Arthritis – Symptoms, Causes, Treatments and Diet Tips

Arthritis is a broad term that refers to the inflammation of joints. The main symptoms of arthritis are stiffness and joint pain in one or multiple joints. There are more than 200 different types of arthritis, each differing in cause and treatment method. 

The most common types of arthritis are Osteoarthritis and Rheumatoid arthritis. Arthritis does not occur immediately; it develops over time. Globally, one-fifth of the adult population, is experiencing some form of arthritis. It is more common in women than in men.

Table of contents:

• Types of Arthritis
• Symptoms of Arthritis
• Causes and risk factors of arthritis
• Diagnosis
• Treatment for arthritis
• Can change in diet help cure arthritis?
• What to eat and what to avoid for arthritis?
• Indian meal plan tips for arthritis

Types of Arthritis

Osteoarthritis and Rheumatoid arthritis are the two common types of arthritis.

Osteoarthritis:

Osteoarthritis is caused due to wear and tear on the bones, which occur as we age. Cartilage cushions the ends of the bones and helps in the easy movement of the joints. If the cushion is damaged, there is increased friction between the bones, which creates pain. Osteoarthritis affects the entire joint and causes deterioration of the cartilage, leading to inflammation.

Rheumatoid arthritis:

Rheumatoid arthritis is a result of the body’s immune system attacking the joints. This is also called an auto-immune disorder. The body’s immune system attacks the soft tissue in the joints responsible for lubricating and nourishing the cartilage.

Symptoms of Arthritis

The most common symptoms are:

• Joint pain
• Stiffness
• Swelling of joints
• Loss of appetite
• Tiredness
• Anaemia
• Fever

In severe conditions, the intensity of the above symptoms increases, and symptoms may include

• Decreased range of motion
• Chronic joint pain
• Difficult in climbing stairs
• Knobby finger joints

Causes and risk factors of arthritis

• Age: Arthritis is common in older persons. The occurrence of arthritis starts as early as 20 years and progresses with age.
• Gender: Women are more prone to arthritis than men, as they may typically stand for long hours completing household chores.
• Obesity: Being overweight increases the stress on joints, especially on your knees, spine, and hip. Obesity increases the risk of osteoarthritis.
• Injuries: People with joint injuries are more prone to arthritis. Injuries can exacerbate the natural breakdown of the connective tissue, leading to a greater likelihood of developing arthritis.
• Infection: Bacteria, fungi, or viruses can infect the joints and may lead to inflammation.

Diagnosis

Consult a doctor if you’re experiencing continuous joint pain and difficulty walking. The doctor will conduct a physical examination and check the fluid around your joints and the range of motion.

The second step is the analysis of inflammation levels in the blood and joint fluids. 

The diagnostic tests include:

• The Antinuclear Antibody (ANA) test
• Rheumatoid factor (RF) test
• Anti-Cyclic Citrullinated Peptide (anti-CCP) test

Other examination methods may include X-Ray, CT scan, and MRI, to obtain images of the bones and cartilages.

Treatment for arthritis

Arthritis treatments focus on pain reduction and preventing further damage to the joints.

Heating pads and ice packs are found to be helpful at the beginning stage to soothe pain, while assisted walkers reduce the pressure on the joints.

1. Medicines for arthritis:

• Analgesics: This class of medicines only reduces pain and does not affect inflammation. Paracetamol (acetaminophen), and opioids like oxycodone and hydrocodone are examples of analgesics.
• Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs): These reduce both inflammation and pain, and are commonly available as over-the-counter drugs. Examples are ibuprofen and naproxen. They are available as creams, gels, and as patches to apply on specific joints.
• Immunosuppressants: Also known as corticosteroids, these are drugs that reduce inflammation and suppress the immune system. They are available as tablets and injections, and are injected directly into the joint. Examples are prednisone and cortisone.
• Counterirritants: Menthol, capsaicin creams, and ointments are available for using topically (over the skin) to reduce pain.

2. Surgery

For severe cases, joint replacement may be an option. If arthritis in the fingers is severe, doctors may perform joint fusion to lock the bones until they heal.

3. Alternative medicine

Acupuncture, yoga, Tai Chi, massage, glucosamine, and chondroitin are some alternative practices used for arthritis. However, researches are mixed. 

4. Physical therapy

Physical therapy strengthens the muscles around the affected joints and may be useful for arthritis.

Can change in diet help cure arthritis?

Lifestyle and diet changes help with symptom reduction, increasing overall well-being. 

