Arthritis is one of the most common diseases affecting aging humans. When arthritis symptoms appear, it usually strikes the hands or knees, which are two of the most commonly used joints in the body. It is estimated that arthritis affects over 30 million Americans, and almost half of those have pain from arthritis every day. There are several ways that you can control arthritis pain and symptoms, although unfortunately, there is no cure for arthritis. However, there are numerous arthritis treatments that you can use to manage your arthritis symptoms so that you can live a quality life. Some arthritis treatments can be purchased over the counter at your local pharmacy, while others may require a doctor’s prescription.

NSAIDs, such as Non-Steroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drugs (NSAIDs), work by decreasing inflammation and pain by inhibiting an inflammatory response from the body. Acetaminophen, ibuprofen, and naproxen are common NSAIDs that reduce inflammation and pain and can be taken without a doctor’s prescription. The downside to these drugs is that they can cause significant side effects like stomach pain, nausea, dizziness, upset stomach, bleeding and ulcers. Acetaminophen, ibuprofen, and naproxen are available without a doctor’s prescription and are used to treat moderate to severe arthritis pain.

Taking all of these medications in combination may provide some relief, however these are not a full blown cure for arthritis. In addition, these types of drugs may provide some negative side effects, such as stomach pain, headache, nausea, dizziness, bleeding and ulcers. If these medications do not meet your arthritis treatment needs, you may want to talk to your doctor about alternative methods for treating your arthritis. Medications can be taken as stand-alone or in combination with other medications.