MamasHealth.com Home Bone Information Arthritis Arthritis Treatments Avascular Necrosis Baker's Cyst Bextra Bones Bone Fracture Bone Spur Cervical Spondylosis Degenerative Disc Food for your Bones Gout Hammer Toe Healthy Bones Heel Pain Herniated Disk Joint Dislocation Joint Replacement Kyphosis Legg-Calve Disease Low Back Pain OsteoArthritis OsteoArthritis and Vioxx Osteogenesis Osteomyelitis Osteoporosis Osteoporosis & Men Paget's Disease Polymyositis Psoriatic Arthritis Rheumatoid Arthritis Rheumatoid Arthritis and Celebrex Scoliosis Shin Splints Stress Fractures Links Email Mama Tips to get more vacation time from work Health benefits of sex	What is Osteoarthritis? Osteoarthritis (OS-tee-oh-are-THRY-tis) also referred to as OA, affects about 60 million Americans. It is caused by injury to or wear and tear of the joints over the years. Osteoarthritis most commonly affects hip, knee or the spine. It is one of the oldest and most common types of arthritis. Osteoarthritis most commonly affects middle-aged and older people. It can range from very mild to very severe. What Causes Osteoarthritis? Research has shown that Osteoarthritis is an inevitable part of aging. Obesity, work related injuries and injuries due to sports are also part of the causes of Osteoarthritis. Genetics and Osteoarthritis Persons born with defective cartilage or with slight defects in the way that joints fit together may develop osteoarthritis. Symptoms of Osteoarthritis Some of the most common symptoms are: stiff joints, swollen joints, red and tender joints. The symptoms develop gradually and may not appear all at once. How is Osteoarthritis Diagnosed? Your doctor can diagnose osteoarthritis by an X-ray or MRI Treatment Options for Osteoarthritis Some of the most common treatment options are: Weight loss, exercise, heat and cold therapy, pain medication and surgery. Risks for Developing Osteoarthritis Excessive Weight If you were born 'double jointed' you are vulnerable to Osteoarthritis. Scoliosis (curvature of the spine) puts you at risk. Certain professions also put you at risk for developing osteoarthritis Athletes who use anabolic steroids Football and soccer players who have repeated knee injuries Ballet dancers often develop Osteoarthritis of the feet and toes Arthritis Support Groups	Partner with MamasHealth.com Sign up for our Email Newsletter For Email Marketing you can trust
	Hot Topics: Domestic Violence: A pre-existing condition? Serena: The wanna be vegetarian Personal Story: How I recovered from my Eating Disorder Mama wants to help: Food Bank programs and shelter assistance Lucy Goes Green: Talk dirty to me How to avoid Swine Flu What no one will tell you about tummy tuck surgery Mama's favorite item of the week: Trees for the Future Foods for weight loss Win a Gift Bag filled with Goodies from Stonyfield
	Information obtained from MamasHealth.com™ should not be used as a substitute for professional medical care or attention by a qualified practitioner, nor should it be inferred as such. Always check with your doctor if you have any questions or concerns about a specific condition. Use of this web site constitutes acceptance of the Terms of Use. Contact us: PO Box 2170, Pasadena, CA 91102-2170 ©2000 - 2009 MamasHealth, Inc.™. All rights reserved