SOLUTION FOR JOINTS

In the last few years, more Americans than ever have discovered the benefits of nutritional and herbal supplements. Despite the fact that there is tremendous scientific evidence to support the use of nutritional supplementation, some medical experts have not overwhelmingly endorsed nutritional supplementation.

Some say diet alone can provide all the essential nutrition necessary, while many others tout the health benefits of vitamins and minerals. The consumer is left in the middle trying to sort things out. Hopefully, these answers to common questions on this subject will provide some clarity.

Answers by Dr Michael Murray.

Q. What is arthritis?
A. Arthritis refers to inflammation of the joints. The most common form of arthritis is osteoarthritis, which is also known as degenerative joint disease because it is characterized by joint degeneration and loss of cartilage-the shock-absorbing gel-like material between joints. The percentage of people with osteoarthritis increases dramatically with age. Surveys have indicated that over 40 million Americans have osteoarthritis, including 80% of persons over the age of 50. Under the age of 45, osteoartluitis is much more common in men. After age 45, it is much more common in women.

0. What joints are affected in osteoarthrifis?
A. The weight-bearing joints such as the knees, hips, and spine, as well as the hands, are the joints most often affected with the degenerative changes of osteoarthritis. These joints are under greater stress because of weight and use.

0. How does a person know if he or she has osteoarthritis?
A. The onset of osteoarthritis can be subtle. Morning joint stiffness is often the first symptom. As the disease progresses, there is pain during motion of the involved joint, which is made worse by prolonged activity and relieved by rest. Osteoarthritis is usually quite easily distinguished from other types of arthritis. In more inflammatory forms of arthritis like rheumatoid arthritis and gout, the joints will appear red, spongy and warm. In osteoarthritis, however, the joint will generally be cooler and bony-hard. If you think you have arthritis consult a physician for an accurate diagnosis.

Diagnostic summary of osteoarthritis
Symptoms: mild early-morning stiffness, stiffness following periods of rest, pain that worsens on joint use, and loss of joint function Signs: local tenderness, soft tissue swelling, joint crepitus, bony swelling, restricted mobility, Heberden's nodes, and other signs of degenerative loss of articular cartilage.

Q. What causes osteoarthritis?
A. Osteoarthritis is divided into two categories, primary and secondary. In primary osteoarthritis, the degenerative "wear-and-tear" process occurs after a person turns 40 years of age. The cumulative effects of decades of use leads to the degenerative changes by stressing the collagen matrix of the cartilage. Damage to the cartilage results in the release of enzymes that destroy cartilage components. With aging, the ability to restore and manufacture non-nal cartilage structures decreases., So, what I am saying is that aging is the primary cause of osteoarthritis. But, just because you may be getting older doesn't mean that you have to suffer from the pain of osteoarthritis. Secondary osteoarthritis is associated with some predisposing factor which is responsible for the degenerative changes. These predisposing factors include: inherited abnormalities in joint structure or function; trauma (fractures along joint surfaces, surgery, etc.); presence of abnormal cartilage; and previous inflammatory disease of the joint (rheumatoid arthritis, gout, etc.).