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: Osteoarthritis
~ What is Osteoarthritis?What is Osteoarthritis?Basic Osteoarthritis Information: A Primer If you are a middle-aged man or woman who has started to notice mild to severe pain in your joints, you may be among the estimated 20 million Americans suffering from the most common form of degenerative joint disease - osteoarthritis. In fact, researchers estimate that if a person lives long enough, he or she will almost certainly develop at least a minor form of the disease. There are many kinds of osteoarthritis – which simply means an inflammation and deterioration of the joints. Your body has 206 bones. Holding those together are ligaments that connect your 100 joints – all of which have the potential to suffer from the painful effects of osteoarthritis. The ends of your bones have a smooth covering called cartilage. This cartilage protects your bones and keeps them from rubbing together - and eventually – wearing out. If the cartilage breaks down, the bones begin grinding away at each other until they no longer function properly and cause pain ranging from mild and infrequent to severely debilitating. This is called osteoarthritis. Much advancement is being made in the fight against osteoarthritis. Scientists and researchers are continually seeking ways to lessen the pain and suffering patients must endure. Still, your best defense
against osteoarthritis is knowledge. Start your journey today of learning
how to take care of your body by eating right, exercising, and taking
advantage of medicinal developments that may someday offer - not only
relief - but perhaps even a cure. We hope these articles on this site
will be a good start for you! |
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