Osteoarthritis (OA), or more commonly just referred to as arthritis, is a condition where individuals suffer from painful, swollen joints as they get older. The most common musculoskeletal condition affecting people all around the world, osteoarthritis can be an irritant to some, and a crippling condition to others. It all depends on its severity and consistency of the pain an individual feels.
Osteoarthritis Causes
The pain and swelling that one experiences with osteoarthritis comes from a degeneration of the cartilage that sits in the joint. Cartilage normally provides a slick, smooth cushion to absorb shock and to make sure that the joint can open and close without any problems or hiccups. However, for someone experiencing arthritis, that cushion wears away, thinning to the point that the pressure in the joint becomes painful. In some cases the cartilage wears away to nothing at all, leaving bone grinding against bone in a debilitating manner.
While science isn't precisely clear on how this happens, there are some osteoarthritis causes that have been speculated on. Age, for instance, seems to be the leading contributor to the condition. As the body ages and eventually wears out, it becomes more and more common for parts to stop working. Cartilage, and the joints it's meant to protect seem to be primary on the list of parts that begin to fail. It's just one of those things;however, there do seems to be some contributing factors aside from simply getting older.
For one thing, science has taken note of the fact that osteoarthritis appears to be something that can be inherited from one generation to the next. So while there's no guarantee that it is a genetic deficiency, there appears to at least be a genetic component to whether or not a particular individual is going to be arthritic later on in his or her life. Science simply hasn't pinpointed the gene that is responsible for the condition the way it has the markers for other disorders and diseases yet.
Another possible cause of arthritis appears to be injury to the joint. Whether it's a minor twist or a full shattering of bone, damage to the joint can lead to deterioration of the cartilage and an increase in bone growth. The latter can lead to the bone jutting into the cartilage and causing further damage, typically referred to as bone spurs. Painful juts of bone that can shred the cushion and lead to grinding pain whenever the joint is being used.
Osteoarthritis Cures
While there is some speculation on the causes of this condition, there is no word about an osteoarthritis cure. There have been a great deal of suggestions made; however, nothing seems to be concrete. Artificial joints are one possible suggestion for extreme circumstances, and 3D printing a new pad of cartilage is another that's been put forth. However, for the time being the best treatment appears to be trying to prevent arthritis from happening through good nutrition, a nutritious diet and a solid regimen of healthy exercise. Thus far that's one of the best suggestions that science has come up with.