Osteoarthritis is a degenerative disease which occurs in people over the age of 40. it has the tendency to become worse as one advances in age. The joints in the body get affected and symptoms of arthritis include pain, stiffness and swelling in the joints. Osteoarthritis normally affects only one or two joints like the hips, knees, spine, hands and also the fingers. The cartilage tissue around the joints begins to wear out which cause the bones to rub with each other causing the pain and swelling.

Most of the symptoms of osteoarthritis can affect daily activities like climbing stairs, opening of bottles or jars, walking, bending, kneeling and even getting up from bed in the morning. The symptoms of osteoarthritis become much worse as the disease also advances as one gets older and it has also been found to increase after a period of prolonged inactivity like after a night’s sleep or after sitting continuously. The joint pain becomes so intense that mobility is curbed in the patient as swelling develops in the joints.
The symptoms of osteoarthritis have been known to appear in both men and women who are in the age groups of 40 or 50 and though the symptoms would not be visible during X-Rays only a few people would experience pain and it has also been found to increase after a period of prolonged inactivity like after a night’s sleep or after sitting continuously.

Many of the symptoms of osteoarthritis can be relieved through medication or by simple natural home remedies.  There is no cure for this disease but doctors at the most will recommend surgery for some patients if the pain is too intense and becomes unbearable.  But the best methods or techniques used to get relief form the pain would include activities like exercise, acupuncture and trying out some folk remedies like wearing magnetic or copper bracelets. The moment a person detects any of the symptoms of osteoarthritis one has to immediately start exercising in all possible ways. Patients can try out different types of exercises like flexibility exercises where there is scope for movement of the joints. Walking briskly, swimming and some resistance and endurance exercises are sure to give plenty of relief to the patient.

Applying a heat pad to the affected joints would give some good relief from pain. Taking Omega-3 fatty acids is also advisable for pain relief. Additional food supplements like Glucoasmine and Chondroitin available at health stores have been found to give relief to osteoarthritis.