{"id":11957,"date":"2019-09-03T08:51:03","date_gmt":"2019-09-03T08:51:03","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/simplyhealth.today\/?p=11957"},"modified":"2021-04-28T20:29:59","modified_gmt":"2021-04-28T20:29:59","slug":"14-known-causes-of-heberdens-nodes","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/simplyhealth.today\/14-known-causes-of-heberdens-nodes\/","title":{"rendered":"14 Known Causes of Heberden’s Nodes"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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Heberden\u2019s nodes are bony growth swellings that will appear in the hands of patients who suffer from osteoarthritis. These nodes were named after the person who explained the science behind these swellings \u2014 William Heberden, Sr. You\u2019ll find that Heberden\u2019s nodes form on the joint that is furthest up on the finger and thus closest to the fingertip. Those that form on the lower joints are referred to as Bouchard\u2019s nodes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

As we\u2019ve mentioned, this occurs as a result of osteoarthritis thus the causes of both conditions line up perfectly. If you want to avoid Heberden\u2019s nodes and osteoarthritis then you have to be aware of what causes them in the first place. Of course, there are far too many factors to mention individually so we\u2019re going to focus on eight of the most common ones. Let\u2019s get right into it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

1. Genetics<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

What you might not know is that osteoarthritis is actually hereditary. If someone in your family had the condition then you\u2019re at a higher risk of developing it later on in your life. That being said it\u2019s not a guarantee so you don\u2019t have to hit the panic button just because your great uncle had it. You should still check on your family history though so that you can be aware of the conditions that run in your bloodline.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

If osteoarthritis <\/a>is one of them then at least you\u2019ll have enough time to take preventative measures such as regular exercise and proper diet to protect yourself from osteoarthritis and Heberden\u2019s nodes as a result. In addition to getting your family medical history from the hospital, you should also ask your parents about it to hear what they have to say. There may be some conditions not noted in the family history that your parents know about.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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2. Age<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

One of the most common causes of osteoarthritis and Heberden\u2019s nodes is age. As you get older, the bones in your body gradually get weaker. This is akin to natural wear and tear on an old car. All the decades of using your bones will reduce its strength as you reach the later years of your life. When your bones are older and weaker, they\u2019ll be more vulnerable to osteoarthritis.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

While you can\u2019t stop aging entirely, you\u2019ll be happy to know that there are some things you can do to slow the process down. For one, you could get regular exercise. Studies have shown that exercise on the regular helps retain your bone strength even as you get older. Diets that are rich in vitamin D<\/a>, magnesium, and calcium will also keep your bone density nice and resilient thus protecting you from any conditions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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3. Obesity<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

You likely already know that you\u2019re at a higher risk for strokes, heart attacks, and a myriad of other diseases when you\u2019re obese<\/a>. Add osteoarthritis and Heberden\u2019s nodes to that list as obesity is actually a risk factor for these conditions as well. The added weight means that your bones will experience more stress on a daily basis.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

As the years pass you by, this excessive weight burdening your bones will hasten their aging process and thus put you at a higher risk of developing osteoarthritis that leads to Heberden\u2019s nodes. Fortunately, the solution to this lies in losing weight. There are countless gyms that help obese people get back to normal and healthy body weights. The sooner you do this, the less chance you\u2019ll have of suffering from the bone conditions covered in this article. It\u2019s worth noting that you should still seek nutrition while losing weight rather than starving yourself.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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4. Diabetes<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

You might be surprised to hear that diabetes <\/a>can actually also increase your risk of developing osteoarthritis and Heberden\u2019s nodes. Metabolic diseases such as diabetes have been linked to higher odds of developing bone conditions despite the exact cause of not being very clear. It\u2019s worth noting that obesity is actually a risk factor for diabetes meaning that some people could be both obese and diabetic.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

These people are in a high-risk group for the development of osteoarthritis and Heberden\u2019s nodes. Fortunately, a few studies showed that treating diabetes itself reduced the odds of the patient developing osteoarthritis later in life. In addition to regulating glucose levels through the use of insulin, regular exercise and proper dieting can also alleviate some symptoms associated with diabetes. If you want to avoid osteoarthritis and Heberden\u2019s nodes then ensure that you follow the diabetic treatment plan prescribed by your doctor.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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5. Hemochromatosis<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Doctors are notorious for coming up with long terms that make everything sound way more complicated than they are. Such is the case here because hemochromatosis actually just means that you have too much iron in your blood. This might sound confusing to you as iron is generally regarded as good for your bone health. However, as the saying goes, too much of a good thing can still be bad.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

There have been multiple studies showing that having too much iron in your blood can actually increase your risk of developing osteoarthritis <\/a>as well as Heberden\u2019s nodes. Hemochromatosis can be hereditary meaning that it was passed down genetically, or the result of an underlying condition. Liver diseases are a common cause of hemochromatosis, thus those with liver diseases should be on the lookout for osteoarthritis.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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6. Repetitive joint stress<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Repetitive stress <\/a>on a specific joint could lead to osteoarthritis down the road. For instance, someone who practices speedcubing \u2014 the act of solving a Rubik\u2019s cube as fast as possible \u2014 for years might later develop osteoarthritis in the fingers of their joints as a result of the repetitive stress. This will, in turn, lead to the development of Heberden\u2019s nodes. Various jobs can also increase your odds of developing these conditions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

For instance, if you\u2019re a court stenographer who spends all day writing at baffling speeds then you might be putting repetitive stress on the joints of your fingers. There have even been some studies conducted that show a higher rate of osteoarthritis among court stenographers specifically due to the nature of their job. Avoiding high-risk jobs can reduce your risk of developing these diseases at any point in your life.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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7. Joint injuries<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

In the same way that repetitive joint stress can lead to the development of osteoarthritis, joint injuries can also increase your risk of developing the condition. For instance, if you were in a car crash and suffered an injury to your joints <\/a>then you could be at a higher risk of developing osteoarthritis later in life. Even if the injury seems to have healed fully, it will still increase your risk of developing osteoarthritis and Heberden\u2019s nodes as a result.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Studies have shown that receiving physical therapy following an injury to your joints may reduce the likelihood of osteoarthritis and Heberden\u2019s nodes developing later on. That being said, the best way to avoid these conditions is by preventing accidents in the first place. Drunk driving is one of the most common ways that you may suffer an accident that will injure your joints so staying sober while on the road is a great preventative measure.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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8. Gender<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Women are more susceptible to developing osteoarthritis and as a result also Heberden’s nodes. You might be wondering why women would be more vulnerable to bone disease when they\u2019re of the very same species. Well, for one, they have to give birth while men don\u2019t. Many studies have shown that childbirth can lead to the development of osteoarthritis due to the strain that it puts on the bones.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The joints of women are also far more flexible than that of men. Doctors believe that increased flexibility <\/a>of the joints can make someone more susceptible to osteoarthritis and Heberden’s nodes. If you\u2019re a woman and you notice some of the symptoms associated with osteoarthritis then you should get yourself checked up so that you can nip the problem at the bud and treat it before Heberden\u2019s nodes develop. A quick response is the best defense against bone and joint problems of this nature.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\r\n

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