Arthritis is an inflammation of the joints. It can affect one joint or multiple joints. There are more than 100 different types of arthritis, with different causes and treatment methods. Two of the most common types are osteoarthritis (OA) and rheumatoid arthritis (RA). It’s important to be accurately diagnosed and know what type of arthritis you have to get the appropriate treatment.
Arthritis affects more than 180 million people in India – higher than many well-known diseases such as diabetes, AIDS and cancer. Arthritis is one of the most common causes of joint pain. Keep an eye for the early signs of arthritis as arthritis worsens over a period of time.
- Joint Pain
- Joint Swelling
- Stiffness of Joints
- Deformity of Joints
- Grinding Sensations
- Lumps and Bumps Around Joints
- Joint Tenderness
- Warm/Red Joints
Some facts about Arthritis:
- Arthritis can affect children too. Arthritis is often thought of as an age disease that commonly affects the elderly. However, people of all ages may be affected, even children.
- Rheumatoid arthritis isn’t a type of arthritis related to old age, it usually develops in people between the ages of 40 and 60.
- Arthritis is three to four times more common amongst women as compared to men, especially older women.
- Patients suffering from arthritis symptoms, such pain and stiffness, often do not get adequate exercise due to increased levels of pain. This may lead to other lifestyle diseases like diabetes, heart disease and obesity.
Arthritis and food:
Following a healthy diet and adding in specific foods and spices could help fight inflammation and joint pain of Arthritis. Here are some suggested foods:
- Broccoli, Brussels sprouts and cabbage. These veggies are part of the cruciferous family, and they are full of a compound called sulforaphane, which helps slow cartilage damage in joints due to osteoarthritis.
- Fatty fish. Fatty fish like salmon, tuna, trout and mackerel are rich in omega-3 fatty acids, which help fight inflammation.
- Garlic. Garlic is a member of the allium family—which also includes onions and leeks. These items contain a compound called diallyl disulfide that may help with a number of diseases—including arthritis. This compound helpps limit cartilage-damaging enzymes.
- Turmeric. Turmeric contains a compound called curcumin, that is beneficial to manage chronic inflammatory-related joint disease.
- Vitamin C. Antioxidants in vitamin C may slow the progression of osteoarthritis. You can get vitamin C from strawberries, kiwi, pineapple, or cantaloupe.
Living with Arthritis
Arthritis is a leading cause of pain and disability worldwide. Here are some do’s and don’ts about how to handle arthritis pain.
1. Everyday routine
- Keep your joints moving. Do daily, gentle stretches that move your joints through their full range of motion.
- Use good posture. A physical therapist can show you how to sit, stand and move correctly.
- Know your limits. Balance activity and rest, and don’t overdo. In addition, lifestyle changes are important for easing pain.
- Manage weight. Being overweight can increase complications of arthritis and contribute to arthritis pain. Making incremental, permanent lifestyle changes resulting in gradual weight loss is often the most effective method of weight management.
- Quit smoking. Smoking causes stress on connective tissues, which can increase arthritis pain.
2. Exercise
When you have arthritis, movement can decrease your pain and stiffness, improve your range of motion, strengthen your muscles, and increase your endurance.
What to do
Choose the right kinds of activities — those that build the muscles around your joints but don’t damage the joints themselves. Seek professional help if needed.
What to avoid
Avoid activities that involve high impact and repetitive motion, such as:
- Running
- Jumping
- Tennis
- High-impact aerobics
- Repeating the same movement, such as a tennis serve, again and again.
Do you know anyone suffering from Arthritis? Consult our team of specialists at the Centre for Bone and Joint. Please find below link for more details:
