Joints with arthritis may have: swelling, warmth, redness or pain. Joint pain, stiffness, tenderness, and swelling are the most prominent signs of the disease. In addition, many patients experience fatigue, weight loss, and a condition called crepitus -- a cracking sound that is also called popping joints.

Joints affected by arthritis are already under strain. If you are overweight or obese, the extra load on your joints may be exacerbating your symptoms, especially if your affected joints include those of the hip, knee or spine.

Pain can be continuous or intermittent; after an activity or exercise or just if you've been resting, you may have pain in one spot or feel it all over your body. Daily chores can become a challenge. Painkillers such as aspirin, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), and corticosteroids are routinely prescribed to suffering patients.

However, because of concerns regarding the side effects of chemical medication, many people are exploring the use of less conventional and more natural treatments.

Knees and hands are the most commonly affected sites. Rheumatoid arthritis affects connective tissue.Herbal preparations are usually very safe and even if you take larger doses than recommended, there are hardly any side effects.

Both sufferers and non-sufferers can take them in the same way. Herbal medicines can contain dangerous contaminants, including pesticides, lead or mercury. More disturbing is the inclusion of prescription or OTC drugs in some natural herbal preparations.

Glucosamine is thought to promote the formation and repair of cartilage. Chondroitin is believed to promote water retention and elasticity in cartilage and inhibit enzymes that break down cartilage. Glucosamine and chondroitin give the cartilage-forming cells what they need to build new cartilage and to repair the existing damaged cartilage.

These products can help ease pain, but primarily work by actually healing the damage that has been done. Glucosamine and chondroitin have finally been proven as effective remedies for arthritis pain. But talk with your doctor before you take them.

Glucosamine sulfate and chondroitin sulfate both decrease the pain and stiffness associated with a variety of arthritic conditions. In some cases, the effect is found to be similar to that provided by anti-inflammatory drugs.

Glucosamine, together with a related ingredient called Chondroitin, are substances which exist naturally in your body. It is believed that glucosamine helps to build and repair cartilage (the soft, spongy material between your joints), while chondroitin lends to the elasticity and flexibility of joints. Glucosamine no better than placebo for hip . Seriously gets rid of dark circles and puffiness.

Naturally everyone knows that pain killers help, but the human body builds up resistance to painkillers over time. So, besides painkillers, what helps with hip arthritis pain? Natural health care at its best for the whole family.

Naturally, this becomes more difficult as you age and as your arthritis progresses. But keeping your body active in early years will actually help prevent you from getting arthritis in later life, or at least greatly reduce the risk.