Symptoms and Prevention of Osteoarthritis

With a bachelor of science in pharmacology from Saint John’s University, Ellen Scharaga has extensive expertise in the field of pharmacy. Before starting to work at Alegria Specialty Pharmacy as an operational consultant, Ellen Scharaga was the senior vice president of oncology pharmacy services at OncoMed.

Alegria is a specialty pharmaceutical company focused on ensuring the best patient outcomes through new and innovative specialty medications. The pharmaceutical maker is a specialist in treatment for conditions such as infertility, hepatitis C, and osteoarthritis (OA).

OA is the most common type of arthritis, and women are more likely to develop this condition than men. It tends to occur due to an injury, obesity, or in middle age, and the symptoms tend to worsen over the years. As a joint disease, the most common symptom of OA is pain in one or more joints during activity or after prolonged activity. Other symptoms may include swelling of the joints and stiffness after a long rest.

Preventing OA and improving joint health is possible. It is essential to manage occupational risks that may include much lifting, kneeling, and walking.

Low impact exercise is also proven to maintain healthy joints and to relieve stiffness. People with excessive weight are much more likely to develop OA, so maintaining a healthy weight and preventing obesity is also a way to lower the risk or effects of OA.