Weighing Over the Counter Medications and Supplements

Chronic arthritis pain is not something to ignore: it can not only to your quality of life, it can also save your emotional exhaustion (leading to fear and / or depression) and muscular fitness (leading to weakness or complete breakdown of muscle).

But if you suffer from osteoarthritis ( "wear and tear" of the joints), rheumatoid arthritis (inflammation in the joints) or gout (excess uric acid, which is in the joints), relief from your arthritis pain is available. In this article, the advantages and disadvantages of Over the Counter (OTC) medicines and supplements for osteoarthritis, arthritis, which is about dealing with pain and the preservation of the ability to use the common question.

Arthritis pain relief: acetaminophen

The drugs in our list of arthritis painkillers, acetaminophen is widely recognized as the OTC with the least amount of unwanted side effects and the lowest long-term costs. However, acetaminophen does not reduce inflammation associated with arthritis pain, usually can only treat mild to moderate cases of osteoarthritis and can be slightly toxic when mixed with alcohol.

Arthritis pain relief: NSAIDs

NSAIDs help patients with arthritis pain and inflammation and are fairly inexpensive (eg, acetaminophen). However, long-term use has been shown to upset stomach and other serious side effects (such as skin rashes or accelerate the progression of osteoarthritis by interfering with cartilage to repair and promote the destruction of cartilage).

Arthritis pain relief: Glucosamine and chondroitin sulphate

In summary, glucosamine and chondroitin sulfate are excellent additions to the fight against arthritis pain: they said that the increase in mobility, reduce arthritis pain and form the building blocks of cartilage growth. However, allergic to shellfish must avoid that at all costs glucosamine (since it from the shells of crabs, lobsters and crabs).

Arthritis pain relief: MSM

MSM (methylsulfonylmethane) has been extensively (for more than 20 years) as a complement arthritis pain. By blocking pain transmitters in the affected nerve, MSM users find similar arthritis acetaminophen to relieve pain, but without the potential liver toxicity. Some arthritis patients have also noticed a reduction in the inflammation of the joints, which also because MSM reduced histamine levels (related to allergies, inflammation).

Arthritis pain relief: same

SAMe (S-adenosyl-L-methionine) has been shown to reduce inflammation in arthritis patients as much as NSAIDs. However SAMe a long time to see symptom reduction, but offers fewer gastrointestinal complaints than NSAIDs in general. Arthritis pain sufferers should ensure enough B vitamins are administered orally together with SAMe to feel the full impact, 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 reduce arthritis pain, stiffness and swelling. Few side effects were, but all the Omega-6 are blood thinners and may increase the risk of bleeding if it NSAIDs.

As with all supplements and OTC drugs, check with your doctor before taking any regime reduce arthritis pain on your own. You can also check whether your liver and kidney function for most of the drugs discussed above, since almost all of them have a low risk of adverse effects. Start with the lowest possible dose to see how your body and your illness tolerate the element, and to be patient: They never be sure whether a new supplement, or medication is actually work if you do not have enough time to test.