> Arthritis is a common condition that causes pain and inflammation in a joint.
1/ Osteoarthritis
- most common type of arthritis in the UK.
- usually develops in mid-40s or older.
- more common in women and if family history.
- can occur at any age due to injury
- associated with gout and rheumatoid arthritis.
> commonly affected joints = hands, spine, knees, hips.
Osteoarthritis initially affects the smooth cartilage lining of the joint. This makes movement more difficult than usual, leading to pain and stiffness. Once the cartilage lining starts to roughen and thin out, the tendons and ligaments have to work harder. This can cause swelling and the formation of bony spurs. Severe loss of cartilage can lead to bone rubbing on bone, altering the shape of the joint and forcing the bones out of their normal position.
2/ Rheumatoid arthritis
> less common than osteoarthritis.
> often starts 30 - 50 years old.
> women are more likely to be affected than men.
In rheumatoid arthritis, the body's immune system targets affected joints, which leads to pain and swelling. The outer covering (synovium) of the joint is the first place affected.This can then spread across the joint, leading to further swelling and a change in the joint's shape. This may cause the bone and cartilage to break down. People with rheumatoid arthritis can also develop problems with other tissues and organs in their body.
3/ Other types of arthritis and related conditions
ankylosing spondylitis – spine stiffness => joints fuse together.
cervical spondylosis (degenerative osteoarthritis) - affects the the neck.
fibromyalgia – causes pain in the body's muscles, ligaments and tendons.
lupus – autoimmune condition - affects many organs and tissues.
gout – type of arthritis caused by too much uric acid in joints – often big toe.
psoriatic arthritis – an inflammatory joint condition that can affect people with psoriasis.
enteropathic arthritis – linked with IBD – often affects lower limb joints and spine.
reactive arthritis – develops shortly after an infection of the gut, bowel or throat.
secondary arthritis – develops after a joint injury (often years later).
polymyalgia rheumatica – usually over 50s – often across shoulders and tops of legs.
Natural Foods to help arthritic pain include:
1. Salmon, mackerel, sardines and trout - omega-3 and vitamin D => reduce inflammation.
2. Tart cherry juice reduces CRP (inflammatory marker) and uric acid.
3. Grapes contain resveratrol which has anti-inflammatory effects.
4. Spinach, kale & broccoli are high in vitamins E (anti-inflammatory) and C (collagen).
5. Nuts - high fibre, calcium, magnesium, zinc, vitamin E and omega-3 fats (anti-inflammatory).
6. Extra virgin olive oil - oleocanthal effects similar to non-steroidal, anti-inflammatory drugs.
7. Berries contain lots of antioxidants and anthocyanins which reduce inflammation.
8. Green tea - epigallocatechin-3-gallate (antioxidant) may prevent cartilage breaking down.
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(Adapted from www.nhs.uk)
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