Many people suffer from joint pain problems all across the world.  Although it is not considered a life-threatening disease but the nagging pain lingering to joints make life quite miserable.  Let us discuss joint pain prevention, symptoms, diagnosis and its treatment.

Prevention – You must have heard the phrase ‘Prevention is better than a cure’; it applies to joint pain also.  You should not wait for joint pain to start before starting a regular exercise routine or eating a balanced diet.  If you are taking these simple precautionary measures and are maintaining a healthy weight, then you are increasing your chances for a life free from joint pain and suffering.  Exercise improves bone density and muscle strength apart from giving flexibility to joints.  Walking, strength training, swimming and dancing etc. can be part of your regular routine.  A healthy diet that is rich in Vitamin D as well calcium must be taken to support bone health.  If you don’t eat fortified foods, you may opt for vitamins and minerals or other natural joint health supplements.

Symptoms - Symptoms of arthritis may vary from person to person but typically they will include swelling, warmth or redness in joints, recurring and/or constant pain in joints, tenderness, stiffness in joints, crunching feel or a sound like bone is rubbing on bone.  If you have any of these symptoms we recommend you to visit your doctor as early as possible in order to help any lasting damage to your joints.

Diagnosis – There is no single test that can diagnose osteoarthritis or rheumatoid arthritis but a series of tests can confirm these types of autoimmune diseases.   They are very common diseases and the symptoms or signs that the patient shows can be indicative.  A doctor would need a descriptive list of the symptoms from the patient, review the medical history and after examining the bothersome joints may suggest to undergo some tests like X-rays, MRI (Magnetic Resonance Imaging), Blood test, Joint Aspiration (fluid from joint is drawn for examination purpose) to further assist in diagnosis.

Treatment – If arthritis has been caused by any kind of infection, then only it can be cured.  Otherwise, in order to cure arthritis you have to rest, participate in regular exercises and take vitamins and mineral supplements apart from any medication. It is recommended to seek doctor advice before starting an alternative therapy.  Treatment for joint health supplements include:

• Acetaminophen (Tylenol) – pain without any inflammation
• NSAIDs (Aspirin, Ibuprofen, Motrin, Advil etc) – pain with inflammation
• Nutritional supplements (best is glucosamine & chondroitin combination)
• Corticosteroid medications (like prednisone, cortisone) – to relieve inflammation

If joint health supplements and medicines don’t show appropriate results, then joint replacement surgery may also be considered as a last resort.  Recent studies also suggest that patients, who elected for surgery before joint deterioration reaches its advance stage, tend to easily recover with better outcomes.