Tag: Acetaminophen

Handling Pain from Arthritis

Handling Pain from Arthritis
Nestler

Arthritis is an inflammation of the joints, the junctures where
the ends of two bones meet. This common disability comes in more
than 100 forms but for many sufferers, all they really want to
know is how do I get arthritis pain relief.

Some detective work on the part of the sufferer may be called
for. By determining when the symptoms pop up, it may be possible
to manage some of the suffering. Pain in a joint may be felt
during or after use, or after a period of inactivity. Discomfort
may signal a change in the weather or be felt during it.

Although there’s no cure for arthritis, available treatments can
relieve pain and help you remain active. At the first signs of
the illness, treatment should begin. Rest and easy exercise such
as swimming may be effective starting points along with some
over the counter medications to ease the pain and improve joint
functioning.

Among the treatments your doctor may suggest are medication,
self-care, physical therapy and occupational therapy.
Occasionally surgery is recommended; some individuals seek
relief from various forms of alternative medicine.

Medications include both topical and oral medications. Topical
medications come in the form of sprays, gels, creams and
ointments. Over-the-counter (OTC) medications may be sufficient
to treat milder arthritis, but stronger prescription medications
also are available.

OTC pain relievers such as acetaminophen can relieve pain but
does not reduce inflammation. Taking more than the recommended
dosage of acetaminophen can cause liver damage, especially if
you consume three or more drinks of alcoholic a day.

Acetaminophen can also affect other medications you may be
taking, so be sure to inform your doctor if you’re taking it.

Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) work in two ways.
They relieve muscle pain and fight inflammation (such as from
rheumatoid arthritis). NSAIDs have risks of side effects that
increase when used at high dosages for long-term treatment.

Discuss with your doctor before using other medications such as
COX-2 inhibitors, and others which have different side-effects.
Antidepressants, apart from their antidepressant qualities,
especially tricyclics, can help reduce chronic pain. Some people
with arthritis also experience symptoms of depression.
Antidepressant medications can treat the sleep disturbance that
can accompany arthritis. Occasionally, your doctor may suggest
injecting a joint space with a corticosteroid, which can offer
some pain relief and reduce inflammation. In addition, how well
you live with arthritis often depends on your behaviors and
attitude. If you actively manage your arthritis, you may be able
to gain control over your pain.

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Effective dietary supplements for arthritis sufferers

Effective dietary supplements for arthritis sufferers
Dhiraj Bhikoo

The most popular dietary supplements for arthritis sufferers are chondroitin, fish oil and glucosamine. Chondroitin can draw fluid into the cartilage, improving shock-absorbing ability and weight control, as more weight equals more joint pressure. Fish oils help with controlling inflammation in the body. And recent studies have shown that the cartilage-building substance called glucosamine is effective for the long-term relief of osteoarthritis pain. In some people, glucosamine appears to even slow the deterioration of joints over time and reinforce joint cartilage. Whether or not it can actually reverse the disease is still unclear. In some instances, glucosamine can be used in conjunction with MSM, a substance that appears to slow down the degeneration but is not yet proven and approved.
In a nutshell:
Chondroitin – Helps draw fluid into cartilage, improving shock-absorbing ability.
Ginger – Ginger is an antioxidant that acts as an inflammatory with no major side effects.
Glucosamine sulfate – This builds cartilage with very few side effects.
Magnets – Although magnets that are worn as jewelry or placed on bed linens have been reported by some to be effective pain relievers, results are still preliminary; doctors claim that these magnets are not strong enough.
MSM – This organic sulfur is used in the reduction of inflammation.
Nettle leaf – Nettles can reduce a patient’s need for NSAIDS (non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs) by up to 70 percent.
Vitamin E – This antioxidant is used primarily for osteoarthritis.
Vitamin B is also an effective pain reliever. It works best on the knee and can help stop degeneration that is caused by free-radical molecules, not only in the joints but in other areas of the body as well
These are merely a few examples of what an arthritis sufferer can use when seeking pain relief from natural remedies. However, due to the lack of scientific study and testing on many of these alternate treatments, there is no proof of their effectiveness.
Nothing can cure osteoarthritis, but nutritional supplements, the application of heat or cold to affected joints, exercise, and weight loss can improve the function and flexibility of your joints, and perhaps even slow the progress of the disease. Conventional over-the-counter pain relievers, such as acetaminophen and ibuprofen, can be very helpful in decreasing joint pain, but they do produce side effects and can cause problems in long-term users.
Unfortunately, there is no way to cure arthritis. However, you can delay the onset by maintaining a healthy weight. Exercise regularly and eat a healthy and avoid repetitious movements that cause you pain.
About the Author
Dhiraj Bhikoo is an arthritis pain relief and treatment researcher .He offers advice and tips and a broad range of alternative solutions for arthritis and pain related issues.

Causes and Treatment Options for Osteoarthritis

Causes and Treatment Options for Osteoarthritis
James Hunt

Osteoarthritis (OA) is a degenerative joint disease. It is one
of the oldest and most commonly known types of arthritis. When a
person suffers from OA there is a breakdown of the joint’s
cartilage. Since cartilage itself is there to act as a cushion
between the bones, when this breakdown and wears away the bones
will begin rubbing together and this can cause some serious pain
as well as limitations in movement and in some cases loss of
movement completely.

