Seniors Arthritis - How to Stop Arthritis Pain Without Taking Those Dangerous NSAID Drugs

As seniors, we can fall victim to painful and destructive arthritis. It is usually osteoarthritis, a wear and tear type of condition that simply means the protective shock absorber (cartilage) between the bones is wearing away. Cartilage protects from bone to bone contact in the joint. About 75% of all seniors suffer from it to one degree or another.

Osteoarthritis is usually found in the weight bearing joints, such as the knees and hips, but other joints can also be affected. It's a painful condition, and if left untreated, it only gets worse. If it gets to the point where there is no cartilage left, then it comes down to painful joint replacement surgery, or a life of limited mobility.

Many seniors will just allow the condition to deteriorate, until they are forced to see a doctor. Often, if a doctor has diagnosed osteoarthritis, he or she will prescribe an anti-inflammatory drug known as NSAID. While that type of drug can reduce the pain, it's not really treating the condition, only the symptoms. So, while your pain may decrease, you still keep losing cartilage. Doesn't sound like the best solution, does it?

You also have the very real and potentially deadly side effects of NSAID drugs to deal with. You have undoubtedly seen ads for these drugs on TV. The next time you see one, pay particular attention to the side effects listed. There are many and include potentially fatal heart attack or stroke and internal bleeding. This is pretty serious stuff, but fortunately you do have other options.

First of course, you want to stop the pain. You can do that with good, natural osteoarthritis remedies. The right one can also start to regenerate the joint cartilage you have lost. So, no more losing that crucial cartilage and no worrying about those horrible NSAID side effects.

Also, if you have some extra pounds that you're carrying, now is a good time to lose them. Each extra pound of weight, puts an additional three or more pounds of stress on your weight bearing joints. So, you can see, that just losing a few pounds can have a positive impact.

You may want to review your diet too. A few minor changes, if necessary, can help with weight control, as well as helping to improve your general health. After you have your pain under control, why not try some moderate exercise? Walking is a good one to start with and being a low impact exercise, it's great for arthritic conditions and can give you an extra energy boost.