Osteoarthritis is a condition that affects both men and women - in fact over 20 million people in the USA alone. It is a type ofarthritisthat is caused by the breakdown and eventual loss of cartilage of one or more joints. The cartilage is the cushioning substance that protects our bones from rubbing against each other. There are also over 100 other types of arthritis.

So when doesosteoarthritisstart to affect people? Generally we find that osteoarthritis starts to affect people as they age. Before the age of 45, osteoarthritis occurs more frequently in males and after the age of 55, it can occur more frequently in females.

Although arthritis is primarily caused just by aging, it does not affect everyone. Through aging, the water content within the cushioning cartilage increases and the protein within degenerates. This leads to the loss of the cartilage between the bones causing pain. Repetitive use of the worn joints will cause inflammation causing swelling. It is also known that osteoarthritis can be genetic and passed down in a family.

Other factors leading to arthritis can be disease or condition. Conditions relate to obesity, repeated trauma or surgery. Being overweight is causing more concern for people in the medical profession as the number of people complaining of pain and arthritic conditions is escalating.

What can be done then to help this painful disease? There are someosteoarthritis treatmentavailable and otherarthritis treatmentthat may help to alleviate pain. Diet is the first thing to look at in order to help take stress off of your body or insure that there are enough good nutrients in your body to help with the disease. Other companies offer treatments that can go a long way to helping you get to the activities you may have done before. Osteoarthritis in the knees or hips will cause much pain and suffering and stop you from being able to complete your normal, everyday tasks and interested that keep you young!