by Louise Schutte

Created on: August 11, 2009   Last Updated: November 26, 2010

Arthritis affects approximately 4 million Canadians (over 46 million Americans). As the medical community has been unable to determine the exact cause of arthritis, there is no cure as of yet. It is recommended that sufferers find a method that best alleviates the symptoms, and begin incorporating a therapeutic exercise program to help increase overall flexibility and better quality of living.

There are over 100 types of arthritis ranging from the most common forms such as osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis to gout and Lyme disease. Stemming from the Greek words arthron, joint; and itis, inflammation, arthritis is the most prevalent medical problem in the world today. It is the oldest and most debilitating disease, and accounts for one in five visits to the doctor.

Osteoarthritis is a degenerative joint disease that manifests over a period of years. It generally does not affect children or young adults, but strikes after the age of 40. The protective cushioning barrier that cartilage provides to the joints, becomes fragmentized. The exposed bones are susceptible to friction, and try to rebuild themselves. This procedure results in thick, rough bone ends that restrict the range of motion and inflame surrounding tissue.

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA), on the other hand is an inflammatory condition that many researchers believe to be the result of the body's immune system attacking its own tissues or cells, especially the joints. Unlike osteoarthritis, RA tends to be symmetrical in the way it impacts the joints. Rheumatoid arthritis is unforgiving in that it affects the young and old alike. This connective tissue disease affects the entire body from joint pain, to dryness in the eyes, to swollen lymph nodes. The condition often goes into a period of remission.

There are a variety of remedies available to treat the symptoms of arthritis. Since the sales of these remedies have become a multi-billion dollar industry, medical politics is perhaps thwarting the efforts of finding an actual cure for the disease. Treatments for arthritis vary due in part to the type of arthritis and severity of symptoms. Some common treatments include oral analgesics such as codeine; topical analgesics that include creams or lotions designed to relieve pain; NSAIDs (non-steroidal anti-inflammitory drugs); corticosteroids to reduce inflammation; a vitamin called pantothenic acid which works best on RA; chondroprotective agents such as glucosamine; chondroitin sulfates; and antibiotic

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