Arthritis Relief

Arthritis

Arthritis Relief



Arthritis is often referred to as a chronic disease. This means that it can affect the person afflicted with arthritis over a long period of time, perhaps for the rest of a person's life. It cannot be cured, but it can be treated through a variety of products, both prescription and over-the-counter, as well as natural and medical-related methods. Learning how to manage your pain over the long term is an important factor in controlling the disease and maintaining a good quality of life. The following information is a brief overview of some of the methods and joint pain products that arthritis sufferers can use to alleviate many of the symptoms associated with both osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis, especially joint pain.



Over-the-Counter and Prescription Drugs Used for Osteoarthritis



Osteoarthritis is caused by the deterioration or destruction of cartilage within the joint. At this time, there are no prescription drugs that have been shown to slow or halt the damage to the afflicted joint. Despite this, there are many drugs, both over-the-counter and prescription, which can help ease pain and stiffness associated with arthritis and some over-the-counter supplements that studies suggest slow the deterioration of cartilage in arthritic joints.



Acetaminophen



People afflicted with osteoarthritis often times have very little inflammation. As such, pain relievers such as acetaminophen (the active ingredient in Tylenol) are often effective. Acetaminophen is a pain reliever but does not reduce swelling. In many cases, the acetaminophen is the first and only drug needed to control the joint pain associated with osteoarthritis. Acetaminophen is often recommended because of its low cost, pain relief effectiveness, and lack of serious side effects. It does not cause stomach irritation and is less likely than nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), described later, to cause long-term side effects. Research has shown that acetaminophen relieves pain as effectively as NSAIDs for many patients with osteoarthritis. People with liver disease, people who drink alcohol heavily, and those taking blood- thinning medicines or NSAIDs should use acetaminophen with caution.



Glucosamine and Chondroitin



Many people with osteoarthritis find relief from nutritional supplements such as glucosamine and chondroitin. Both glucosamine and chondroitin are synthesized by the body and are naturally found in cartilage. Studies indicate that glucosamine and chondroitin can help alleviate joint pain related to osteoarthritis and improves general joint function including greater joint flexibility. Several of these studies indicate that glucosamine may help as much as nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) such as aspirin, ibuprofen, naproxen, and tolmetin in relieving symptoms of osteoarthritis, particularly joint pain, with fewer side effects. Other studies even suggest that glucosamine and chondroitin may actually help rebuild damaged joint cartilage. It appears that together they help offset joint space narrowing and the loss of cartilage within the joint, and provide the necessary building blocks to rebuild cartilage damaged by injury, repetitive motion, and osteoarthritis, while stimulating production of new cartilage. Researchers theorize that glucosamine assists in the creation of new cartilage, while chondroitin slows cartilage destruction.



Prescription Nonsteroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drugs (NSAIDs)



This class of drugs includes aspirin and ibuprofen that are used to reduce pain and inflammation and may be used for both short-term and long-term relief in people with osteoarthritis and, more commonly, rheumatoid arthritis. NSAIDs also include Vioxx (rofecoxib), Celebrex (celecoxib), and Bextra (valdecoxib), all of which are classified as COX-2 inhibitors. COX-2 inhibitors work by blocking an enzyme known to cause an inflammatory response. COX-2 inhibitors had been approved for short-term use in the treatment of pain, and for longer-term use to treat the signs and symptoms of osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis.



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