What is Osteoarthritis? What you need to know about the different types of arthritis

ROCKLEDGE, Fla. - April 23, 2014 - PRLog -- Since being in practice for 10 years I have seen a lot of patients with a variety of health issues. Many patients come in because of pain due to arthritis. Arthritis occurs in men or women. Arthritis is inflammation of 1 or more joints. A joint is where two bones meet.

Arthritis can cause pain and/or swelling, decreased range of motion, stiffness, or warmth around a joint. Many patients come to me and say my doctor said I have arthritis. It seems many patients don't know what type of arthritis they have.

There are many different types of arthritis. They include Osteoarthritis, Gout, Rheumatoid, Ankylosing spondylitis, Juevenile rheumatoid, Psoriatic, scleroderma, lupus, and many more. There are over 100 different types of arthritis. Osteoarthritis is the most common type of arthritis. Arthritis happens when the breakdown of cartilage occurs. Once the cartilage is worn down, then the bone rubs together causing pain. Our bodies are highly intelligent and it knows what to do when we have inflammation in our body. When you have inflammation then the body responds and says we have to protect the inflamed area so the body lays down calcium, ie Arthritis.

The goal of treatment is to reduce pain, improve function, and prevent further joint damage. There are many different treatment options. Chiropractic, exercise (after the pain and inflammation are decreased), massage therapy, ice or heat, or even the use of a splint. Other things you can do is eat foods rich in omega-3 fatty acids along with a diet full of fruits and vegetables. Weight loss can take unnecessary stress on your joints. If you do not respond to natural treatment options then you may want to talk to your doctor about medication and even surgery if all else has failed.

I see many people with moderate to severe arthritis and many of them have injuries that were not properly addressed. Many people don't know they have osteoarthritis until they are unfortunately in pain and have an x-ray taken. There are no lab tests for osteoarthritis. Early diagnosis and treatment can help prevent joint damage. If you have a family history of arthritis, tell your doctor, even if you do not have pain.

Yours in Health,

Marco J. La Starza, D.C.