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The Pain of Arthritis
Pain is an unpleasant feeling that many people suffer from as a result of osteoarthritis. Joints are deteriorating or becoming deformed, bones are aching. Pain may be mild or severe and debilitating. There may be morning stiffness and joints may feel swollen and tender. Over 50 million Americans are suffering from this painful disease.
Arthritis has been around for thousands of years, but until recently, the treatment has been focused on easing the pain. The commonly used non-steroidal anti-inflammatory pain killers are known to cause side effects such as nausea, vomiting, stomach ulcers, gastrointestinal bleeding, abdominal pain, fluid retention, allergic reactions, and liver and/or kidney disease. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration estimates that there are 200,000 cases of gastrointestinal bleeding and 10,000 to 20,000 deaths each year in the United States from prescribed nonsteroidal anti-inflammatories.
The body produces Glucosamine naturally, but production decreases as we age. However, age is not the cause of osteoarthritis. Primary osteoarthritis is the most common type of arthritis and usually begins after the age of 45. The joints on only one side of the body are usually involved. What causes primary osteoarthritis is repetitive use of the joints over a period of years. The cartilage becomes worn and breaks down. The joint becomes painful and inflamed.
Secondary osteoarthritis is a result of an injury or trauma. This type arthritis may appear before age 40. Repeated motions referred to, as repetitive impact loading is a form of chronic trauma resulting in secondary osteoarthritis.
A study in 1991 by L.C. Rovati (International Journal of Tissue Reactions) demonstrated that glucosamine sulfate killed pain and improved movement in osteoarthritis patients. Glucosamine sulfate was compared to ibuprofen in the study and had one-fifth of the side effects. It also stopped further bone degeneration, and in some cases reversed the disease.
According to Jason Theodosakis, M.D. author of The Arthritis Cure, (St. Martin's Press, 1997) chondroitin sulfate also helps reverse osteoarthritis. Chondroitin sulfate blocks the action of certain enzymes to prevent further cartilage degeneration. It has other benefits such as pain relief, greater joint flexibility and delivers nutrients to cartilage to name a few. He states, "it teams admirably with glucosamine sulfate for preventing and coping with osteoarthritis."
Glucosamine sulfate and chondroitin sulfate are fast becoming the preferred treatment and even a possible cure for osteoarthritis.
*These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. These products are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease.
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