| Arthritis is a debilitating disease that affects a | | | | also, far too commonly, affects other organs of the |
| significant percentage of the population. It is not a new | | | | body. Woman are affected by the condition more than |
| disease, there is direct evidence identifying the effects | | | | men by a factor of three. Diet, exercise and |
| it has had on bodies several thousands of years old. | | | | analgesics are commonly used in the treatment of the |
| The disease comes in many forms, more than 100 | | | | condition. |
| different types have been identified so far, some more | | | | Osteoarthritis: This form of arthritis has its origins in |
| damaging than others. All are affected by weight, diet, | | | | everyday wear and tear. The condition can be very |
| lifestyle, age (with some exceptions) and genetics. | | | | painful when cartilage wears through, producing direct |
| Some are more prevalent in women than men and | | | | contact between the bones in a joint. Since the |
| vice-versa. | | | | condition is part of a wearing process it is common in |
| Treatment is almost as varied as the condition itself, | | | | the elderly. Treatment can include diet to reduce |
| from Western drugs to Chinese acupuncture and | | | | weight and hence load, pain killers and surgery. The |
| beyond. As is also true with so many other conditions | | | | surgery could include joint replacement as well as joint |
| diet plays a vital role along with exercise. Symptoms | | | | fusion in some cases. We can't beat arthritis of this |
| range from mild to excruciating. | | | | type unless we can reduce the load on the body by |
| The medical profession plays a key role in managing | | | | recognizing the signs early and looking after ourselves |
| the symptoms of Arthritis but even modern science | | | | better. In the overweight, weight loss is essential. |
| carries a price. If only the medics had more time they | | | | Gout: This is a common condition that is normally |
| would be able to advise us about the connection | | | | caused by an excess of uric acid forming crystals in |
| between the drugs we take and the food we eat. It | | | | the joints and surrounding tissue. This can result in |
| surprised me, for instance, to learn that grapefruit juice | | | | acute, recurring, inflammatory arthritis in the affected |
| can negate the effects and reliability of the | | | | joint. There is a strong association between this |
| contraceptive pill. What other food/drug conflicts exist? | | | | condition and alcohol, meat, sugar and some seafood. |
| If we are to beat arthritis we need to accept that we | | | | Again we can beat arthritis of this type by changes to |
| need to learn more about our condition and try to find | | | | our lifestyle and what we eat and drink. |
| a way to reduce our reliance, particularly on pain killing | | | | Juvenile arthritis: For a young child to be affected by |
| drugs. If we give our bodies the correct nutritional tools | | | | arthritis seems to be very unfair, but it is not |
| we give it the best possible chance of repairing itself | | | | uncommon. Symptoms may include poor appetite, |
| or reducing the rate of decline. Rheumatoid arthritis and | | | | reduced physical output, limping, loss of appetite and |
| osteoarthritis can never be completely prevented but | | | | persistent flue like indications. A tell tale sign is swelling |
| making the right dietary decisions early enough can | | | | of joints that are probably easier for a parent to spot |
| slow the condition down and buy us years of pain free | | | | than a medic, unless the swelling is pronounced. With |
| life. | | | | any child it's important that they are seen by a Doctor |
| Common forms of arthritis | | | | when symptoms are noticed. It should also ring alarm |
| Rheumatoid arthritis: It is believed that over six hundred | | | | bells with the parent. To beat arthritis in children it is |
| million people worldwide are affected by rheumatoid | | | | essential to examine the diet as a matter of course. |
| arthritis. It is a degenerative disease thought to be | | | | Juvenile arthritis can have many causes, not all |
| caused by a problem in our own immune system. This | | | | understood, but the building blocks of recovery are |
| is where our own white blood cells attack healthy cells. | | | | often delivered 'on a plate'. |
| The effect is most widely noticed in the joints but it | | | | |