Arthritic fingers can be painful

DEAR DR. GOTT: My doctor X-rayed my hands and said I have osteo in them. They get stiff and ache. What should I take for it and what should I not eat? Thank you for your help.

DEAR READER: I assume you are referring to osteoarthritis, not osteoporosis because of your claim that your hands are stiff.
Osteoarthritis is a chronic disease of the joints that results from a breakdown of cartilage. Symptoms include pain and stiffness of the affected joints. The condition is commonly associated with aging. As such, it is seen more in older people than in younger ones.

Healthy cartilage is smooth, elastic and flexible, allowing for easy movement. When osteoarthritis occurs, the surface of the cartilage softens, becomes pitted, frayed and/or cracked. [Read more...]