Osteoarthritis Symptoms and Treatment

Osteoarthritis is a degenerative disease in which the tissues in the joints degenerate over time. It is the most common type of arthritis and is more common in older adults. With osteoarthritis, joint pain and stiffness for a short period usually accompany rest or inactivity. The most commonly affected joints include the:

• Hands 
• Knees
• Hips
• Neck
• Lower back

Each person is affected differently by osteoarthritis. Osteoarthritis can be relatively mild and not interfere with day-to-day life. In other cases, it can cause significant pain and disability. Some people may experience rapid progression of joint damage, but most people develop joint damage slowly over time.

Certain factors may make it more likely for you to develop the disease, including:

• Aging
• Being obese or overweight
• Family history of osteoarthritis
• Overuse from repetitive movements of the joint
• History of injury or surgery to a joint
• Joints that do not form correctly

Symptoms of Osteoarthritis

Osteoarthritis symptoms most often develop gradually include:

• Joint swelling
• Pain after overuse or after long periods of inactivity
• Stiffness after periods of rest
• Bony enlargements in the middle and end joints of the fingers
• Joint aching and soreness, especially with movement

How Is Osteoarthritis Treated?

The treatment for osteoarthritis usually consists of a combination of several methods, such as exercise, weight loss if necessary, medications, physical therapy, using hot and cold compresses to soothe the painful joints, removing joint fluid, injecting medications into the joints, and using supportive devices, such as crutches or canes. When other treatment options have failed to relieve pain, surgery may be helpful.

The type of treatment will depend on several factors, including:

• Age
• Activities and occupation
• Overall health
• Medical history
• Location of your osteoarthritis
• The severity of the condition

Impact of Weight and Exercise in Osteoarthritis

Keeping your weight within your recommended range prevents osteoarthritis of the knees, hips, and spine, as well as reduces the pain of joints, which are already affected by osteoarthritis. When you have osteoarthritis, losing weight can also alleviate the stress and pain in your knees.

Exercise strengthens the muscles that surround the joints and improves joint movement. Walking on a flat surface or swimming are gentle exercises that are less stressful on your joints. Avoid activities that increase joint pain, such as jogging and high-impact aerobics. Osteoarthritis patients with osteoarthritis of the knee benefit from exercises that strengthen their muscles. 

Using HCG Diet to Control Weight When You Have Osteoarthritis

HCG can significantly decrease appetite and reduce cravings. HCG has a strong anti-inflammatory effect and some patients with fibromyalgia, arthritis, chronic pain, psoriasis, inflammatory bowel disease, lupus, lipedema, and even migraines have reported improvement. 

Most HCG weight-loss patients notice a loss in girth and weight. However, when properly supervised, they also can achieve an overall improved body shape during and after treatment. HCG appears to reset the hypothalamus gland, along with areas of the brain that regulate a variety of hormones, blood pressure, blood sugar metabolism, and other key body functions.