Possible Relief From Chronic Joint Pain
Watching young children tearing around the playground as fast as their little legs will carry them or a graceful ice skater making impossible leaps and twirls effortlessly can seem a cruel joke compared to the achy joints that caused you such difficulty in getting out of bed this morning.
The reality is that over fifty-five percent of all Americans suffer from some form of chronic or acute joint problems and try various treatments to gain some level of joint relief. The most common culprit is osteoarthritis, a condition in which the cartilage that connects and cushions bones that form a joint, breaks down faster than the body can rebuild it.
Mostly related to aging, it starts to make itself known during middle age, first to women. By age seventy almost everyone, men and women alike have osteoarthritis to some degree. The level of pain is related to how much the cushioning is gone and the bones are rubbing bone on bone. Unpleasant spurs can make this condition even more uncomfortable.
Temporary joint relief can be found in pain killers such as aspirin, ibuprofen and indomethacin; however, repeated regular use of these products has been known to complicate matters by causing gastrointestinal problems, specifically, painful holes in the stomach lining.
For the person who suffers with either acute or chronic joint pain, little daily routines such as climbing stairs, getting out of bed, bending down to pick up something dropped on the floor, or carrying packages in the house from the store can become endurance tests.
The usual joint pain is often accompanied by swelling, warmth, and redness at the afflicted joint. In addition, you may have difficulty with early morning stiffness and a reduced ability to move freely. Under such conditions, anything that would give some joint relief is greatly to be appreciated.
One of the most controversial products on the market in terms of whether it is truly effective is the natural product, glucosamine. While it can be secured from the shells of crabs and other crustaceans, it is also found in some foods and our bodies are capable of producing it as well.
While supporters are not sure how it works, they agree that it can give some measure of joint relief, when used over time. They recommend about 1500mg daily taken as a supplement. Some studies suggest that glucosamine works best when used in conjunction with chondroitin, about 1200mg daily.
Sufferers of joint pain all agree that the quality of their lives is limited if their ability to move easily is hampered by this problem. Most of the new research seems to suggest that gentle exercise, moderate use of pain relievers, plenty of rest, and a healthy diet can make a big difference in control and management of pain.
Since the first joints to be afflicted are usually the weight-bearing ones, such as the knees, it follows that maintaining a healthy weight can greatly reduce the excess stress on these already over-worn joints. Treating your body with respect and care can help lessen the discomfort of chronic joint pain to some degree in almost every situation.
