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Health Line
7 days ago
- Health
- Health Line
Osteoarthritis Complications
Key takeaways Osteoarthritis (OA) can lead to sleep disruption due to pain and stiffness, which can intensify pain and limit mobility. Reduced productivity and weight gain are common complications, as pain and stiffness can decrease activity levels, leading to additional health risks like diabetes and heart disease. OA can also contribute to mental health issues like anxiety and depression, impacting overall quality of life, and may result in other complications like bone death or nerve damage. Osteoarthritis (OA) is a condition that results in joint damage. It's caused by wear and tear of cartilage, the tissue protecting the ends of your bones and joints. This exposes the nerve endings in bones and results in OA pain. OA is the most common form of arthritis. It's degenerative, getting worse with age, but can also occur following injury. Without treatment, chronic pain from OA can lead to complications and can significantly affect your quality of life. What are the symptoms of OA? Common symptoms of OA include: pain, tenderness, and stiffness in joints loss of flexibility bone spurs a grating sensation of bones rubbing together What are the risk factors of OA? Some things put you at a higher risk of getting osteoarthritis, including: Older age: Cartilage deteriorates naturally with age. Gender: Women are more likely to develop OA, though it isn't understood why. Overweight or obese: Extra weight may put more stress on joints. Joint injury: Weak joints are more susceptible to OA. · Hypermobility: Having hypermobile joints or loose ligaments can increase risk. Genetics: Some people inherit the tendency to develop OA. Bone deformities: Being born with malformed bones or cartilage can increase your risk of OA. Certain jobs: Physically demanding jobs or jobs that require repetitive stress on joints can increase your chances of developing OA. What are the complications of OA? For many people, OA is a source of chronic pain that can be exhausting and debilitating. It can also lead to problems with anxiety and depression. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention: Adults with arthritis are about 2.5 times more likely to experience a fall or injury. In 2015, 15 million U.S. adults said they had severe joint pain from arthritis. About 1 in 25 U.S. adults (ages 18 to 64) name arthritis as a cause of work limitations. In addition to causing pain, there are a number of ways in which OA can impact your life. Sleep disruption Achy, tender joints interfere with restful, restorative sleep. Not getting a full night's sleep can make your pain seem intensified. Stiffness and limited range of motion can also keep you from getting comfortable in bed. Reduced productivity Many people miss multiple days of work per year because of chronic joint pain. Arthritis can also result in a decreased ability to perform normal everyday activities such as: household chores cooking getting dressed exercise and other activities In general, function can be improved with treatment. However, some people with OA may need assistance with simple day-to-day activities. Weight gain Pain and stiffness can decrease your desire to be active. You may stop wanting to participate in activities that used to bring you joy. Arthritis may cause a decreased ability to exercise or even walk. The lack of activity doesn't only limit your enjoyment of life — it can cause weight gain. Extra weight may exacerbate OA symptoms, as well as lead to an increased risk of other complications, including: diabetes hypertension heart disease Anxiety and depression A 2010 study investigated the link between anxiety and depression and OA, finding that the pain of OA symptoms negatively affected mental health. More than 40 percent of the study's participants showed increased anxiety and depression as a result of OA symptoms. Other complications Other complications that can arise from OA include: bone death (osteonecrosis) stress fractures bleeding or infection in joints deterioration of tendons and ligaments around joints pinched nerve, in OA of the spine What are the treatment options for OA? There's no cure for OA, so treatment aims to manage symptoms and improve joint function, flexibility, and balance. This helps prevent falls which can lead to fractures. It's important to control pain while increasing mobility and joint functioning. Physical therapy can help increase mobility. Exercise is key to staying limber and maintaining your weight. But be careful not to overuse your joints and make symptoms worse. Take frequent breaks when exercising. There are many medications available to relieve OA pain, including acetaminophen (Tylenol) and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) like ibuprofen. Corticosteroid injections can be given directly into joints to help reduce swelling and relieve pain, and injections of viscosupplements may provide extra cushioning in joints. Depending on the severity of your OA, your doctor may suggest surgery to replace entire joints. Alternative practices can help increase mobility, reduce stress, and improve your general outlook on life. These include: tai chi yoga acupuncture water therapy such as swimming or exercising in a hot tub What's the long-term outlook for people with OA? Osteoarthritis is a degenerative condition. If left untreated, it'll get worse with time. Although death from OA is rare, it's a significant cause of disability among adults. It's important to talk to your doctor if OA is impacting your quality of life. Surgery to replace joints may be an option, as well as pain medication and lifestyle changes.
