Osteoarthritis is an inflammation of the joints which primarily affects our weight-bearing joints around the hips and knee areas.
As we age, all of us can expect to develop a degree of wear and tear and a significant number of people do receive treatment for osteoarthritis from their medical physician although a lot of patients tend to self medicate.
The risk of developing osteoporosis clearly increases with age and you are particularly susceptible if you have a family history or you have an injured joint which has since healed.
Any moving joint is particularly susceptible including the knees, hands, feet, ankles and even your spine which are the most commonly affected areas of the body.
Osteoarthritis tends to manifest itself through pain and stiffness of the joints particularly upon waking where sufferers will notice a swelling and creaking around the affected joint area.
The condition is frequently exasperated in damp and cold weather.
Although there is no cure for osteoarthritis there are simple yet effective remedies you can take such a simple painkillers if taken on a regular basis.
Anti-inflammatory medicines can also be of help.
If you are suffering from osteoarthritis it is important to ensure you keep as active as possible.
Although you may be suffering from discomfort the best treatment is to keep active which will actually help reduce the swelling and improve the condition.
It can of course be difficult to exercise if you're experiencing pain in your muscles but the less active you become starts to create a vicious circle.
The increased weight gain is likely to place further pressure upon your already pressured joints.
Swimming is a great choice to help osteoarthritis sufferers as it assists the flexibility of the joints and the benefit of the water helps to place only a limited pressure on your joints making it an ideal exercise.
A popular remedy in the marketplace today is the glucosamine supplement and there is a degree of conflicting information around whether or not this is a benefit.
An older tried and tested remedy is cod liver oil supplements and extract of rosehip which are also preferred by sufferers along with Omega 3 oils which are located in fatty fish such as mackerel trout and sardines.