Osteoarthritis
In the United States, 27 million people suffer from osteoarthritis (OA). It affects more women than men. Conventional medicine only offers medications that provide pain relief and not any healing. These medications include Tylenol, Non Steroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drugs (NSAIDs), Cyclooxygenase-2 (Cox-2) Inhibitors. Additionally, long-term use of these drugs can increase the risk of renal (kidney) insufficiency, gastrointestinal bleeding, hypertension and congestive heart failure.
Earlier Onset: Reported at the American College of Rheumatology Annual Scientific Meeting in Chicago in November 2011, researchers have found osteoarthritis occurs on average 16 years earlier than 20 years ago, at 56 years of age instead of 72.
Obesity is on the top of the list of risk factors for osteoarthritis. The rising obesity epidemic might be the reason for earlier age of onset.
Other Risk Factors for Osteoarthritis : Genetic predisposition, hereditary factors, age, mechanical injury, joint trauma, gender, joint immobilization, overuse, physical workload, high-intensity sports.
Bad Oral Health: Researchers have discovered a new connection between oral bacteria and joint health as reported Journal of Clinical Rheumatology, April 2012 issue. They found bacterial DNA in the joint fluid of hip and knee joints that matched that of bacteria in the oral plaque found from patients with gum disease and who were also in need of joint replacement. Researchers believe that oral bacteria may be the reason why joint replacements of hip and knee fail after 10 years.
Cortisol and Osteoarthritis: Scientists have found that fibroblast cells in the joint can produce cortisol, which might be linked to inflammation poor joint integrity. Fibroblasts are cells in the body responsible for making collagen, connective tissue, and play an important role in wound healing and tissue repair.
Repair Mechanisms: New research presented in the Journal of Biological Chemistry, February 2012, found that the knee with osteoarthritis is constantly in a state of repair, leading researchers to realize that the knee has an ability to heal itself, and this was not recognized previously. This means that patients with OA can do things to help themselves.
Exercise and OA: Studies have shown that exercise can help people with arthritis control and reduce pain as well as improve general function. 150 minutes per week of moderate intensity-low impact activity is recommended. Incredibraces can help ease joint discomfort and improve mobility (available on amazon.com).
Supplements: Avocado-Soybean Unsaponifiables (ASU) studies have shown effectiveness in pain reduction, and functional disability after two months especially in hip OA, and benefits continued after the treatment. (You may pick this up from my office.)
Krill Oil: Krill oil has been widely studied for joint-supporting properties. In a double blind placebo controlled study published in 2007 in the Journal of American College of Nutrition, supplementation with krill oil after just seven days reduced an inflammatory marker, CRP and decreased pain scores and stiffness in patients with Rheumatoid Arthritis and OA. (Krill oil is widely available at most health food stores.)
Boswellia has been studied for its powerful anti-inflammatory, anti-arthritic and pain relieving actions. A novel type of boswellia known as Aflapin is significantly more bioavailable than other boswellia extracts. In the International Journal of Medical Science, 2011, Aflapin produced significant improvement in as early as five days of use. (You may pick this up from my office.)
Summary: OA is increasingly being diagnosed in younger people and obesity is a major contributing factor. Oral health can also play a role. Exercise, weight loss if obese, and certain supplements can have a big impact on pain, mobility and quality of life
Taken from article by Chris D. Meletis, ND in the Complementary Prescriptions Journal.
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