| Osteoarthritis is the most common type of arthritis, | | | | NOT ignore the pain and assume it will "just go away." |
| affecting about 21 million Americans. This degenerative | | | | If it is, indeed, osteoarthritis, the pain will not decrease |
| disease causes limited range of motion in the affected | | | | with time. Taking action NOW is key to managing pain |
| joints and can affects the most basic of daily activities. | | | | and keeping yourself healthy. |
| In the worst cases, osteoarthritis results in debilitating | | | | The first course of action many people take is |
| pain. | | | | over-the-counter or prescription anti-inflammatory |
| Unlike other forms of arthritis, which are genetically | | | | medications, called NSAIDs. These popular medications |
| linked, osteoarthritis affects people of every race, age | | | | are advertised as cure-alls for whatever ails you, but |
| and gender... athletes and couch potatoes alike. Despite | | | | they do not come without risks. From gastrointestinal |
| the seemingly random nature of osteoarthritis, there | | | | upset to stroke, for some patients the treatment is |
| are certain risk factors for developing the disease. | | | | worse than the disease! In fact, NSAIDs do nothing |
| Injury, aging and overweight all contribute to one's risk. | | | | more than decrease inflammation temporarily. As the |
| Athletes, such as soccer and tennis players, are | | | | patient continues to use the medications, a larger dose |
| particularly susceptible to developing osteoarthritis due | | | | is required to achieve a minimum level of relief. |
| to the abnormal wear and tear on the weight bearing | | | | There is another option for osteoarthritis suffers |
| joints of their bodies. | | | | wanting immediate and lasting relief. With a lot of |
| Because of the progressive nature of osteoarthritis, | | | | medical practitioners onboard now, more and more |
| continued use of the damaged joints causes the | | | | people are turning to natural supplementation that has |
| damage to worsen and pain to increase. Identifying | | | | proven itself effective over and over again - |
| osteoarthritis early can mean the difference between | | | | glucosamine and chondroitin. |
| a lifetime of manageable or excruciating pain. | | | | To understand why glucosamine and chondroitin |
| Moreover, while it is possible to identify osteoarthritis | | | | supplementation are so effective, it is important to |
| early, it is impossible to cure the condition... this is why | | | | understand what happens in a joint affected by |
| early detection and treatment are so vital. | | | | osteoarthritis. Another name for osteoarthritis - |
| In most cases, osteoarthritis develops over time and | | | | wear-and-tear arthritis - gives some clue - the |
| the pain is not constant. You may experience a stiff | | | | repeated use of a joint, "wear and tear," wears away |
| joint at first - particularly when rising from sleep or | | | | the cartilage cushion in affected joints. The cartilage is |
| after prolonged periods of sitting. Perhaps your knee | | | | worn away too quickly to be replenished and |
| "gives out" when walking down stairs or crouching | | | | inflammation results as the bones make contact with |
| down. These could be signs of osteoarthritis. | | | | each other. |
| The most important advice you may receive is to | | | | |