Osteoarthritis - Trends in Treatment Offer Hope to Millions

Pain.

For the estimated 20 million sufferers of arthritis in the United States, pain is a constant and dependable companion. Sufferers of this disease - which comes in many forms and does not discriminate - search, often without much success, for relief.

For many, the first step taken when the pain becomes noticeable is a trip to the local mega-mart or corner pharmacy for an over-the-counter painkiller such as Tylenol, Advil or Motrin. The receipts add up as more and more medication is purchased, and the pain increases regardless of the medication.

At this point, some will take their search for relief to their physician. X-rays, blood tests and physical examinations may result in a diagnosis of osteoarthritis - the most common form of arthritis - and a prescription for a still-stronger pain relieving medication, such as Daypro, Naprosyn or Celebrex and a few stretching exercises. The prescription medication may work for a time... or not at all... and the patient may experience side effects. Frustration with the exercises and a lack of fast results often leads to discouragement.

Still others prefer to avoid the dangerous side effects of these prescription medications and resort to other, more natural ways of relieving pain. Weight loss, herbal pain remedies and physical therapy are just a few of the many "natural" routes those who suffer from osteoarthritis may take. Many will simply limit their activity - cutting back on the things they love - in order to have some semblance of relief.

At first blush, these treatments may seem completely different. However, all of these treatments - over-the-counter, prescription and otherwise - have one thing in common.

They only treat the symptoms.

Getting to the heart of the matter - the cause of the pain - is the most effective way to manage osteoarthritis. But first, what is osteoarthritis?

Osteoarthritis is the most common form of degenerative joint disease in the world. Unlike other forms of arthritis, osteoarthritis is not believed to be genetic and affects both young and old, athletes and couch potatoes alike. A simple twisted ankle can set the stage for a lifetime of debilitating pain.

So what causes the pain? Simply stated - inflammation. When the cartilage - the "padding" - between bones begins to break down faster than it can be repaired, inflammation occurs and causes pain. Complicating matters, continued use of the joint only serves to worsen the situation. And because osteoarthritis typically affects the oft-used weight-bearing joints of the hips, legs and ankles, limiting movement can be very difficult and, for many, an impossible prospect.

So, rather than limiting activity and movement of the affected joints, sufferers seek relief from one of the treatments previously mentioned, hoping at the very least to lessen their pain and get on with their lives. Although it may seem like a lost cause, there is hope for those who suffer from osteoarthritis. In fact, one treatment not only relieves pain, it gets to the root of the problem by working to rebuild damaged cartilage in the arthritic joints.

Supplementation with natural glucosamine and chondroitin has been shown to not only relieve the pain of osteoarthritis, but also to stop - and in some cases, reverse - the effects of osteoarthritis. Glucosamine and chondroitin supplements give joints the raw materials necessary to rebuild cartilage.