Arthritis

The term “arthritis” refers to several conditions that involve joint pain and inflammation. Regardless of the specific and restore joint function type of arthritis, chronic pain is nearly always a component.

• Osteoarthritis – Also called degenerative joint disease, this is a natural consequence of aging. It commonly occurs in weight-bearing joints, including knees and hips.

 • Rheumatoid arthritis – This is an autoimmune disease that can occur at any age. Joint cartilage and the synovial membrane become inflamed, eventually destroying tissue. Symptoms include mild to severe joint dysfunction, stiffness, fever, weight loss, and lack of energy. Often there is a red, painful lump around the rheumatoid joint.

• Gout – A painful disorder caused by improper elimination of uric acid in the body.  deposits of excess uric acid crystallize in the joint, causing swelling, redness, and extreme pain.

• Rheumatoid arthritis – This is an autoimmune disease that can occur at any age. Joint cartilage and the synovial membrane become inflamed, eventually destroying tissue. Symptoms include mild to severe joint dysfunction, stiffness, fever, weight loss, and lack of energy. Often there is a red, painful lump around the rheumatoid joint.

• Gout – A painful disorder caused by improper elimination of uric acid in the body.  deposits of excess uric acid crystallize in the joint, causing swelling, redness, and extreme pain.

Arthritis is more common among women than men. Obesity, repetitive movement, and aging all exacerbate the symptoms. Arthritis costs the world economy more than $140.2 billion annually. In 2004, over 39 million physician visits and more than half a million hospitalizations involved arthritis complaints. However, there are things you can do to improve your quality of life.
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Healthy Things You Can Do…
• Eat a diet rich in vitamins and minerals. Antioxidants, like vitamin E, are found in fruits and vegetables. Selenium is found in Brewer’s yeast, wheat germ, garlic, whole grains,
sunflower seeds, and Brazil nuts. Omega-3 fatty acids are present in cold water fish (like salmon, mackerel, and herring), flaxseed, rapeseed (canola) oil, soybeans, soybean oil, pumpkin seeds, and walnuts.
• Reduce stress, which can aggravate your symptoms.
• Consume foods containing histidine, including rice, wheat, and rye.
• Include foods that contain sulphur, such as eggs, garlic, onions, and white meats in your diet.
• Avoid pro-inflammatory nightshade vegetables, such as potatoes, peppers, eggplant, tomatoes, and white pepper.
• Don’t take iron supplements, instead, consume iron through foods.
• Avoid organ meats (liver, kidneys, sweetbreads), red meat (beef, pork, lamb), meat extracts (soup, broth, gravies), seafood (anchovies, sardines, herring, fish roe, canned tuna fish, shrimp, lobster, scallops, mussels), and yeast products
(beer and baked goods) if you are suffering from arthritic gout.
• Avoid holding one position for too long and avoid positions or movements that place extra stress on your affected joints. Modify your home to make activities easier.
• Test and treat infections as they could be the underlying cause of arthritis.
• Get regular exercise to reduce joint pain and retard joint deterioration.
• Maintain a healthy weight – The heavier you are, the more stress you put on your joints, which increases wear and tear.