Arthritis means inflammation of joints and its most common form is osteoarthritis. This disease is often referred as the condition of the elderly and it is true that the percentage of patients increases sharply with age.
There are more men achieved before the age of 45 years and beyond that age instead found more women. In North America millions of people suffering from these diseases and almost 80% of people over age 50 are affected in one form or another.
The body parts most often affected are the hands and joints have to bear more weight, such as knees, hips and spine.
The osteoarthritis is divided into two categories, primary and secondary. In the primary category the degenerative process is the result of 50 or 60 years of life, without apparent hereditary predisposition. The cumulative effect of pressure and mobilizations of the joints during the decades leading to a slow degenerative process of the collagen matrix used to support the cartilage.
The damage caused is the result of the action of enzymes that destroy cartilage components.
General causes of Osteoarthritis:
- Aging of the collagen matrix and its ability to renew itself
- Modified biochemistry
- Genetic predispositions
- Fractures and Injuries
- Hormonal factors and sexual
Onset of the disease
Early osteoarthritis can be very subtle. Slight joint pain in the morning at sunrise or pain and stiffness after adopting a certain time a sitting or lying position.
The pain increases with activity and decrease with the rest of the painful joint. Impairment of knee joints and hip can make the movement and walking difficult and uncertain.
Achieving the joints of the spine, which is very common, produces a compression of nerves and blood vessels, causing pain but also an inadequate blood supply.
One of the most paradoxical aspects of osteoarthritis is that there is no direct correlation between the increase or intensity of pain and aggravation of pain. In some cases a little affected joints can cause severe pain and instead a more joint damage will be barely felt by the patient. It seems that the emotional state and stress level of the person would influence the perception of pain.
The anti-pain and anti-inflammatory traditional generally provide temporary relief of pain, but they contribute to the deterioration of cartilage and inhibits its reconstruction.
Tags: Arthritis, diseases, enzymes
