Treatments for Arthritis-An Overall Review

 Arthritis is a debilitating condition and can leave an individual affected with plenty of pain and discomfort. It can be treated with a number of medications, which are available over-the-counter or with a prescription from a doctor. Every drug works differently. Some can be taken orally by the individual while others will have to be administered by a qualified physician. Topical applications are also available but are considered effective only when the condition is mild. Let us look at the type of drugs that are used to deal with arthritis.

As mentioned earlier topical applications are certainly helpful to people who do not have severe pain or discomfort from arthritis. However such applications can only be used on the hand or smaller portions of the body. They will provide no relief when applied to other parts that could be affected.

Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs which are also known as (NSAIDS) can be purchased over the counter from a pharmacy or by a prescription. Most individuals suffering from this debilitating condition have taken drugs like these at some point in their lives. However, those who have used prescription doses have found relief from joint inflammation while the others may have not.

Some doctors are known to prescribe anti-depressants to treat this condition. This is regardless of the fact about whether the individual concerned faces any problems with depression. Information about how drugs like these can help deal with the pain and discomfort associated with arthritis is not known. However, anti-depressants have the ability to restrict the brain from sending pain signals. This could be the reason why doctors choose to advise patients to use such medications. Unfortunately, there are also side-effects, which have to be taken into account. People using such medications are likely to feel drowsy, dryness in the mouth and blurred vision. Mood swings are common along with suicidal tendencies.

Steroids are also used by many people. When taken in the form of pills, they can deliver results but when taken over an extended period of time, they can cause several problems. Doctors, therefore, prefer to inject the steroids directly into the affected area to keep patients away from the side-effects that are associated.

Some forms of arthritis can destroy the joints and in such cases, doctors advise patients to use disease modifying anti-rheumatic drugs. Aggressive treatments of such conditions generally involve the use of one or more drug of this type. All the above apart from topical creams are capable of leaving behind side-effects.

Treating the condition does not mean that individuals should be returning to the doctor to deal with the side-effects as well. Unfortunately, this is a reality which is often associated with most pharmaceutical grade medications that are being sold. In such conditions what can people do to deal with arthritis and also stay away from side-effects?

Perhaps the best option available to them would be green lipped mussel supplements. Plenty of research has been conducted on these products and proof is available to show that the original inhabitants of New Zealand, who used green lipped mussels as a regular diet never suffered from problems with their joints. Today the supplements are extremely popular and are being used by millions of people throughout the world. They can deal with such conditions without having to face any side-effects. Even more important is the fact that green lipped mussel supplements can be purchased over the counter or ordered directly from the manufacturer.