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Osteoarthritis (OA) is the most common form of arthritis. Some people call it degenerative joint disease or “wear and tear” arthritis. It occurs most frequently in the hands, hips, and knees. With OA, the cartilage within a joint begins to break down and the underlying bone begins to change. These changes usually develop slowly and get worse over time. OA can cause pain, stiffness, and swelling. In some cases it also causes reduced function and disability; some people are no longer able to do daily tasks or work. What are the signs and symptoms of OA?
How many people have OA?OA affects over 32.5 million US adults. What causes OA?OA is caused by damage or breakdown of joint cartilage between bones. What are the risk factors for OA?
Top of Page How is OA diagnosed?A doctor diagnoses OA through a review of symptoms, physical examination, X-rays, and lab tests.
There is no cure for OA, so doctors usually treat OA symptoms with a combination of therapies, which may include the following:
In addition to these treatments, people can gain confidence in managing their OA with self-management strategies. These strategies help reduce pain and disability so people with osteoarthritis can pursue the activities that are important to them. These five simple and effective arthritis management strategies can help.
CDC’s Arthritis Program recommends five self-management strategies for managing arthritis and its symptoms.
Learn more about osteoarthritisLearn more about ArthritisAn overuse injury can occur when you take on too much repetitive physical activity at once. You may have heard the expression, “Slow and steady wins the race.” It means to pace yourself, and it surely applies to exercise. Your body needs time to adjust to new movements, load, speed and duration of activity. Follow these tips to avoid overuse injuries to your muscles, tendons and bones so that you can remain in the game:
Medically reviewed by Valinda Riggins Nwadike, MD, MPH — Written by Kirsten Nunez on December 8, 2020
Share on PinterestGuille Faingold/Stocksy United Whether you’re a competitive athlete or have a job that requires you to be on the move, you’re likely familiar with hard work. Many occupations and hobbies require repetitive and continuous activities. However, it’s possible to overdo it. This can be stressful on your body and mind — which can result in overexertion. Overexerting yourself can lead to pain, discomfort, or even injury. That’s why it’s important to be mindful of your limits and listen to your body. The good news is that it’s possible to protect yourself from overexertion. In this article, we’ll explore the causes and symptoms of overexertion, plus ways to avoid it. When you push yourself too hard, it’s known as overexertion. This involves physical or mental effort that’s beyond your current abilities. Overexertion depends on many factors, such as your:
Due to these factors, different people will become overexerted at different points. We all have our own physical and mental limits. Overexertion can be unsafe. It can lead to serious injuries, like: It may also limit your ability to keep doing an activity in the future. Typically, overexertion is related to certain activities or motions. Let’s take a closer look at some of the most common causes of overexertion. Repetitive movementsWhen you repeatedly move a joint or muscle over a long period of time, it can lead to overexertion. The repetitive movements can put strain on your body, leading to pain or discomfort. Repetitive movements are often associated with activities like:
Improper techniqueOverexertion may stem from doing an activity or task incorrectly. This can place stress on your muscles, bones, joints, and connective tissues and cause overexertion injuries. Examples of improper technique include:
Sudden body movementsA sudden, forceful movement can also cause overexertion. This is more likely to happen if your technique is incorrect. Abrupt movements that can lead to overexertion injuries include:
Prolonged activityIf you continuously do an activity without regular breaks, you’ll eventually become fatigued. The excess physical effort can be hard on your body. Prolonged activity might be related to:
Similarly, you can develop mental overexertion after focusing on a cognitive activity for an extended period of time. For instance, you may feel mentally burned out after many hours of studying or working. Extreme temperaturesAnother potential cause is doing an activity in extreme temperatures. When it’s very hot or cold, your body needs to work extra hard to maintain its normal temperature. As a result, you may need to push yourself harder to do basic activities, resulting in overexertion. Overexertion due to extreme temperatures is often associated with activities like outdoor manual labor and exercising outdoors. If you’ve overexerted yourself, you may have the following signs and symptoms: PainPain is a common sign that you’re overexerting yourself. You may have pain that feels sharp or achy. It may also be more of a burning, tingling, throbbing, or pinching sensation. If you have pain, stop the activity immediately. Rest and take a break. If the pain continues or get worse, talk with your doctor. Overuse injuryAn overuse injury, or a repetitive strain injury, typically develops slowly over time. Some examples of common overuse injuries include:
Common symptoms of overuse injuries include:
It’s possible that you may only feel these symptoms when you’re doing a specific activity. You’ll typically need to connect with a doctor, so they can help you treat this type of injury. Treatment for a repetitive strain injuries often involves:
FatigueAnother common symptom is fatigue. It can be physical or mental, depending on the cause of overexertion. Signs of physical fatigue can include:
Mental fatigue may cause symptoms such as: In either case, avoid forcing yourself to work for extended periods of time. Allow yourself to rest and focus on healthy lifestyle habits, like:
Increased injuries or sicknessOverexertion makes it difficult for your body to heal after strenuous activities. Likewise, it can impair your immune system, making you more prone to sickness. If you keep getting injured or sick, it may be time to take a mental or physical break from what you’ve been doing. Again, eating healthy and getting enough sleep can help your body recover. Difficulty breathingIf you’re unable to breathe during a physical task, try reducing the intensity of the activity. Avoid holding your breath, and breathe deeply to help your body and brain get the oxygen they need. Deep breathing can also help your body relax. There are ways to avoid physical overexertion while working or doing physical activities. Follow these tips to prevent physical burnout and injuries:
If you feel mentally exhausted or overwhelmed from work, parenting, or daily stressors, you can take certain steps to help you cope. Some options include:
Overexertion is typically caused by repetitive movements, sudden motions, or prolonged effort. It may also be related to incorrect technique or working in extreme temperatures. If you’re overexerted, you may develop fatigue, pain, or become more prone to injuries. Overexertion isn’t only physical. You can also overexert yourself mentally if you work too hard or feel overwhelmed by too many tasks and challenges. It’s worth noting that overexertion doesn’t mean you’re weak or unable to do something. Instead, it’s a sign that your body or mind needs to rest. To avoid overexertion, take regular breaks, don’t overdo things, and pay attention to your body’s warning signs. Last medically reviewed on December 8, 2020 |