Hyaluronic Acid
Hyaluronic acid (HA) is not an alien element, it is naturally found in the human body. Basically, in the highest concentrations in fluids in the eyes and joints. In the laboratory, it is extracted from rooster combs or made by bacteria for medical uses.
It has many uses in various sectors and mainly people take hyaluronic acid for joint disorders, including osteoarthritis.
Generally, hyaluronic acid injects into the affected joint by a professional but if you are afraid of injections there is good news for you guys. You can take it by mouth.
It is very effective in eyesight so the FDA has approved the use of hyaluronic acid during certain eye surgeries. This list including cataract removal, corneal transplantation, and repair of a detached retina and other eye injuries. It helps replace natural fluids during the procedure.
It is also used as a lip filler in the world of cosmetics. Many people use hyaluronic acid to the skin for healing wounds, burns, skin ulcers, and as a moisturizer.
In the cosmetic industry they use hyaluronic acid to prevent the effects of aging.
Do you know, “Hyaluronic Acid” has been known as a “Fountain of Youth?”
Hyaluronic Acid History
You probably guessed, some of the most interesting research to emerge in recent years regarding hyaluronic acid.
Believe it or not, this product was commercially manufactured in 1942.
It’s sold both in liquid and powder form. In liquid forms, it contains a preservative and perhaps even propylene glycol and alcohol, but the powder does not and is preferable.
It’s formulations always combine low, medium and high molecular weights, as a next-generation hyaluronic acid crosspolymer for better hydration.
It belongs to the extracellular matrix (ECM) molecules of the skin. You usually hear about the primary skin layers (epidermis, the dermis, and the underlying subcutis) but rarely the matrix of ECM molecules that lies between cells of these layers.
This ECM molecules helps build the skin layers and has an important role in regulating cellular functions. ECM molecules are compost of glycosaminoglycans, proteoglycans, growth factors, and structural proteins (like collagen).
Some researchers have found that higher levels of HA increased protection from reactive oxygen species (free radical damage), arthritis, chondrocytes that raise inflammation, certain types of cancer, lung injury, abnormal immune regulation, eye disorders and more.
Are there any side effects
Side effects of hyaluronic acid injections are very rare. But if you face any side effects of injection tell your doctor.
Most common possible side effects generally known as local side effects may include:
- Redness and tenderness at the injection area
- Increased stiffness, swelling or warmth inflammation, this may be lasting 24 to 48 hours.
- All local reactions may be treated by resting and applying ice to the injected area, you can also use simple pain relievers.
Less common or rare possible side effects such as:
Sometimes patients may face allergies like rashes, hives, itching, flushing and swelling of the face, tongue or throat, chest tightness and shortness of breath. If you experience any of these symptoms contact your doctor straight away to reduce that.
The rare case that, a joint may become severely inflamed after injection. A very little percentage of people report that infection in the joint may develop after the injection. If you feel the pain and swelling increases a great deal or the joint becomes red and hot contact your doctor quickly.
There are some other side effects that have been observed which include headache, muscle pain, nausea, sore throat, and flu-like symptoms.
Hyaluronic Acid Benefits for Skin and Joints (Anti-Aging Acid)
Many people spend countless hours using harmful beauty products to keep themselves looking vibrant and young. In this case, Hyaluronic acid (HA) can keep your skin glowing, without the harmful side effects of toxic skin products.
Dermatologists and other physicians support hyaluronic acid ability to improve skin’s texture and appearance and reducing the symptoms associated with aging.
Hyaluronic acid is lubricating, it produced by the body naturally. It is found in the joints, eye sockets also in other tissues where it helps retain collagen, enhancement moisture, and bring elasticity and flexibility.
Nowadays, you can find hyaluronic acid lotions, creams, serums, and supplements sold. If you need immediate action your practitioner might offer it in the form of injection.
Hyaluronic Acid Injections for Osteoarthritis
Our body naturally produces hyaluronic acid, it’s a part of the fluid that helps lubricate and cushion your joints and keeps them working smoothly.
