Arthritis

So what is osteoarthritis?

When you’re first diagnosed, and wondering what exactly you’re up against, you probably have a multitude of questions.

Lifescript.com talks to Patience White, M.D., who is a rheumatologist and vice president at the Arthritis Foundation. White answers some of the most common patient questions about what osteoarthritis is.

Some of the facts she shares:

•  Osteoarthritis is the most common form of arthritis, plus many people go undiagnosed.
• It occurs when cartilage between joints wears out, forcing the bones to rub against each other.
• The most common areas it hits are the knees, hips, hands, neck and lower back. Knee osteoarthritis is the most common of all. (About half of all adults will experience this sometime in their lives.)
• It is genetic, but there are other risk factors: Injury can cause it, but the most common risk factor is being overweight. Extra weight puts extra pressure on knees and can cause the cartilage to wear down, then cause extra pain when the bones rub together.
• The best way to avoid and/or control osteoarthritis? According to White, the very best way is to lose weight. Pain medications help alleviate pain long enough for you to become more active, but taking pain meds over a long time can be dangerous (stomach bleeding, liver damage, etc.). Actually losing weight (even just 10% of your body weight) will give you longer term (and less expensive!) relief, she says.

To learn more, visit Lifescript.com. The women’s health and wellness website explains what osteoarthritis is, what pain meds can do for you, tips to take the weight off your knees and other joints, how much braces might help, and more.

For even more osteoarthritis facts, visit Lifescript’s new online Osteoarthritis Health Center, which has articles, quizzes, recipes, tips and more osteoarthritis information.

The information contained in this article is provided for informational purposes only and is not, nor is it ever intended to be, a substitute for professional medical advice or professional recommendations, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician(s) or other qualified healthcare provider(s).

Tags: arthritis, health, osteoarthritis;, women's health