Mitigate Pain By Understanding What Causes Osteoarthritis to Flare Up
Osteoarthritis also called degenerative or wear-and-tear arthritis is inflammation caused by abnormal wear of the cartilage cushion in the joints.
When a joint is affected by osteoarthritis, this wear and tear lead to the degeneration of cartilage and the body is unable to replenish its supply of cartilage.
Inflammation causes joint pain, stiffness, swelling in a joint, a reduced range of motion in the joint, fatigue, and difficulty sleeping due to pain.
When these symptoms increase suddenly in between periods of calm is what is referred to as a flare up.
Related: What is the Cause of Arthritis | Three Primary Forms of Arthritis
What Causes Osteoarthritis to Flare Up?
The exact cause of an osteoarthritis flare up is unknown. Different from flare ups of other forms of arthritis, those of osteoarthritis are not initiated by inflammation resulting from an immune response.
So what causes osteoarthritis to flare up? Several factors contribute to these flare ups.
• Emotional Stress
People with osteoarthritis frequently notice periods of high stress just before a flare up.
High levels of stress cause difficulty in sleeping, which can further increase a person's sensitivity to joint pains. This is how stress can exacerbate joint pain, which in turn intensifies flare ups.
• Changes in the Weather
Changes in weather can aggravate osteoarthritic symptoms. Many people experience worsened joint pains, stiffness and reduced motion of the joints when the weather is cold or when there is a sudden drop in barometric pressure.
• Injuries
Injuries that occur from an accident, or when playing a sport may increase the risk of osteoarthritis flare ups. Even injuries that occurred many years ago and seemingly healed can increase osteoarthritis pain.
Injuries cause osteoarthritis flare ups when they damage the cartilage or bone. Also if there is a change in the mechanics of the joint, it can lead to further deterioration.
• Excessive Weight Gain
Carrying extra body weight contributes to osteoarthritis flare ups in several ways, and the more you weigh, the higher the risk. Increased body weight puts more stress on weight-bearing joints, such as your hips, knees, and spine.
Besides, fat tissue produces proteins that may cause harmful inflammation in and around your joints.
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• Certain Professions
If your work involves activities that repetitively put stress on a specific joint, that joint may cause a sudden increase in symptoms of osteoarthritis.
Occupations that involve repetitive movements in a specific joint make osteoarthritis flare ups to occur more likely.
• Bone Defects
Some individuals have natural bone deformations. They were born with either defective cartilage or malformed joints, which can increase the risk of osteoarthritis.
Having malformed joints or cartilage defects from birth significantly increases the risk of developing severe symptoms of osteoarthritis leading to flare ups.
• Diet
The food you consume may play a role in an osteoarthritis flare up. People suffering from osteoarthritis have low levels of vitamin D.
Therefore, if they consume foods without Vitamin D, they may have a higher risk of osteoarthritis flare ups, while those with a low vitamin C intake, the osteoarthritis flare ups may occur frequently. Low levels of vitamin K and selenium may also contribute.
