For over fifty years, the painful affliction of arthritis has been treated with conventional medical practices.
Combining a mixture of exercises, painkillers and surgery where required, this type of treatment has enjoyed a relatively high rate of success, hence the reason for continued use as opposed to newer, less conventional methods of treatment.
However, this type of traditional treatment can cause just as many problems as the arthritis itself, unfortunately.
Since painkillers are used to combat the painful effects arthritis has on joints, they will also hide any side effects that the treatment is causing.
This can be something like something seemingly as harmless as diarrhoea, which can be a nasty addition to arthritis treatment.
This is because if the medication causes the wall of the stomach to function less in any way, it can lead to antigens entering the bloodstream that affects joints, therefore inflaming the arthritis even more.
This happens due to the defensive white blood cells attacking the waste that is trying to get to the joints.
When this happens, the pain can be excruciating for arthritis sufferers, since enzymes are also released to combat the invading cells.
This then leads to further problems, as the ligaments and bone muscle that are meant to be getting aid from the medication are actually being traumatised further.
This is when the affliction known as rheumatoid arthritis happens.
Even everyday medication like aspirin can have a negative effect on arthritis treatment.
Since aspirin decreases the amount of essential vitamins the body needs, such as Vitamin B for example, this again can do more damage than good.
With the body not getting the amount of vitamins it needs, the bones and cartilage begin to deteriorate, and lead to the same problems that cause arthritis in the first place.
Non-steroid drugs such as ibuprofen and Indocid may help to relieve the pain and swelling that is the common result in arthritis symptoms, yet in the long-term can cause stomach problems due to the chemicals involved.
Even the likes of Celebrex can cause cardiovascular issues, although it is better for the stomach than the other two methods.
Steroids are a slightly more feasible option, but those too can have their drawbacks.
Although effective as painkillers, arthritis treatments that use steroids like penicillamine can lead to the reduction of copper in your body.
If you suffer from arthritis of the gout, then the usual method of treatment is colchicines, yet this can lower the amount of Vitamin B12 your body produces.
If you are receiving any kind of suppressive drugs, such as Matrex or anti-malarial medication, you will need to be closely watched as these can have serious side effects, whether the drugs are administered orally or via injection.
Unfortunately, no matter what drugs or medicinal treatment you take, often the arthritis will be too far advanced for them to work.
In this case, surgery is the only option available to you.
The good news with surgery is that the success rate is extremely high, with the likes of hip replacements and knee joint surgery enjoying a success rate of 95%.
If successful, these replacements can last anywhere up to fifteen years before needing replaced.
However, for those whose bodies reject the new additions, it can lead to even more painful arthritical problems than before, with severely debilitating results.
Since there are various types of surgery available, from the simplest bone shard removal to releasing trapped nerves, arthritis can be a treatable malaise.
However, due to the after-effects that can happen, be sure to speak to your physician first.