Arthritis

Just as its name implies, arthritis (from the Greek "arth" meaning joint, "itis" meaning inflammation) is a condition that causes pain, swelling and limited movements in joints and connective tissue. It affects people of all ages.

Arthritis is the common name for over 100 different conditions. But getting arthritis does not mean that you have to give up an active life. Many forms of arthritis are highly treatable through a combination of simple lifestyle changes, exercise and medication.

Most common types of arthritis

Osteoarthritis

The most common form of arthritis, osteoarthritis, is a consequence of the wearing out of the cartilage that covers the ends of the bones. More often than not, osteoarthritis develops late in life and generally affects only a few joints – usually major weight-bearing joints like the hips, knees, and spine. It may also occur in a single joint that has been injured or that has a developmental defect.

Fortunately, many people with mild forms of osteoarthritis experience only mild discomfort. Over-the-counter medications, especially NSAIDs (non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug) such as ASPIRIN, can provide temporary relief of pain due to arthritis inflammation. More serious cases will require specialized drugs and other treatments.

Rheumatoid Arthritis

Rheumatoid arthritis is a persistent, progressive, autoimmune disease that affects symmetrical joints such as the fingers, wrists, feet, hips and knees. In some cases, rheumatoid arthritis can strike suddenly, irreversibly damaging joints within the first two years of onset of the disease. In mild form of rheumatoid arthritis, there is only minor discomfort and no joint deformity.

Early warning signs of rheumatoid arthritis include:

• Early morning stiffness that lasts longer than 30 minutes
• Painful swollen joints that make full joint movement difficult
• Fatigue that cannot be linked to anything
• General weakness
• Weight loss
• Feelings of depression

Diagnosis and Prevention

Early diagnosis of arthritis is the first step to successful treatment

• Although most forms of arthritis cannot yet be eliminated completely, proper treatment can prevent or reduce disability.
• Arthritis is highly treatable through the use of medication and/or lifestyle changes.
• Both exercise and diet can play an important role.
• Learn as much as you can about the disease and keep abreast of new information.

Taking the following steps will not guarantee that you do not get osteoarthritis, but they may minimize the risk.

• Exercise regularly to flex joints and build muscle.
• Maintain an appropriate weight for your height and build.

All forms of arthritis have one thing in common: Early diagnosis and treatment can improve a person’s chances of maintaining a higher quality of life.

Consult your doctor immediately if you are experiencing any of the early warning symptoms listed above.

Your treatment plan may include using ASPIRIN. In fact, ASPIRIN is the original arthritis pain reliever – it was discovered by Felix Hoffman as a treatment for his father’s arthritis pain in 1897.

Why choose ASPIRIN?

ASPIRIN works at the site, reducing the pain of inflammation and letting you return to your activities. ASPIRIN is also classified as an NSAID (non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug) and unlike other pain relievers containing acetaminophen which reduce the perception of pain, the active ingredient in ASPIRIN also goes to the site of the pain to reduce the pain of inflammation. That’s why so many doctors and pharmacists recommend ASPIRIN.

Today's ASPIRIN: For tough pain relief and so much more.