| Although arthritis won't really kill you, it can literally | | | | may occur spontaneously and may last for months or |
| cripple you. Arthritis causes a lot of limitations and cuts | | | | even years. |
| back even the most undemanding activities such as | | | | Conventional treatments for arthritis include the use of |
| bathing, walking or dressing up. Because of intense | | | | anti-inflammatory drugs and steroids to relieve its |
| pain in the joints, arthritis can be quite debilitating. Added | | | | painful effects. Typically, these come in the form of |
| to that, it's also a recurring disease. | | | | cortisone injections or non-steroidal anti-inflammatory |
| Arthritis affects many thousands of people every year | | | | drugs or what is commonly known as NSAIDs. These |
| and statistics show that one in every three adults over | | | | types of treatment bring pain relief, unfortunately they |
| 40 suffer or will suffer from arthritis as they age. | | | | don't repair the damaged tissues - hence relief is said |
| Arthritis has no specified age or gender parameter | | | | to be merely symptomatic. |
| since arthritis can develop even in infants, but most | | | | NSAIDs and steroids are also known to produce |
| sufferers begin to experience symptoms when they | | | | adverse effects. Most prominent of these are |
| near their fifties, with more than 50% occurring before | | | | osteoporosis and some thinning of the skin. NSAIDs |
| the age of 65. The sad thing about arthritis is that it | | | | are also observed to increase the incidence of |
| can be debilitating both to the body and to one's | | | | stomach ulcers. |
| finances. It is estimated that arthritis can cost a single | | | | No cure for arthritis has been discovered yet, but there |
| person a whopping $150,000 in medical or support | | | | is growing evidence that tissue repair and replacement |
| treatment and lost wages during his or her lifetime. | | | | can delay disease progression. In fact, this has been |
| The two most common types of arthritis that afflict | | | | the focus of controversial stem cell replacement |
| the greater percentage of the population are | | | | studies over the years. Whether or not stem cell |
| Osteoarthritis and Rheumatoid Arthritis. Osteoarthritis is | | | | replacement will eventually emerge as the cure for |
| a condition that results from normal wear and tear of | | | | arthritis, it is a welcome relief to know that natural |
| the knees, hips, or ankles since they bear much of the | | | | substances are available to relieve arthritis pain and |
| weight in the body. Arthritis also invades the shoulders | | | | discomfort, and slow progression of the disease - |
| and other highly mobile joints in the cervical and lumbar | | | | without the side effects. |
| spinal regions. Like grease on joints and gears in a | | | | One of the best known natural substances for its |
| mechanical structure, synovial fluid maintains lubrication | | | | anti-inflammatory properties is Aloe Vera. Aloe |
| and ease of movement within our joints. It is also | | | | generally provides analgesic relief and it has |
| responsible for the overall health of the cartilage | | | | demonstrated positive results at immune system |
| surrounding the bone interface. Synovial fluid inevitably | | | | stimulation to speed up cell replacement and growth. |
| shrinks with age and cartilage undergoes wear and | | | | Aloe Vera contains basic sugars which are also found |
| tear with heavy use, eventually causing the bones to | | | | in every cell of the body - it is rich in nutrients that |
| grind against each other. This grinding action is what | | | | include vitamins E, C, and the B series, as well as iron, |
| causes arthritis pain and the difficulty in movements. | | | | manganese, calcium and zinc. Aloe Vera also contains |
| Rheumatoid Arthritis on the other hand is a condition | | | | essential amino and fatty acids needed by the body. |
| brought about by the assault of anti-bodies on the | | | | Possibly more than its nutritional benefits is the ability of |
| synovial lining of the joints. Although these anti-bodies | | | | Aloe Vera to help the body regenerate cells and repair |
| are produced by our own immune system, genetics, | | | | damaged tissue. A breakthrough formulation combines |
| certain infections or environmental factors can trigger | | | | aloe with glucosamine and chondroitin, two joint |
| immune system upsets and cause destruction of the | | | | supplements that are building blocks of cartilage found |
| synovial membrane and the cartilage. Inflammatory | | | | within joints. Glucosamine increases fluid maintenance |
| conditions such as swelling, stiffness and pain manifest | | | | in the cartilage, while chondroitin, an ingredient of |
| as a result of this. Rheumatoid Arthritis affects any | | | | cartilage tissue, takes charge of drawing in fluids and |
| age group, and this type of immunologically induced | | | | nutrients. As we age, the body's capacity to produce |
| arthritis is also prevalent in other systemic illnesses | | | | these natural elements of healthy cartilage is |
| such as Lupus and Scleroderma. | | | | diminished, thus leading to painful joint conditions. |
| Symptoms of arthritis are not permanent - the disease | | | | Combined with Aloe Vera which aids in tissue repair |
| is said to be active when inflammation is present and | | | | and cell regeneration, natural relief for arthritis without |
| that period is known as a "flare". When the symptoms | | | | the side effects may simply be found in a glass of |
| go away, it is said that the disease is "in remission". | | | | naturally occurring substances! |
| Remission can be accomplished through treatment or | | | | |