Yahoo
14-07-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
How to read Environment Canada's air quality index and find out if you're at risk
Wildfire season is upon us once again, and smoke is reducing air quality through swaths of the country. Environment Canada suggests people check the Air Quality Health Index daily to determine how much time to spend outside. Here's how to interpret the index: HOW DO I FIND OUT MY LOCAL AIR QUALITY READING? Environment Canada's air quality index is at You can take a look at the ratings in communities across your province or territory. A rating of 1-3 is low risk, 4-6 is moderate risk, 7-10 is high risk and over 10 is very high risk. The risk designations can change regularly in the same community, Environment Canada says, so it's important to keep checking the air quality forecast. WHAT DO THE RISK RATINGS MEAN? Environment Canada, in consultation with Health Canada, has different recommendations for people especially at risk of suffering health problems when exposed to poor air quality compared to the general population. "At risk" people include those with respiratory issues such as asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), pneumonia, as well those with as heart disease. Infants, young children, pregnant people and elderly people are also considered at higher risk. The government agency lists the various health conditions that put you at higher risk at this website Here's how to interpret the Air Quality Health Index guidance: "Low risk" means everyone can safely be outdoors. "Moderate risk" means the general population doesn't need to change their usual outdoor activities unless they have symptoms such as coughing and throat irritation. But people at risk should "consider reducing or rescheduling strenuous activities outdoors." "High risk" means those at risk should reduce or reschedule strenuous activities outdoors. Children and seniors should "take it easy." The general population should consider reducing or rescheduling strenuous activities if they start coughing or their throats become irritated. "Very high risk" means everyone should reduce or reschedule strenuous activities. People at risk should avoid outdoor activities altogether. This report by The Canadian Press was first published July 14, 2025. Canadian Press health coverage receives support through a partnership with the Canadian Medical Association. CP is solely responsible for this content. The Canadian Press
Bloomberg
14-07-2025
- Business
- Bloomberg
China Banks Stoke Controversy With Loans to Boost Pensions
Rural banks in China have created a public stir by targeting low-income earners and the elderly with loan products designed to plug their pension shortfalls as lenders get creative amid soft borrowing demand. Banks in Hunan and Sichuan provinces have over the past few months offered loans for borrowers to increase their contributions to China's social insurance system in order to draw higher pensions or for making a one-time payments to qualify for old-age benefits.
Reuters
04-07-2025
- Science
- Reuters
Fact Check: Satirical fiery weather map repurposed to doubt climate change
A screenshot of a German weather broadcast altered to satirically show fiery colours has been shared online with the false suggestion it presents evidence that climate change is a hoax and its effects are being exaggerated. 'If you think climate propaganda is strong in the UK... check out the fiery inferno hell shown on German TV. Climate change is a scam,' said a July 1 Facebook post, opens new tab sharing the screenshot, which had a logo apparently indicating the fiery colours had been broadcast on German news programme Tagesthemen. A similar post on X received more than 2 million views, opens new tab. The comments underneath the Facebook post suggest some had taken it as being genuine. 'They may con the youngsters but us elderly know better,' said one comment, opens new tab under the post. However, a spokesperson for Tagesthemen said in an email the screenshot was fake and that it had not broadcast a lava-like map. The image is consistent, opens new tab with the June 28 broadcast, opens new tab of Tagesthemen - in terms of the presenter, his clothes and the temperatures displayed on the map - indicating the screenshot was taken from this programme and then altered. The X account that first published, opens new tab the screenshot, responding to a Reuters request for comment, said, opens new tab the image was satirical. He added that it's a variation of a long-running joke on German social media, pointing to another altered Tagesthemen broadcast posted two years earlier, opens new tab. Satire. The account that posted the image says it is satire. A spokesperson for German news programme Tagesthemen said the image was fake and that it had not broadcast the lava-like map. This article was produced by the Reuters Fact Check team. Read more about our fact-checking work.
Yahoo
12-06-2025
- Climate
- Yahoo
Philadelphia weather: Code Orange Air Quality Alert issued ahead of Thursday heat, haze
The Brief A Code Orange Air Quality Alert for ozone is being declared for Philadelphia and Southwest Pennsylvania for Thursday, officials said. Thursday is forecasted to be the hottest day of the year, so far, and with wildfire smoke from Canada combined with moderately high humidity and a southwest wind, conditions will feel oppressive. PHILADELPHIA - Thursday is likely to be the hottest day of the day, so far, and with hazy, hot and humid conditions, officials have issued a Code Orange Air Quality Action Day for ozone. Those sensitive to uncomfortable humidity or with respiratory issues should take care to stay inside a cooler location. What we know The forecast for Thursday across the region is calling for hazy, hot and humid conditions. Temperatures could exceed 90 degrees in many locations in the Delaware Valley, while dew points will head into the 60s, which can feel uncomfortable. Additionally, winds will blow out of the southwest from 10 to 15 mph, which also creates uncomfortable conditions and wildfire smoke from Canada is continuing to blow into the region. The combined circumstances prompted the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) to issue the alert for the Delaware Valley and in the Pittsburgh region. What you can do Sensitive groups, including the elderly, children, and people with respiratory problems, such as asthma, emphysema and bronchitis, should limit outdoor activities. Otherwise, in order to reduce ozone air pollution, residents and businesses are encouraged to voluntarily participate in one or more activities: Driving less by carpooling or using public transportation Combining errands to reduce vehicle trips Limiting engine idling Refueling cars and trucks after dusk Conserving electricity by setting air conditioning to a higher temperature and turning off lights that are not in use For more on Philadelphia's heat guide, visit the Extreme Heat Guide website, here.
