It is a fact of life that as we get older our joints are more likely to play up and let us down. In the UK it is estimated that around eight million people have some form of arthritis and that one in three people will suffer with arthritis at some point in their lives.

There are actually around 200 different kinds of arthritis, which means inflammation of the joints, with the most common being osteoarthritis. Other types are rheumatoid arthritis, ankylosing spondylitis, cervical spondylosis and gout.

HOW JOINTS WORK

A joint is where two bones meet and throughout our body we have a vast array of them that enable our bones to move smoothly when we walk, lift or hold objects, for example. Ligaments hold the joint together and keep it stable. Covering the ends of the bones is smooth, hard cartilage that acts as a shock absorber and also allows the bones to move easily. Cartilage is nourished by fluid that also keeps the joint lubricated. If the structure or functioning of a joint is upset, then pain, swelling and stiffness are likely to develop, making everyday and pleasurable activities more difficult to do.

WEAR AND TEAR

The most common type of arthritis, osteoarthritis, is caused by wear and tear of a joint. In osteoarthritis, over time the protective cartilage is worn away so that bare bones rub together, which is why it is also known as degenerative arthritis. This wear and tear makes the joint stiff, painful and creaky. Any joint can be affected but it is the knees, hips and hands that are troubled most often since throughout life these joints do a lot of work.

Mention arthritis and most people think of their older friends and relatives. Its true that osteoarthritis is more likely to occur as someone gets older, but younger people can develop it too.

Anyone who puts excessive strain on a joint, such as athletes who train intensively or those involved in occupations whereby joints are repetitively used for example, machine operating or cleaning are also at risk of osteoarthritis. Suffering a joint injury in an accident, for example, means it is more likely to develop in that joint. It should come as no surprise that, as with many health problems, being overweight plays a large part in poor joint health and function. Excess weight puts the joints under pressure, making them more likely to suffer damage and wear. So although increasing age is the greatest risk factor for osteoarthritis, other things contribute too.

KEEPING THE JOINTS HEALTHY

Whether someone already has arthritis or not, its important to try and keep joints in good working order with regular exercise and a healthy diet. Exercise keeps the supporting muscles and ligaments strong and relieves pain.

Combined with a healthy diet, exercise helps keep weight under control. A healthy diet also provides calcium to keep the bones strong: essential fatty acids are believed to reduce the process of inflammation and subsequent joint damage and vitamins A, C, and E and the mineral selenium may help prevent and treat the symptoms of osteoarthritis through their antioxidant action. All these nutrients for good joint health are also available in supplement form.

Losing weight also helps to relieve damaging pressure on the joints and contrary to popular belief, regular exercise, for example swimming, is beneficial for osteoarthritis since it improves the function of the joints and helps reduce pain. Moreover, exercise helps to reduce weight too. So the negative cycle of joint pain, inactivity, weight gain and worsening joint pain can be reversed to become exercise, weight loss, less joint pain and more activity. Physiotherapy and osteopathy can be of great help too.

If exercise and activity are to be achieved and the benefits of these gained, then first of all the painful symptoms of osteoarthritis need to be relieved. Conventional painkillers or complementary treatments can usually achieve this. Good natural treatments are extract of green-lipped mussel and devils claw. Ginger is a very good natural anti-inflammatory that can be eaten or taken as a supplement. Omega 3 fish oil works in a similar way to conventional anti-inflammatory medicines and so a daily dose helps many to overcome their joint problems. Garlic is also believed to help by increasing blood flow to an affected joint that in turn helps to calm down inflammation. Bromelain comes from the stem of the pineapple plant and is an effective pain-reliever, as is MSM. Another popular natural anti-inflammatory is curcumin found in the Ayurvedic spice turmeric.

Probably the most talked about supplements for joint health are glucosamine, a substance formed naturally in the body that is involved in cartilage manufacture and repair, and chondroitin. Glucosamine and chondroitin taken together or separately have long been believed to help reduce the pain of osteoarthritis and to help keep the joints strong. Its thought that they may even help to repair damaged joints. A recent large study Glucosamine Arthritis Intervention Trial (GAIT) found that those with moderate to severe osteoarthritis pain had significant relief when taking glucosamine and chondroitin. A separate part of this study is still ongoing and is examining whether the combination of glucosamine and chondroitin can reduce or actually halt the progression of osteoarthritis.

Although there is a degree of inevitability with regards to osteoarthritis, it is not inevitable that the condition will cause a person problems since despite having osteoarthritis, many people are not troubled by it. When problems do arise, however, its no longer a case of just having to put up with it. Being positive about overcoming pain combined with appropriate treatments and supplements enables many people with osteoarthritis to continue doing the activities they enjoy and want to do.