| Many people are surprised to learn that arthritis is not | | | | There are various treatments available to help with the |
| just one disease - it's actually a group of over a | | | | pain of arthritis. These range from an increased |
| hundred related conditions, all involving stiffness or pain | | | | amount of rest, an improved diet, increased exercise, |
| in the body's joints. And although we have a greater | | | | the application of heat and cold and even surgery in |
| chance of suffering from arthritis as we get older, and | | | | extreme cases. A wide range of medications are also |
| the general perception is that it just affects old people | | | | available - most of these medications will simply relieve |
| - around 60% of people with arthritis are under 65. | | | | the pain, rather than actually cure the arthritis, although |
| The two most common forms of arthritis are | | | | some medication can slow down the spread of the |
| rheumatoid arthritis and osteoarthritis. Osteoarthritis is | | | | disease and prevent other parts of the body from |
| caused by general wear and tear of the joints, leading | | | | being affected. |
| to damage of the joints and the surrounding tissue. | | | | Many arthritis sufferers find some relief by using a |
| The elderly are more susceptible, as are people who | | | | supportive device, such as a brace, splint or arthritis |
| are overweight and those who repeatedly use the | | | | knee brace. A brace works by supporting the |
| same joints. Symptoms generally include pain and | | | | weakened joint and taking some of the pressure off |
| swelling and ultimately an inability to use those joints. | | | | of it; literally allowing the joint to rest. Some such |
| Rheumatoid arthritis is the most common form of | | | | devices allow a little movement; others prevent all |
| arthritis, affecting over two million people in the United | | | | movement - it's important to use a brace or splint |
| States; around 70% of those are women. The exact | | | | correctly otherwise it can actually cause more |
| cause of the disease is still not clear, although it's | | | | damage. |
| believed that rheumatoid arthritis can be triggered by | | | | A rather odd, but supposedly effective cure for |
| various factors including inherited genes, female | | | | arthritis is deer velvet antler. Around 2,000 years ago, |
| hormones, and the body's response to stress and a | | | | the Chinese first discovered the healing properties of |
| predisposition to infection. | | | | the antler, not just for arthritis but a myriad of other |
| Any of these factors can cause the body's immune | | | | ailments. Antler velvet is the name given to the |
| system to perform poorly, and for the white blood cells | | | | growing stage of the antlers of male deer - used |
| to attack the membranes surrounding the joints, known | | | | correctly, the nutrients found in antlers can help to |
| as synovium. This breakdown of the immune system | | | | relieve arthritis aches and pains. Antler velvet has been |
| leads to inflammation and swelling of the joints; as | | | | approved by the FDA; it is safe to use and has |
| anyone with arthritis will verify, it can be extremely | | | | virtually no side effects. Arthritis is arguably one of the |
| painful and can cause permanent damage to the joints | | | | worst things about aging. With the proper treatment, it |
| and even death. | | | | needn't prevent you from enjoying life. |