When you have osteoarthritis (OA), there is lack of hyaluronic acid in the affected joint. So adding to your body’s natural supply your doctor refers to these injections as ” Viscosupplementation” which literally means they help the fluid in your joints.
It’s hard to predict who will benefit from hyaluronic acid injections. If painkillers or non-drug treatments such as heat or ice do not give you comfort, the doctor suggests that.
How Hyaluronic Acid Injections Treat Arthritis
Hyaluronic acid, also known as hyaluronan. Arthritis patients lose hyaluronic acid as their joint wears away. The injections are FDA-approved for knee osteoarthritis and viscosupplementation would make using the joint less painful.
you may try all conservative treatments first, like weight loss, exercise, NSAID medications, and steroid injections. If those treatments don’t work, hyaluronic injections may be an option.
Some patients might have some serious conditions for which for first-line treatments would be contraindicated. Some patients might require hyaluronic acid injections along with steroid injections as well.
Hyaluronic acid injections are often considered a last-ditch effort before knee replacement surgery.
The actual process is fairly simple. The solution directly injected into the affected knee joint, particularly within the synovial fluid that bathes the joint.
The results quite variable but many patients report six months of relief.
Medical Treatment for Osteoarthritis of the Shoulder
Our shoulder joint contains a small amount of a gel-like substance called synovial fluid. This fluid cushions and lubricates the joint so that we can move them smoothly. Synovial fluid has a component known as hyaluronic acid, it helps to make it adhesive, or sticky and thick. Sometimes synovial fluid thins out, and so it becomes less effective as a lubricator.
Doctors can inject hyaluronic acid generally produced in a laboratory into the synovial fluid in the shoulder joint. This can increase the fluid’s viscosity and improve the joint’s gliding motion. By the help of this, we again gain the joint function without pain. Most practitioners recommend limiting hyaluronic injections to one per year. Though the procedure has been found to be safe and rarely has side effects.
Hyaluronic acid injections bring immediate relief to some people, but doctors can’t predict when an injection is going to be effective. They are continuing to explore the effectiveness of these injections.
What other precautions are necessary
After the injection: It is recommended that strenuous activity such as high impact sport such as jogging, tennis or prolonged weight-bearing activities are avoided for about 48 hours after the injection.
Infection: You should avoid hyaluronic acid injections if you have an infection in your joint or a skin disease or infection around the area where the injection will be given.
Circulation: This injection will not be given if you have circulatory problems in your legs. Discuss with your doctor if you have significant swelling or blood clots in your legs.
Allergy: If you have had a previous allergic reaction to hyaluronic-based products.
Uses and Effectiveness of Hyaluronic Acid
Cataracts
Already you know it is very effective for eyesight, so during cataract surgery by an eye surgeon, injecting hyaluronic acid into the eye are known as a common and safe procedure.
Sores in the mouth
Hyaluronic acid is effective for treating mouth sores to gain maximum result it is applied as a gel to the human skin.
Aging skin
Some well-known products like Juvederm Ultra Plus are treating aging skin pretty well. After injecting a specific hyaluronic acid product into smile lines it reduces the lines for up to one year.
Osteoarthritis
It also can be effective for stiffness and joint pain when injected into the joint by a healthcare provider.
This treatment is also approved by the FDA, but results may vary from person to person. Some people observe moderate improvement in joint stiffness and pain but this is not always the case.
Dry eye
Some research shows that applying a specific hyaluronic acid into the eye might relieve dry eye.
Eye trauma
Hyaluronic acid might be injected into the eye to treat detached retina or other eye injuries and there is some research to support that too.
Healing skin wounds and burns: Applying hyaluronic acid to the human skin might be helpful for treating burns and skin wounds.
You may wonder that Hyaluronic acid was first used commercially in 1942 as an egg white substitute in bakery products.
Hyaluronic acid was originally derived from rooster comb. This form is still available, today lab-created fermentation process. It’s safer and effective than prior.
Hyaluronic acid has many benefits like firming aging skin, reducing achy joints, moisturizing wounds, and rewetting dry eyes. So we can use it, obviously consulting your practitioner first.