Arthritis Osteoporosis

Arthritis/osteoporosis are two common diseases which primarily affect older persons. They both have things in common, such as affecting the joints and skeletal system and both can lead to disability if left untreated. There are fundamental differences of each, however, and it is important that you don’t think they are the same thing. Even so, arthritis/osteoporosis are both dangerous and you should learn about each of them, especially if you are getting older. Research has shown that the majority of men and women do not fully understand the differences.

Arthritis

Arthritis is a group of diseases that affect the joints and the surrounding areas. This group includes: inflammatory arthritis, degenerative joint disease, rheumatism, and miscellaneous arthritis. The most common symptom of this group is pain and inflammation in and surrounding the joints. Although disability can result, it may be waylaid by taking care of yourself, getting proper rest, and going through rehabilitation. Make sure you are diagnosed with a specific type of arthritis so that you may be prescribed the correct drugs and take the correct treatments. The most common form is osteoarthritis in which the cartilage that provides cushion to the joints wears away and creates inflammation.

Osteoporosis

The term osteoporosis literally means “porous bones.” When a person receives this disease, their bones will lose mass and strength as a result of a loss of protein and mineral content, primarily calcium. It is a major health problem in the United States with nearly 28 million people afflicted by it. Many factures are caused by it which can lead to disability and even death. It most often affects senior citizens and women who have been through menopause. Because of the weakening of the bones which menopause causes, women are most likely to become afflicted with the disease.

Conclusion

If you suffer from arthritis/osteoporosis, it is crucial that you see your primary care physician or an orthopedic surgeon as soon as possible so you can do whatever you can to waylay the effects and hopefully undo the damage that has already occurred. One option you have is to see a chiropractor. Chiropractic care has been shown to be a great supplement to the other treatments your physician may recommend to you. Whether it’s your general care physician or a chiropractor, if you see a doctor for your arthritis/osteoporosis, you will definitely feel good about your decision and will be doing a lot for your health.