Osteoarthritis (OA) also known as degenerative arthritis or degenerative joint disease, is a group of mechanical abnormalities involving degradation of joints, including articular cartilage and subchondral bone (the layer of bone just below the cartilage).

Symptoms 0f osteoarthritis may include joint pain, tenderness, stiffness, locking, and sometimes an effusion which is also referred to as "water on the knee" and "fluid on the knee".

A variety of causes include hereditary, developmental, metabolic, and mechanical — may initiate processes leading to loss of cartilage.

When bone surfaces become less well protected by cartilage, bone may be exposed and damaged. As a result of decreased movement secondary to pain, regional muscles may atrophy, and ligaments may become looser.

The most common form of joint pain is osteoarthritis and it can be so debilitating
that it can make everything from walking to getting up off the couch, quite painful.

If you suffer from this kind of pain, you should take these steps:

* Exercise the muscles surrounding affected joints.

* Glucosamine and chondroitin sulfate (500 milligrams - 3 times a day). Allow at least 3 weeks to see results.

* Take vitamin C (300 milligrams twice a day, assuming you are not taking a statin drug such as Lipitor). Vitamin C Blocks the effects of inflammatory free radicals in the joint. Works synergistically with fish oil to enhance its effect.

* Take vitamin D (at least 400 IU a day). Low levels of this vitamin can lead directly to osteoarthritis.

* Take vitamin E. It furthers the work of vitamin C in preserving joint health and relieving osteoarthritis pain. (400 to 600 IU each day).

The Best Word of Advice
If you're suffering from osteoarthritis:

GET TO YOUR IDEAL WEIGHT.

Neal Barnard, M.D. explains: "Being overweight is like carrying around heavy luggage". He says. "It hurts the knees, hips - literally every joint in the body. It's not just the extra weight that causes arthritis problems in obese people.

Extra body fat causes hormonal changes and builds up levels of estrogen and research suggests higher levels of estrogen lead to a higher risk of osteoarthritis." and Dr Barnard adds: "The basic rule of thumb is that every extra 10 pounds increases the risk of osteoarthritis in the knees 30 percent."

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