Great Sources of Osteoarthritis Information

Osteoarthritis is a medical condition marked by erosion of cartilage, the spongy tissue that supports the bones and facilitates movement. When cartilage deteriorates, bones are left to rub against each other, causing friction and pain. Joint pain may occur during or after use of the affected parts of the body, or immediately following long periods of rest. Swollen joints-which may or may not be accompanied by pain-are another common indicator of osteoarthritis. If you experience any of these symptoms, make sure to consult your physician.

Once you're diagnosed, your doctor will prescribe one or more of the following treatment options: medication, moderate exercise, hot and cold compresses, braces or crutches, or surgery. The method or methods selected will depend on the type and severity of your condition. While you should definitely follow the advice of your doctor, you may also want to spend some time educating yourself about osteoarthritis. This is easily accomplished by reading up on the subject. Here are a few solid resources to get you started:

1. The Arthritis Foundation's Guide to Good Living with Osteoarthritis, edited by the Arthritis Foundation, $16.95 (paperback), available at Amazon.com

The Arthritis Foundation is a national nonprofit dedicated to improving the lives of people with arthritis. They both support and give constructive criticism to the branch of the medical community that devotes its time to researching this condition. In this comprehensive introductory guide, the Foundation has compiled some of the best informational essays from arthritis researchers. The accessible writing and positive tone make this a must-have for anyone with osteoarthritis.

2. Arthritis Self-Management Magazine, 6 issues per year, $4 per issue or $9.97 per year via subscription, available at Amazon.com

This bimonthly magazine provides current information about arthritis and its related treatments. The focus of each issue is on self-care, teaching readers the newest techniques to manage their arthritis, along with older, tried and true ones that they may not know about. Every article is written by a medical professional, to ensure accuracy. A great resource for those who have been recently diagnosed with arthritis.

3. WebMD - Better Information. Better Health., http://www.webmd.com

WebMD is the most trusted source of health-related information on the internet, due to its staff of medical professionals who write or edit each article. There is a massive amount of information here, but finding what you need is simple, thanks to the site-specific search engine. The easy-to-navigate format, clearly worded articles, and beautiful graphics make WebMD very user friendly. Those with arthritis will find everything from a list of the condition's symptoms to a breakdown of the different holistic treatments available.

Risk Factors of Arthritis

Source:"Arthritis: Osteoarthritis Basics"