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Are you noticing as you mature you are experiencing stiffness orpain in your knees, ankles, back, and elbows? If you are 35 orolder symptoms like these may be the early signs ofOsteoarthritis.

What is Osteoarthritis?

According to the US government's National Institute of Arthritisand Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases "Osteoarthritis is themost common type of arthritis, especially among older people.Sometimes it is called degenerative joint disease orosteoarthrosis."

Moreover Osteoarthritis is a joint disease that mostly affectsthe cartilage. Cartilage is the protective slippery tissue thatcovers the ends of the bones in a joint.

Unlike other forms of arthritis which may affect internal organsOsteoarthritis primarily causes problems between the cartilageand joints.

Healthy cartilage allows bones to glide over one another. Italso absorbs energy from the shock of physical movement.In osteoarthritis, the surface layer of cartilage breaks downand wears away.

In other words as we mature you can start to experienceOsteoarthritis because the cartilage between you knees, back,and other joints may begin to erode or wear away.

This allows bones under the cartilage to rub together, causingpain, swelling, and loss of motion of the joint. Over time, thejoint may lose its normal shape. Also bone spurs, small growthscalled entophytes, may grow on the edges of the joint. Bits ofbone or cartilage can break off and float inside the jointspace.

This condition of course causes more pain and damage.

According to government studies Osteoarthritis affects about 20million Americans. Over 50 % of Americans over 65 haveosteoarthritis in a least one joint.

It is more common for men than women to have osteoarthritisbefore 45. However after 45 it is more common for women toexperience the symptoms of this condition.

Research shows by 2030 70 million Americans will be over the ageof 65 and may be at risk for osteoarthritis. While youngerpeople may get osteoarthritis from sports related knee and jointinjuries, osteoarthritis is primarily a condition more maturepeople experience.

If you experience symptoms like the ones described above talk toyou doctor to see if you have osteoarthritis or some othercondition.

The symptoms of osteoarthritis seem to appear in the knee, lowerback, ends of the fingers, back of the neck, thumbs and hips.

Some of the treatments the doctor may prescribe are:

1. - Exercise is inexpensive and may help with a number ofhealth problems including certain forms of osteoarthritis.As you may know exercise can help improve your attitude,disposition, mood and overall outlook, decrease pain, increaseflexibility, improve the heart and blood flow, maintain weight,and promote general physical fitness.

Reports have shown if done correctly, it has few negative sideeffects. The amount and form of exercise will depend on whichjoints are involved, how stable the joints are, and whether ajoint replacement has already been done.

The proper exercise may help you recapture some range ofmovement in stiff joints.

2. - Weight control: If you suffer from Osteoarthritis and areoverweight or obese you should look to lose weight. Weight losscan help to reduce stress on weight-bearing joints and limitfurther injury. A dietitian can or knowledgeable fitness coachcan help you develop healthy eating habits. A healthy diet andregular exercise of 3 to 6 days a week can help reduce weight.

3. - Medicines: Doctors prescribe medicines to eliminate orreduce pain and to improve functioning. Doctors consider anumber of before giving you medicines for osteoarthritis. Twoimportant considerations are the intensity of your pain and thepotential side effects of the medicine.

You must use medicines carefully and tell your doctors about anychanges that occur with your health.

4 - Surgery : As a last resort a surgery to replace a joint maybe in order from your doctor.

For many people, surgery helps relieve the pain and disabilityof osteoarthritis. Surgery may be performed to remove loosepieces of bone and cartilage from the joint if they are causingmechanical symptoms of buckling or locking Resurface(smooth out) bones Reposition bones Replace joints. Surgeons may replace affected joints with artificial jointscalled prostheses. These joints can be made from metal alloys,high-density plastic, and ceramic material.

Before undertaking expensive surgery or investing in priceymedicines perhaps you should consider taking a health supplementcalled Phosoplex. Phosoplex a product of Optimal Therapeutics,boasts some of the best ingredients available to help alleviatepain associated with Osteoarthritis.

I have used Phosoplex when training in fitness activity to helprid myself of knee and back pain. I would strongly recommendyou investigating this quality product if you seek relief fromOsteoarthritis.

Kamau Austin is a health and fitness enthusiast and advocate.He writes on a regular basis on timeless health and fitness tipsat the Fit After Forty Blog. See more useful health and fitnessnews and tips at'http://www.healthandfitnessvitality.com/blogs/fitnessblog.htm