What Causes Osteoartritis?

There are many factors affecting the onset of osteoarthritis.
Since it is more commonly found in middle to older aged people,
medical professionals had made the mistake of thinking that age
was a contributing factor. However, research has shown that age
is not a leading factor to the onset of Osteoarthritis. However,
doctors and medical professionals have found that being
overweight does have some effect. When a person is overweight or
obese, they are more likely to experience some pain in the knees
and in most cases will develop OA in these areas. People who
have experienced some kind of injury in the joints, either due
to playing sports or through work are more likely to develop OA.

There have been incidences of OA in people who have been born
with some kind of genetic condition that affects the joints in
some way. OA is most commonly found in the hands.

Treatment Options

Exercises to keep joints flexible and improve muscle strength

Many different medications are used to control pain, including
corticosteroids and NSAIDs. Glucocorticoids injected into joints
that are inflamed and not responsive to NSAIDS. For mild pain
without inflammation, acetaminophen may be used.

Heat/cold therapy for temporary pain relief

Joint protection to prevent strain or stress on painful joints

Surgery (sometimes) to relieve chronic pain in damaged joints

About the author:
James Hunt has spent 15 years as a professional writer and
researcher covering stories that cover a whole spectrum of
interest. Read more at www.osteoarthritis-
central.info

Arthritis Pain Relief! Weighing Over the Counter Medications and Supplements

Arthritis Pain Relief! Weighing Over the Counter Medications and Supplements in the Treatment of Osteoarthritis
John Robben

Chronic arthritis pain isn’t something to ignore: not only can
it affect your quality of life, it can also deplete your
emotional stores (leading to anxiety and/or depression) and
muscle fitness (leading to weakness or complete muscle
breakdown).

But whether you suffer from osteoarthritis (“wear and tear” of
the joints), rheumatoid arthritis (inflammation in the joints)
or gout (excess uric acid that accumulate in the joints), relief
from your arthritis pain is available. This article will discuss
the pros and cons of over the counter (OTC) medications and
supplements for osteoarthritis, focusing on managing arthritis
pain and maintaining the ability to use the joint in question.

Arthritis Pain Relief: Acetaminophen

Of the drugs in our list of arthritis pain relievers,
acetaminophen is widely accepted as the OTC with the least
amount of undesirable side effects and the lowest long-term
costs. However, acetaminophen does nothing to reduce
inflammation associated with arthritis pain, normally can only
treat mild to moderate cases of osteoarthritis and can easily
become toxic if mixed with alcohol.

Arthritis Pain Relief: NSAIDs

NSAIDs help sufferers with both arthritis pain and inflammation
and are quite inexpensive (like acetaminophen). However, long
term usage has been shown to cause upset stomach and other, more
serious side effects (such as skin rashes or speeding up the
progression of osteoarthritis by interfering with cartilage
repair and promoting cartilage destruction).

Arthritis Pain Relief: Glucosamine and Chondroitin Sulfate

Combined together, glucosamine and chondroitin sulfate are
excellent supplements in the fight against arthritis pain: they
are said to increase mobility, reduce osteoarthritis pain and
form the building blocks for cartilage growth. However, those
allergic to shellfish must avoid glucosamine at all costs (since
it’s derived from the shells of shrimp, lobster and crab).

Arthritis Pain Relief: MSM

MSM (Methylsulfonylmethane) has been studied extensively (for
over twenty years) as an arthritis pain relieving supplement. By
blocking pain transmitters in the affected nerve, MSM users find
similar arthritis pain relief to acetaminophen, but without the
potential liver toxicity. Some osteoarthritis sufferers have
also noticed a reduction in inflammation of the joints also,
since MSM reduces histamine levels (linked to allergy-related
inflammation).

Arthritis Pain Relief: SAMe

SAMe (S-adenosyl-L-methionine) has been shown to reduce
inflammation in osteoarthritis sufferers as much as NSAIDs.
However, SAMe takes a longer time to see symptom reduction, but
offers less gastrointestinal discomfort than NSAIDs in general.
Arthritis pain sufferers should ensure enough B vitamins are
ingested along with SAMe to feel the full effects, and expect
slow but steady arthritis pain relief.

Arthritis Pain Relief: Gamma Linolenic Acid (GLA)

Found in evening primrose and borage oils, GLA is an omega-6
fatty acid said to help lessen arthritis pain, stiffness and
swelling. Few side effects have been recorded, however all
omega-6’s are blood thinners and may increase the risk of
bleeding if taken with NSAIDs.

As with all OTC supplements and drugs, check with your doctor
first before starting any arthritis pain reducing regimen on
your own. You may also want to monitor your liver and kidney
function for most of the medications discussed above since
almost all have a slight risk of side effects. Start with the
lowest dosage possible to see how your body and your illness
tolerate the item, and be patient: you’ll never be sure if a new
supplement or medication is actually working if you don’t take
adequate time to test.

About the author:
John Robben is the owner/operator of Ultimate Water Massage
(est. 2000), a Washington-based company that offers over 2000
products to ease arthritis pain. Visit for more information,
tools, supplies and tips for living with arthritis at
http://www.ultimatewatermassage.com/.