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Recommended Links on Osteoarthritis Osteoarthritis and Vioxx
Osteoarthritis is a joint disease that gradually breaks down cartilage and bone, resulting in pain and stiffness. It is the most common form of joint disease in the world, affecting both men and women as they grow older. In general, osteoarthritis most often causes pain in and around fingers and weight-bearing joints, such as the feet, knees, hips, and back. Vioxx Vioxx can help you do the things you enjoy, with all-day, all-night relief. One little tablet, taken just once a day, can provide 24-hour relief from osteoarthritis pain. And Vioxx can be taken with or without food, so you do not have to worry about scheduling it around meals. Caution People with allergic reactions, such as asthma, to aspirin or other arthritis medicines should not take VIOXX. In rare cases, serious stomach problems, such as bleeding, can occur without warning. It is very important to tell your doctor if you have liver or kidney problems, or a history of angina, heart attack, or a blocked artery in your heart. VIOXX cannot take the place of aspirin for prevention of heart attack or stroke. VIOXX should not be used by women in late pregnancy. Effects of Exercises Exercises designed to increase your range of motion, strength, and endurance help keep joints flexible, the muscles supporting them strong, and your heart healthy. Before starting an exercise regimen, talk to your doctor.
Osteoarthritis or "wear and tear’" arthritis. The explanation is usually that the cartilage protecting the ends of bones is "wearing away." With this wearing away comes pain and stiffness. This condition comes with age, and there is nothing to be done to stop it other than to take care of the pain, up to a point, and unfortunately, there is nothing else to be done about it. [Abstract] Osteoarthritis is not closely associated with inflammation and involves a progressive degeneration of the bones making up a joint. This degeneration begins with the cartilage lining the bony surfaces of the joint. As this cartilage begins to break down, cracks appear. In advanced cases bone spurs, bone hardening and other degenerative effects overtake the joint. This condition effects primarily weight-bearing joints such as the knee and spine but may also affect joints of the fingers in hands. Abnormal joint motion, which is a major contributor, can result early in life following falls, poor posture, contact sports, improper athletic training, excess weight or abnormal muscle balance across a joint. Osteoarthritis is not inevitable and is not just part of growing old. Exercise on a regular basis will improve the function of a joint. Osteoarthritis is also not untreatable, nor something we have to suffer with throughout the many years of our life. The primary method of treatment utilized throughout the medical community is use of pain killers, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs ( e.g., Motrin or Advil) or in extreme cases, steroid injections and narcotic pain relievers. These drugs are likly to provide temporary or no relief. In many cases prolonged use of these medications can have significant detrimental effects on one’s general health. There is mounting clinical and research evidence that drugs like Motrin may actually cause certain features of osteoarthritis to progress faster. The other option in severe cases is surgical intervention, but surgery is painful, expensive, risky and certainly not a permanent solution. There is growing interest in the use of dietary supplements, in particular, glucosamine sulfate and chondroitin sulfate. Both of these supplements are available in health food stores and holistic pharmacies. These substances are produced in small quantities by the body or consumed in our usual diets. There are no known significant side-effects however; there are conditions such as diabetes that require monitoring while using these supplements. I have used both of these supplements on myself and my patients for over a decade and have witnessed remarkable improvement, especially when used in conjunction with proper chiropractic treatment. In a nutshell, these supplements, when taken regularly over a period of time, assist the body in repair of damaged cartilage with marked decrease in pain brought about by the effects of cartilage degeneration. Chiropractic treatment insures proper alignment of a joint and the maintenance of proper joint function. If you experience any of the signs and symptoms of osteoarthritis, take the time to seek professional treatment.
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