Osteoarthritis - An unavoidable disease in middle age

Osteoarthritis is common in middle age and can affect all joints in the body. Some joints that are most affected are the knees, spine, hips, fingers, ankles, etc.

Articular cartilage is considered as a cushion covering the bone surface, composed of cartilage cells and ground substance. Articular cartilage has a protective function, reduces friction in the joint and acts as a "shock absorber".

Usually, you will experience symptoms in only one joint or a few joints at a time.Degeneration of the joints is the most common damage.

Common types of osteoarthritis in middle age

- Knee osteoarthritis

It is the result of a mechanical and biological imbalance between the synthesis and destruction of cartilage and subchondral bone. The knee joint bones are no longer protected by the cartilage layer and rub against each other, causing pain, inflammation, and limited movement. In many cases, osteoarthritis promotes the formation of bone spurs on the knee joint, leading to osteoarthritis and worsening it. Osteoarthritis of the knee is common in middle-aged women.

In the early stages, there is only a dull pain, not continuous pain. In the later stages, the pain becomes more severe and continuous. The pain is often dull and can become acute pain when the patient moves in an unfavorable position. The pain will become more severe when the weather changes, especially in cold weather conditions, high humidity and reduced air pressure. In addition, the patient feels stiff knees, fluid in the knee joints...

-Wrist osteoarthritis

This is a relatively common disease, especially in the elderly. The disease causes pain, making it difficult for the patient to move and grasp objects. The patient's movement, daily activities and work are affected. If not treated, wrist degeneration will cause dangerous complications such as loss of mobility and paralysis.

When the wrist joint is degenerative, the patient feels pain in the hand, pain when moving and reduces when resting, pain increases when performing wrist movements such as holding objects, there is a cracking, rustling sound. Swelling and stiffness of the joint, especially in the morning or after a long period of inactivity of the wrist. When swollen, stiffness can cause you a lot of difficulty when rotating and bending the wrist, the movement is no longer flexible and supple.

- Cervical spondylosis

Cervical spondylosis often occurs in middle-aged people (40 - 50 years old), due to the aging process of the intervertebral discs, the vertebral bodies due to poor blood circulation, so the disease is easy to appear. Symptoms of cervical spondylosis are that the patient feels pain, fatigue, and difficulty moving the neck. The pain lasts from the nape of the neck to the ears, neck, loss of deep feeling in the hands, sometimes the arms and hands can be paralyzed.

Cervical spondylosis causes neck or back pain. Bone spurs that form along the spinal joints can irritate the spinal nerves, causing severe pain, numbness, and tingling in the affected parts of the body.

Causes of osteoarthritis

- Primary cause

Osteoarthritis occurs in relation to age. The water content in the cartilage increases with age, this is due to the decrease in the protein content and quality in the cartilage, leading to the cartilage beginning to degenerate. Long-term movement causes damage to this cartilage, causing cracks, peeling, and even cartilage destruction, increasing friction between the joints, causing pain and degeneration.

- Secondary causesGenetics, overweight, obesity, trauma, occupational diseases, heavy work. Influenced by other bones and joints such as rheumatoid arthritis, people with excess iron or excess growth hormone, increase the chance of developing the disease.

Common complications and treatments for osteoarthritis

Osteoarthritis, if not treated and diagnosed promptly, can cause many dangerous complications such as:Gout and pain. Depression and anxiety, uncontrolled weight gain. Sleep disturbances. Calcification of cartilage and bone necrosis. Fractures. Bleeding or infection. Damage to tendons and ligaments around the joint.

There is no cure for osteoarthritis, but there are a number of treatments to help relieve the symptoms of degenerative joint pain. These include:

- Exercise and play sports regularly. The training process must follow the given plan to avoid incorrect training that can negatively affect the joints.

- Lose weight by participating in physical activities and eating a healthier diet.

- Use pain relievers such as: Paracetamol; Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs); Steroid injections; Hot or cold compresses; Surgery; Joint replacement.

How to prevent and care for people with osteoarthritis

To prevent the progression of the disease and reduce its impact on your life, you should: Lose weight. Exercise regularly. Eat a healthy diet. Focus on daily supplementation of omega-3 fatty acids, vitamin D, eat lots of green vegetables, fruits and limit foods processed at high temperatures. Take medication as directed by your doctor and have regular check-ups.