An important factor for arthritis is obesity or being overweight. Weight loss reduces the risk of developing arthritis and helps adults lead a normal life.

Eating a healthy diet, along with exercise, is very important for weight loss. A diet rich in omega-3-fatty acids, antioxidants, sulphur-rich foods, and whole grains will help reduce inflammation, increase immunity, and maintain a healthy weight.

#1 Omega-3 fatty acids for arthritis

Walnuts, flaxseeds, and chia seeds are superfoods rich in Omega-3 fatty acids. These acids greatly reduce inflammation in the body. Consume 4 to 5 walnuts a day and add 1 to 1.5 tablespoons of Flax or Chia seeds to your food.

Recipe to try: Walnut balls with dates, brown sugar, and chia seeds.

#2 Antioxidants

Antioxidants reduce the inflammation and pain of arthritis and help strengthen your immune system. Foods rich in antioxidants are broccoli, pineapple, oranges, grapefruit, strawberry, kale, cherries, and spinach.

Arthritis patients are advised to consume 4 to 5 servings of colourful vegetables and 2 to 3 servings of vitamin-rich fruits a day.

Recipes to try: colourful fruit salads, cabbage salad, spinach moong dal soup, palak matar paneer sabzi, capsicum curry, vegetables and orange juice.

#3 Whole grains

An important cause of osteoarthritis is obesity. Whole grains are rich in high fibre; high-fibre foods help maintain body weight by absorbing unwanted fatty acids in the body.

Include buckwheat, barley, bajra, and oats in your diet to strengthen your bones and add more iron and fibre. Try to add one portion of whole grain to your all 3 major meals.

Recipes to try: Oats porridge, moong dal sabzi, jowar porridge, jowar dosa, multigrain chapatis, brown rice, and wheat dosas.

#4 Sulphur-rich foods

The sulphoraphane class of compounds reduces the inflammation of joints. Adding sulphur-rich foods like broccoli, cauliflower, cabbage, Brussels sprouts in your food as sabzis, salads, or snacks can help manage arthritis.

Recipes to try: Cabbage sabzi, cauliflower roti, cauliflower stir fry, cauliflower sabzi, broccoli stir–fry, avocado onion salad. 

#5 Beans, beans, & beans

Whole beans are excellent sources of fibre, protein and micronutrients like zinc, iron, potassium, and magnesium. Whole beans support the immune system and are especially beneficial in sprouted form. Sprouting increases the nutrient value of the beans.

Recipes to try: Mixed sprouts, sprouts sabzi, sprouts and veggie salad, Punjabi Rajma curry, South Indian sambar, tamarind, sprouts/beans gravy, etc.

What to eat and what to avoid for arthritis?

Doctors recommend a plant-based diet with probiotics to lead a healthy life. Since obesity is a major cause of arthritis, it is important to adhere to a healthy diet plan recommended by a dietician. 

Good for your health foods

Cereals: black gram, black soybean

Herbs: ashwagandha

Organic whole grains: oats, corn, wheat, rice, barley, sorghum, millets, canary seeds, and rye.

Spices: turmeric, ginger

Tea: green tea, basil tea

Dairy: yoghurt

Foods with lower oxidative stress help reduce the stiffness in the joints by lowering inflammatory chemicals released in the immune system.

Bad for your health foods

Fried and processed food, ready to cook instant foods, bakery items, products with white sugar and refined flours, aerated drinks, red meat, alcohol, and Fried eggs. Quitting smoking and alcohol will also help.

Indian meal plan tips for arthritis

1. Include colourful vegetables and fruits in your food.
2. Add more walnuts, flax seeds to the diet. 
3. Use oil rich in omega-3 fatty acids for cooking.
4. Include more sulphur-rich foods in your diet.
5. Avoid coffee and opt for green tea or basil tea.
6. Yoghurt is found to relieve stress and lower the body’s inflammatory response. Try to include it in your everyday meals.
7. Choose whole grains, as they are rich in fibre and minerals. 

One such diet combination is oats/wheat chapati with vegetable kurma, accompanied by sprouts/beans curry and palak raita. One can add freshly crushed flax seeds in Chapati dough or sprinkle over salad/raita.

Arthritis has become a common problem among adults, affecting our daily life and creating problems with movement. Rheumatoid arthritis is unavoidable, whereas osteoarthritis is avoidable. Preventing arthritis is a better idea than trying to manage it once it develops. Following a healthy lifestyle along with exercises will help us keep arthritis at a distance. 

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