Are you suffering from joint pain and stiffness? Is this joint pain and stiffness that you are experiencing accompanied by swelling and redness? Are the affected joints warm and tender to the touch? Do these affected joints make it difficult for you to move? If your answer to all four questions is a "yes, " then you probably have arthritis.

The word arthritis literally means joint inflammation. The term is often used to cover a multitude of illnesses and conditions that are rheumatic in nature, with the common symptoms of joint pain and swelling as well as stiffness. The degree of severity of arthritis in afflicted patients varies from case to case. Some patients only experience mild arthritis, where they are still able to carry out their normal functions, while some patients have got it so severely that moving without any joint pain has become impossible.

Osteoarthritis is most common among the elderly, but it can also afflict anyone regardless of age. There are existing statistics that three out of five people suffering from arthritis are below the age of 65. Even children can have arthritis, and this malady in children is called juvenile arthritis.

Why do people develop arthritis? Medical researchers are not yet certain as to what causes the ailment, but factors include a sustained injury to the joints, abnormal metabolism observed in the body, a genetic predisposition towards arthritis, obesity putting undue strain on joints, and acquired infections. Though there are many diseases and conditions that fall under the general umbrella of arthritis, as mentioned above, two of these are the most common - osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis.

Osteoarthritis is a form of arthritis that is caused by the wearing and tearing of the joints over time. Mostly experienced by the elderly, osteoarthritis is a degenerative disease of the joints. On the other hand, rheumatoid arthritis happens when the immune system of the body suddenly attacks the Synovium - the lining that cushions the joints - without any easily discernible reason.

At the very least, arthritis can cause pain that is acute and annoying. But if it is left alone and untreated, the ailment can lead to permanent damage to the body, including disability. It can even develop into more serious ailments.

There are many ways of managing and treating arthritis. Some patients turn to medication and surgery, while some opt for alternative treatments like chiropractic treatments, acupuncture, acupressure, yoga and tai chi. One popular way of proven recently in studies to manage osteoarthritis is by taking nutritional supplements containing glucosamine and chondroitin sulfate.

A leading glucosamine supplement for treating osteoarthritis, considered very safe and effective, goes by the brand name Syn-flex Liquid Glucosamine, or Syn-flex for short. Syn-flex contains pharmaceutical quality glucosamine and chondroitin sulfate and significantly helps manage pain in those suffering from arthritis pain in both people and in pets. Syn-flex offers 2 main people formulas and 2 pet formulas that have made thousands upon thousands of people and pets believers in the power of glucosamine. The liquid formula speeds the healing through maximum absorption into the bloodstream, making a noticeable difference in only a couple of weeks as apposed to 6 to 8 weeks for pills which are less effective. Dosing of Syn-flex is a quarter ounce a day for most people and much less for pets who take their dose according to a weight chart.