Arthritis is a very common disease of the joints, but how much do you really know about it? Surveys suggest that our understanding is often inaccurate due to the many misconceptions circulating about this chronic condition.
FALSE. In English-speaking countries, ‘arthritis’ is used as an umbrella term for all forms of the disease including the common form, osteoarthritis. In France, however, arthritis and osteoarthritis are viewed as two separate joint diseases, both of which cause rheumatic pain, but which differ in several ways. Arthritis is considered an inflammatory disease which is accompanied by secretion of substances that can change the structure of the joint. Osteoarthritis is regarded as a ‘mechanical’ disease, caused by ‘wear and tear’ changes to cartilage. As a result of these differences, it is believed that they do not always have the same symptoms: being inflammatory in origin, arthritis can be painful at any time – when resting or moving, while osteoarthritis primarily causes pain during movement which tends to subside when at rest.
TRUE. Osteoarthritis can occur in various parts of the body, in some more than others. In 70-75% of cases, osteoarthritis is detected in the spinal column in both cervical and lumbar vertebrae. In 60% of cases, the fingers are also affected, but the condition can also develop in the knees, hips, shoulders, wrists, elbows and feet.
FALSE. Contrary to popular belief, you can have osteoarthritis without realising it. Indeed, this joint disease can manifest in different ways depending on the individual. It may develop very slowly over several years with little or no joint pain. Unfortunately, however, its onset can also be rapid, appearing in just a few years and causing severe pain and significant degeneration of the joints.
TRUE. Though osteoarthritis may be less painful depending on the level of movement, severe pain can occur spontaneously. During these flare-ups, sufferers experience shooting pains, usually at night or in the morning, similar to those of arthritis. These painful episodes may last several days and are often indicative of a worsening of the disease.
TRUE AND FALSE. With the passing years, our joint cartilage naturally suffers wear and tear, which is why osteoarthritis is such a common disease among older people. On average, 65% of people over 65 are affected, with this figure rising to 80% in the over-80s. However, arthritis is not exclusively a disease of old age. It can develop in young adults, particularly those who participate in intense sports activity.
FALSE. It is often thought that repeatedly cracking your knuckles raises the risk of developing osteoarthritis in the hands or fingers. A number of theories have been expounded to explain such effects. But this has now been shown to be untrue. A doctor in California who tested the theory by cracking the finger joints on his left hand every day, found no significant difference between his hands after 50 years. Reassuring news for those who regularly crack their knuckles!
TRUE. Unlike cracking the joints, a number of other factors have been shown to predispose to osteoarthritis. Among them are bone fractures and other traumatic injuries such as dislocations and sprains. The same is true for joint diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis. Repeated, severe pressure on the joints also promotes wear and tear of cartilage. Studies have also shown that excess weight is associated with a greater risk of developing osteoarthritis.
TRUE AND FALSE. While it is true that exercise should be avoided during osteoarthritis flare-ups, activity should be resumed as soon as possible. Keeping the joints moving is essential in order to restrict cartilage degeneration. It is therefore vital for those with osteoarthritis to maintain regular physical exercise, focusing on moderate-intensity sports. Sensible options include walking, hiking, yoga, low-level gymnastics and swimming, the latter being a particularly good choice since the impact on joints from water-based activities is very low. Stretching can also help maintain good joint mobility.
TRUE. It is not only possible but important to maintain the health of your joints, starting from a young age. This primarily means avoiding falls, fractures, and trauma … To reduce the risk of osteoarthritis, regular, moderate-intensity exercise is also recommended. What you eat has an effect on your joints too; a healthy, balanced diet is vital in order to avoid gaining weight or risking deficiency. It is particularly important to ensure an adequate intake of calcium and vitamin D as these nutrients play a key role in joint health. Specific dietary supplements can also help maintain healthy joints. These include Joint Support Formula which combines a number of compounds with benefits for joint health, including hyaluronic acid, chondroitin sulfate and silicon which contributes to cartilage formation.
FALSE. Osteoarthritis should not be considered a ‘life sentence’. Solutions exist that can improve daily life by effectively targeting joint pain. Scientific progress has made significant advances towards the development of an effective treatment for osteoarthritis. Several natural substances have been identified as having properties for treating this condition. Among them is methylsulfonylmethane (MSM) which has been studied extensively for its ability to combat the condition. Other plants have attracted scientific interest includingBoswellia serrata resin, which has been used for thousands of years in India as a remedy for osteoarthritis, and has demonstrated a number of benefits for relieving and fighting the disorder. The same is true of curcuma which offers significant therapeutic potential for treating osteoarthritis with plant-based remedies.
Keywords
13 Hours
The address correction app put in the incorrect address and I missed it when I hit the accept option. I noticed it when the order was already in route and called customer service to request that they change it to the correct address as the shipper and they were right on top of it. They called me back right away and changed the address. They sent a new email with the tracking information and called me to let me know it was all taken care of. Really happy with the product and customer service.
B Ball
1 Days
Fast service good products.
PERCY
7 Days
GREAT HONEST COMPANY!! FAST SERVICE!
HENDERSON B.
9 Days
EVERYTHING!! NO ISSUES!
DOMINIC
10 Days
The service has been good. However, the telephone and email responses were better before. Most of the products are great. Returns are processed promptly, and I do believe this is an honest and caring company. I plan to continue to buy your products.
DANIEL FORD
13 Days
My order arrived when promised in the condition described
Lisa
22 Days
10/13/24 Y ou were a bit slow to respond, but still helpful.
David Rolston
27 Days
I received wehat I ordered in a tiomely fashion. Great job to the whole staff 👏
Monica P
27 Days
Pomises products that work.Fast shipping. Will recommend to family and friends.
NEW Virginia
28 Days
Excellent product. Timely delivery. Only had one issue over the last few years. Great. Thanks
LEGG Jennifer
31 Days
I trust this company and product as I tolerate the bacillus coagulans very well and feel better overall when I am taking it . Thank you for offerring this product as a company . And thank you for an easy ordering process.
Barbara J
32 Days
Always fast & quick service/delivery. Top products
Brett
34 Days
The peanut sugar free one was very rancid tasting… the nuts were old. Everything else was amazing
MOORE Jennifer
37 Days
I purchase hyaluronic acid from Super Smart because it's the highest Dalton rating I could find. Shipping could be a day or two faster.
Kathy
41 Days
Fast shipping; availability of products.
Paul