Osteoarthritis -- How is it Affecting the Aging US Population?

As the "baby boomer generation" ages, doctors predict there will be a staggering growth in the cases of Osteoarthritis (OA). Although OA affects the quality of life for many people as they age, few people are familiar with the term Osteoarthritis. Osteoarthritis is one of the most common forms of arthritis. It is one of the main causes of disability in older adults. OA's impact and toll on the US health care system is immense. Until the 1980s, OA was considered a progressive degenerative disorder. It was considered one of the inevitable results of age. Back in the 80s it was assumed that Osteoarthritis developed because of the long time normal wear and tear of joints. This was viewed as naturally occurring with age. However, new research has altered this perception to a large extent. Research shows that there may be other factors associated with OA. -- Major Factors of Osteoarthritis -- - Water Retention - Heredity - Obesity One of the major symptoms of this disease is the swelling of the joints due to result of water retention. The cartilage in your joints may retain water. This brings about changes in the bone underlying the cartilage (called the subchondral bone). This is especially noticeable the joints which bear the weight of the body, for example knees and hips. OA results from an inflammation of the joints; this is also called joint incongruity. This is a particularly painful condition which hampers the movement of the afflicted joint to a large extent. Physicians predict a very strong connection between OA and heredity. Obesity is another major risk factor which contributes to this disorder. This is because the weight bearing joints (knees, hips) of an overweight person would have to function under greater pressure. As the body grows older, the cartilage component of our skeletal framework gradually loses its ability to repair itself. Thus, OA has come to be largely associated with aging. Some scientists predict that nutrition (or lack of it) may also be a contributing factor. Supplements like Phosoplex is gaining popularity with helping to offset this condition. Minerals like calcium and vitamins like C and D are essential to the formation of strong bones. New research is being conducted to find out whether a lack of these elements can contribute to the development of OA as the person grows older. Some genetic and heredity conditions relating to the skeletal framework may also play role in the onset of OA -- bone dysplasias and charcot joints. Some physicians also point towards the Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome. If an injured joint has not been properly aligned, the risk of OA increases for that particular joint. There are a couple of occupational factors too which contribute to OA. Any joint, which is being repetitively used or overworked, is susceptible to OA disease. This is because these tasks also over tax the muscles. Overtaxing a particular muscle which protects a joint also increases the risk of OA. Pain is one of the primary symptoms of this disease. The frequency and level of this pain may increase over a period of months, even years. While it impairs free movement, the condition might also worsen with enforced activity. Doctors strongly advise rest in such cases as the pain usually subsides after a period of inactivity. OA symptoms also include certain stiffness in the joints in the mornings. However, it does not usually last for more than half an hour. The joint will also feel stiff after a long period of rest but this stiffness would most likely go away after a few minutes. Exercises, like weight lifting and that intent on strengthening the muscles will also help. Treatment with drugs can only help to relieve the pain. You might also want to apply cold packs to the inflamed joint. Surgery is absolutely the last resort. It includes options like partial or complete joint replacement - these are relatively safe procedures. The implications of this disease on the ageing US population are quite immense. It was predicted that on the year 2003, almost 70 million Americans suffered from OA and other related disorders. This number is expected to drastically go up as the 'baby boomer' generation grows older annually. OA has been the cause of 32 million physician visits and has resulted on the hospitalization of over 2.3 million patients. There isn't any universal cure for Osteoarthritis. However proper supplementation provides a ray of hope in the care of OA. Natural products such as Phosoplex