Glucosamine

Glucosamine is also known with many different names like chitosamine, glucosamine sulphate, glucosamine hydrochloride, N-acetyl glucosamine, glucosamine sulfate. It is found in our body in a naturally compounded form. Glucosamine is produced by glucose and amino acid glutamine present in our body. Glucosamine helps in the production of a molecule called glycosaminoglycan. This glycosaminoglycan prevents the formation and repair of cartilage and various other tissues present in the body. Production rate of glycosaminoglycan decreases with the time i.e. production rate of glycosaminoglycan slows down as we grew up and continues to decrease as the time passes and we grew older and older.
Glucosamine can be purchased from any health food center or from any drug center where you can easily get some nutritional supplements. Shells of different sea creatures like crab, lobster and shrimp are used to manufacture the supplements of glucosamine.
NOTE: Glucosamine is also used in various sport drinks and also in different kind of cosmetic products.
Glucosamine normally comes in a combination with chondroitin sulfate. Chondroitin sulfate is a kind of molecule present in cartilage. Chondroitin is responsible for preventing cartilage from being destructed by the enzymes attack.
Why Glucosamine is used?
Glucosamine supplements are basically used for the treatment of osteoarthritis disease (Particularly knee osteoarthritis).
Cartilage, which is a rubbery material and cushions joints in our body becomes very stiff and start losing its elasticity in Osteoarthritis disease, this stiffness of cartilage damages the joint prone which may result into pain, swelling in joints, movement loss in joints and many more disorders. Natural glucosamine produced inside the body helps to prevent and repair joint cartilage.
How to use Glucosamine:
Glucosamine should be taken directly by mouth according to the doctor directions. You should follow all the directions written on the pack of this medicine. If you feel that you cannot understand the direction easily then you should consult to your doctor before starting the use of this medicine.
Glucosamine is not prescribed for more than 6 months of time period. If you face any complication while using this medicine you should immediately stop using this medicine and consult with your doctor.
Precautions while using Glucosamine:
• You should decrease the amount of alcohol you consume daily. Alcohol consumption may affect the possible results of this medicine.
• You should avoid tasks which require you to be alert, just after using this medicine.
• You should avoid the use of this medicine if you have other disease like diabetes, liver or kidney problems and if you are alcohol dependent.
• You should always consult your doctor before starting this medicine and should ask whether this medicine is safe to use for you or not.
• Pregnant women should not use this medicine, but still it is required then they should take it only when it is required and that too under doctors guideline.
• You should be aware about the good and bad effects of this medicine, so you should always consult with your doctor and try to get complete information about this medicine before starting it.
Instructions before using Glucosamine:
You should always consult and inform your doctor before using this medicine. You should tell your doctor about all the medicines either prescribed or non-prescribed medicines you are using or may use in the future. You should ask your doctor that which is the safe medicines to take with glucosamine.


In case of overdose of Glucosamine:
If due to any circumstances you feel that you have taken an overdose of glucosamine than you should immediately call to your doctor of nearest poison control center. Overdose of glucosamine can really cause some major problems. You should always keep a track record of your past medical or laboratory tests as they play a very important role in your treatment.
What if you miss a dosage?
If due to any reason you miss your daily routine dosage then you should take as soon as you remember to take it. You should skip the dose you cannot take in the whole day; you should not double your dosage in any case.
Where to store glucosamine?
You should always study all the instructions printed on the pack of medicine.