Arthritis
There are about 200 different kinds of arthritis. The most common type is osteoarthritis (or degenerative arthritis), where the cartilage that protects the bones gets worn away. This makes joints stiff, painful and creaky.
It's often caused by normal wear and tear of the joints, so usually occurs as people get older and the protective joint cartilage is worn away. But younger people can also get it, often because of an accident or sports injury where a joint has been placed under unnatural strain.
Rheumatoid, or inflammatory, arthritis is a more severe but less common condition. The body's immune system attacks and destroys the joint lining, making them painful, unstable and deformed.
This type of arthritis tends to affect younger people and is more common in women than in men.
Many people mistakenly assume they have to put up with arthritis, especially those with osteoarthritis who believe it's part of the legacy of old age.
Some people become depressed because they can't do things they take for granted, such as getting dressed or going for a walk, and become isolated.
To reduce the risk of developing osteoarthritis, it's important to avoid being overweight, which puts joints under pressure.
Include plenty of calcium, vitamin C and vitamin D in your diet to maintain healthy bones and joints.
There isn't a cure for arthritis, but it can be kept under control enabling people to get on with living fulfilling lives.
In conventional treatment, painkillers, such as paracetamol, are essential. Anti-inflammatory medications, such as ibuprofen, can help with episodes of more severe pain. It's important to consult a doctor before taking any medicine for a long time. These medications, known as the non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, or NSAIDs, can damage the lining of the stomach causing ulcers, which sometimes bleed. They should always be taken with or after food.
In recent years a new type of NSAID treatment, cox-2 inhibitors, has been launched. These were initially claimed to be less harmful to the stomach and many patients found they provided good pain relief for their arthritis. However, further research has led to major concerns about other side-effects, such as damage to the heart.
Physiotherapy relieves pain and strengthens muscles around the damaged joint, helping the joint to work better. Regular exercise is beneficial for the same reasons and, once pain is under control, easy to do. It provides people with a physical and psychological boost, and helps overweight people to shed a few pounds, which reduces the strain on joints.
If the pain can't be controlled by medication, the joint may need replacing. Hip and knee replacements are common and usually involve a short hospital stay.
Disease-modifying drugs that slow disease progression are available for people with rheumatoid arthritis.
Some people find that eating more vegetables, bananas and cherries eases symptoms. One of the oldest natural anti-inflammatory treatments is ginger, which can be incorporated into the diet or taken as a concentrated capsule available from pharmacists or health food shops.
Glucosamine sulphate is a major part of the protein that forms cartilage in joints. It's this cartilage that is worn away in osteoarthritis. Another substance that acts as a part of the joint's shock absorber is chondroitin sulphate. Glucosamine and chondroitin can help to reduce the pain of osteoarthritis and may help to repair damaged joints.
Cod liver oil treatment and other sources of omega-3 essential fatty acids may help to ease the pain and inflammation of arthritis.