As we get older, our joints become more susceptible to illness and certain precautions need to be in place to counter the dangers known as osteoarthritis. Before you can even consider diagnosing your aching joints, you need to understand what is the major cause of the pain in the first place. This article is going to address that issue and common methods of treatment that should be considered.

First, it is important to know what caused the pain in the first place. The most common reason for joint pain is that it was unusually exerted or even overtrained. It could also have been caused from an earlier strain or injury, or even a past disease such as mumps or chickenpox. Other causes for aching joints are from autoimmune diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis, bursitis, septic arthritis, and chondromalacia patellae. These problems may seem small at one moment, but they could all end up playing a destructive toll on your fragile body.

It is important that you understand the difference between acute and chronic arthritis if you are looking for a diagnosis for your aching joints. Acute refers to conditions lasting fewer than eight weeks while chronic simply means that the pain lasts for a longer amount of time. Another important contradiction is understanding the difference between inflammatory and noninflammatory illnesses. Inflammatory disorders usually increase stiffness when resting, cause morning stiffness to last longer than forty-five minutes, and also have a better chance of swelling. Noninflammatory disorders are considered when morning stiffness lasts for less than fifteen minutes.

You basically have four options to diagnose your aching joints. The most popular are NSAID, embrocations, analgesia, and supplementation. NSAID`s, embrocations, and analgesia are great treatment options, but I suggest that you consult a physician beforehand if you decide to take that route. However, if your aching joints are less severe, the following supplements are the perfect combination for over-the-counter relief:

* Glucosamine Chondroitin Combo by Jarrow Formulas
* Glucosamine 1500 w/ Chondroitin and MSN by Liquid Formulas
* RRS-Enduro Joint by Unisex

Joint pain is not only experienced by the elderly, but by athletes as well. Long distance runners, sprinters, soccer, basketball, and football players are all in danger of suffering from aching joints if they are not prepared. Joint problems can occur at any age so don`t think that just because you are young that you won`t develop aching joints. Be smart and take care of your joints. Until next time, later.

Zach Bashore
April 18, 2006