The culprit could be rheumatoid arthritis - painful, inflammatory type of arthritis that occurs when the body's immune system attacks itself in the area around your joints, ligaments and bones.
Historically, the treatment for many arthritic conditions was by changing your diet. However, in the last 50 years, we've seen the development of many drugs - anti-inflammatory agents, steroids and immune-altering drugs to help ease the symptoms. While often effective, these drugs frequently cause side effects.
Within the last 10 years we've seen many studies re-investigating the worth of the older dietary and nutritional treatments that have proved to be surprisingly effective. And less toxic than some of the drug-related remedies.
What is Rheumatoid Arthritis?
Rheumatoid arthritis is a common type of chronic arthritis that causes swelling and pain in small and large joints. While the hands, especially the large knuckle joints, are most commonly affected, the condition often affects larger joints like the elbow, wrist, knee or ankle.
The joint swelling, which is often red and warm to the touch, is due to inflammation of the synovium, a thin layer of tissue surrounding many joints. The inflammatory process involves a mixture of white cells and proteins called immunoglobulins. These antibodies, instead of being directed at infecting organisms, end up fighting each other - hence the swelling.
What triggers this fracas in the first place, and why is it so chronic? While each case is unique, possible triggers are infections, food allergies and genetic factors.
What Your Doctor Can Do about Rheumatoid Arthritis
Rheumatoid arthritis can usually be determined by blood tests and X-rays. Your doctor will often suggest treatment on a step-wise basis, with simple treatments tried first and the more powerful drugs reserved for aggressive conditions. However, the side effects of these drugs often limit their long-term use. Here are common treatments:
Painkillers such as paracetamol and codeine for mild conditions. Anti-inflammatory drugs called NSAIDs (non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs). There are many, (e.g. aspirin) all producing similar results. Delayed release preparations and suppositories are also useful. The most serious side effect is stomach bleeding, more likely in older patients. This type of medication doesn't stop the disease's progress, and aspirin may increase your need for vitamin C. Gold, D-penicillamine, hydroxychloroquine and sulphasalazine are all termed second-line drugs used when NSAIDs are not effective enough and if many joints are involved. D-penicillamine may cause deficiencies of zinc and vitamin B6. Steroids are effective but high doses produce many unwanted effects, especially osteoporosis or bone thinning. Low doses, 10 mg or less per day of prednisolone, are effective and much less risky. Eating a nutritious diet low in salt and high in calcium, possibly with supplements, may reduce the side effects of long-term steroid use. Other drugs include immune altering and anti-cancer drugs. These are real heavyweights, but if used in small doses, and carefully monitored, these have the potential to alter the excessive activity of the immune system. Recent scientific research supports the old idea that tetracycline antibiotics can be helpful. The original theory put forward 30 years ago suggested arthritis was due to an infection. Further research will hopefully tell us more.
6 Things You Can Do for Arthritis
A lot, so don't give up. Rheumatoid arthritis is often a long-term condition and usually a conventional or complementary treatment will work. The difficulty is to know which is right for you. You may wish to combine approaches, especially use of a NSAID with either low-dose steroid or a second-line drug and dietary change and use of nutritional supplements, especially fish oils.
In order of importance, consider the following:
Most of these treatments will take several weeks if not two or three months to be effective.
1. If obese, lose weight. Very few dietary treatments will work if you are significantly overweight and nothing will help your knees and hips as much. 2. Consider an exclusion diet. Allergy to some foods is now widely accepted as occurring in rheumatoid arthritis. Reactions to milk, cheese, wheat, other grains and artificial colourings are all documented. Try an exclusion diet for three weeks or so. If you notice a good response, then carefully re-introduce the foods at, say, weekly intervals to determine which, if any, contribute to symptoms. 3. Fish oil supplements have been shown effective in several trials. Large doses need to be taken for 3-4 months. They should provide 1.3 g of DHA and 1.3 g of EPA per day. This approach is best combined with a nutritious diet. 4. Supplements of zinc or selenium have shown some benefit in some, but not all studies. These may help if you are deficient in these nutrients and are best combined with a multi-vitamin supplement and a good diet. 5. Consider popular joint supplements like Flexeze™ and Lubramine G™ which contain both glucosamine and chondroitin, the two cartilage proteins needed to increase the rate of formation of new cartilage. Another popular supplement to consider is Celadrin™ a natural ingredient that reduces inflammation and lubricates cell membranes in the joint area. 6. A Vegan diet can be helpful, possibly because it reduces the intake of saturated fats.
To learn more about following a diet that helps reduce your symptoms of arthritis, visit http://www.keepingyourjointshealthy.com The website a great resource site for information on the many natural supplements people are taking to stop these degenerative diseases and to reduce the pain associated with troublesome joints.
About the Author
Maryon Stewart is well known in both the UK and Australia as a pioneer in the field on non-drug medicine. She is the author of 25 best selling self-help books and founder of the Natural Health Advisory Service, an advisory clinic created to help people deal with health, nutrition and aging issues naturally. Her formal training has included preventive dentistry, nutrition, counselling and health promotion and she regularly lectures to both the public and the medical profession.
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