Chronic Joint Pain

The Roots of Chronic Joint Pain

Chronic Joint Pain is a severe problem that strikes more than 100 million Americans each year. It can derive from a number of different roots with everything from pain and swelling to severe discomfort and alteration of the joint.

Figuring Out What Causes Chronic Joint Pain

The first task in treating chronic joint pain is diagnosing its sources. Generally, there are two main causes of chronic joint paint - including osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis. Beyond these two sources, someone might also suffer from acute injuries to their joints, diseases like gout or bacterial infection, or even an ongoing medical condition such as hypothyrdoidism.

However, in most cases, the root of an ongoing chronic joint pain problem is arthritis and must be treated as such.

Treating Arthritis

Arthritis can be treated either medically or more naturally. Medical options include:

• Corticosteroids - This can include things like prednisone which is used to relieve inflammation and swelling. However, there are many side effects for these drugs including diabetes, bone loss and glaucoma among others.
• DMARDs or SAARDs - These drugs will manage and reduce the symptoms of chronic joint pain. Certain drugs in these therapies might include Plaquenil or Methotrexate. The side effects here are less common than the steroids above but can be equally as debilitating.
• NSAIDs - These drugs act in a similar way as the steroids above but without the negative side effects that steroids incur. They can however cause reflux disease and other problems in the digestive tract, especially in those suffering from Sjogren's Disease.

Natural Treatments

More natural treatment options on the market include a number of supplements and herbs that work in similar ways to the above drugs, but with less side effects. Ayuryedic medications such as those used in India in the last few decades include Guggul and others and reduce inflammation while promoting joint health by restoring necessary sulfates and glucosamine.

Other supplements that are effective include the likes of Essential Fatty Acids which can be acquired from various oils such as Fish, Flax and other herbs. These will help boost amino acid counts in the joints and transmit the necessary nutrients to help boost overall health.

Additional natural treatments can include sulfates and glucosamine supplements that deliver the necessary materials for building joints directly to the joints where they can be used to rebuild the protective coverings and layers of the joint, slowing chronic joint pain and reducing inflammation.