Conditions
OSTEOARTHRITIS
Symptoms
Joint pain is the main symptom of osteoarthritis. Most people experience stiff and swollen joints and some form of limitation in movement or physical activity. You probably will find it difficult to move the joint first thing in the morning, or following "active" use or overuse of the joint.
Osteoarthritis can range from ‘very mild’ to ‘very severe’. It can affect any joint, but it occurs most often in the hands, fingers and weight- bearing joints such as your knees, hips, feet and back. (It rarely affects other joints, except as a result of previous injury or unusual stress.) Osteoarthritis is characterised by degenerative changes in the cartilage and bones of your joints that lead to pain, stiffness and swelling.
Osteoarthritis is also known by other names, such as ‘degenerative joint disease’ and ‘osteoarthrosis’. Anybody can get OA, and it is most common in middle-aged and older people, especially women over 45. Women are twice as likely as men to be affected.
Causes
There are many factors that have been linked with osteoarthritis. Although age is a primary risk factor, it is not just a function of ‘getting older’; genetics (or heredity), weight, athletic interests, prior injury and muscle weakness are also risk factors. Like most folks, you probably did not have the opportunity to choose your parents ... so there is not much you can do about genetics. However, you do have control over lifestyle factors (such as diet and exercise) that can influence your management of osteoarthritis.
How to treat it
Effective treatment should target pain management and improved joint movement.
The good news is that you can get better with treatment. Getting a correct diagnosis and working with your doctor and other health professionals to design the best treatment plan is essential. Your treatment program will take into consideration the nature of your symptoms and your age, occupation and lifestyle interests.
Surgery is usually only considered as a last resort.
Check with your doctor to discuss what pain relief medication is best for you. For mild osteoarthritis, the best solution is to combine glucosamine-based medications with a ‘lifestyle program’ of exercise, diet and professional advice. This will help to keep your joints, bones and muscles healthy and strong.
Lifestyle considerations
Physical activity pumps energy around your body. It increases oxygen and blood flow to your active muscles and ‘warms-up’ your joints so they can move more smoothly. Exercise also stimulates the release of endorphins (adrenaline) which are your body's own natural pain relievers.
Activities such as walking, cycling and swimming are all excellent. These activities are low-impact, so they minimise the stress on your joints. They also make your heart, lungs and muscles more efficient and boost your immune system function. Aerobic exercise really is the key to good health.
Please contact your doctor to develop your personal osteoarthritis plan. Your doctor can provide expert advice regarding safe participation in exercise and a healthy lifestyle to complement your medications treatment.
Your doctor can help design your lifestyle program and provide referrals to other health professionals. This website also contains some excellent resources, so take some time to browse. Your local pharmacist is an excellent source of information about osteoarthritis medications. They can help explain the difference between medications that contain glucosamine combined with sulphate (salt) and those that contain glucosamine in its pure hydrochloride (HCL) form. Glucosamine HCL provides 30% more active glucosamine per mg than glucosamine sulphate.
Sourced from:
www.medicinenet.com
www.webmd.com
www.abc.net.au
www.arthritis.ca
How Herron Can Help
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Fish Oil 500 Omega 3
Fish Oil 500mg Omega 3 plays an essential role in maintaining a healthy heart, and helps provide relief of joint inflammation and joint mobility associated with arthritis. more -
Fish Oil 1000
Fish Oil 1000 is a high potency supplement specifically formulated to help maintain a healthy heart, and assist in the relief of joint inflammation and joint mobility associated with arthritis. more -
Glucosamine 1000
Suitable for the everyday management of osteoarthritis, and the relief of joint inflammation and joint mobility associated with arthritis. more -
OsteoEze Glucosamine Forte HCl
Suitable for adults 45+ wanting an extra strength two per day dose to help repair and rebuild damaged joint cartilage & reduce the pain of Osteoarthritis
more -
OsteoEze Glucosamine HCl
Suitable for adults 45+ wanting to help repair and rebuild damaged joint cartilage & reduce the pain of Osteoarthritis
more -
HERRON Paracetamol
HERRON Paracetamol reduces fever and provides effective temporary relief of mild to moderate pain including headache, arthritic and rheumatic pain and muscular aches. It is considered a suitable first line, short term treament for common ‘everyday’ aches and pains. more