Home Remedies and Herbs for Osteoarthritis

Arthritis refers to a group of conditions that affect the body’s joints. There are many types of arthritis, but osteoarthritis is the most common form, affecting approximately 30 million Americans.¹ This type of arthritis occurs when the cartilage and bones at joints begin to wear down, causing pain, stiffness, and swelling.¹ It can even lead to disability in some patients.¹ Osteoarthritis can occur in any joint in the body, but it’s most common in areas like the hands, hips, knees, and spine.²

What Causes Osteoarthritis?

Osteoarthritis is caused by the wearing down of cartilage in joints, or an area where two bones connect.¹ Cartridge is responsible for cushioning the joints, and when it breaks down, it causes bones to rub together, which can result in severe pain.³ It’s not clear what exactly triggers this wear down of tissue, but there are a number of factors that can increase your risk of osteoarthritis.³ These risk factors include:^{1, 4}

• Age - Older individuals are more at risk. In fact, up to 85 percent of people over the age of 65 suffer from osteoarthritis.⁵
• Gender - Women over the age of 50 are much more likely to develop osteoarthritis.
• Race - Asians are at a lower risk of osteoarthritis.
• Obesity - Being obese increases your risk due to extra pressure on your joints.
• Genetics - People with a family history of osteoarthritis are more likely to develop the condition.
• Injuries - Previous joint injuries can increase your risk. Certain Occupations - Working in a field that requires repeated stress on your joints can lead to osteoarthritis.

Osteoarthritis Symptoms

Osteoarthritis symptoms appear gradually and worsen over time.⁴ Osteoarthritis symptoms can include:^{4, 6}

• Stiffness
• Pain
• Tenderness
• Loss of flexibility
• Worsening when engaged in physical activity
• Bony growths
• Grating sensation on your joints

References

1. https://www.cdc.gov/arthritis/basics/osteoarthritis.htm
2. http://www.umkelloggeye.org/health-library/hw125723
3. http://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/osteoarthritis/symptoms-causes/dxc-20198250
4. http://umm.edu/health/medical/altmed/condition/osteoarthritis
5. http://umm.edu/health/medical/reports/articles/osteoarthritis
6. http://www.uofmhealth.org/conditions-treatments/cmc/arthritis/osteoarthritis