain in a joint during or after use, or after a period of inactivitySymptoms often vary for no obvious reason, with bad spells of a few weeks or months being broken by much better periods. Changes in the weather (especially damp and low pressure) can make joint pain worse for some people – others find it depends on how much physical activity they do.
The overall goal of treatment is early elimination of risk factors, early diagnosis and surveillance of the disease, and appropriate treatment of pain. It’s also important to help people regain their mobility. These goals may be reached through a logical approach to care including the overlapping of treatment that does not involve medications and treatment with medication and possibly surgical management.To start with, your GP may suggest paracetamol, which is available over-the-counter (OTC) in pharmacies without a prescription. You should always follow the dosage that your GP recommends, and do not exceed the dose as stated on the pack. Children under the age of 16 should not take aspirin.
