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Arthritis is a disease in which joints of a person are inflamed, swollen and stiff. It is painful and chronic. It is not just a single disease; it includes a group of disorders that affect a person’s joints and muscles.

Persons having arthritis feel difficulty in movement, bending or using their hands. They feel pain in joints. Pain can sometimes be severe.

There are various forms of arthritis. Most common forms are –

Rheumatoid Arthritis
Osteoarthritis
Infectious Arthritis (Septic Arthritis)
Gout

Rheumatoid arthritis: – Rheumatoid arthritis is a serious and inflammatory type of Arthritis which affects finger joints, hips, knees, feet, wrists, tendons, muscles etc. In this type of arthritis the synovial membrane is attached which causes swelling and pain. If not treated for long time then it can lead to deformity.

People of age group between 40 and 50 are generally affected by this type of arthritis. This form of arthritis is more common in women then men.

 Osteoarthritis: – Osteoarthritis is considered as a degenerative joint ailment resulting from the damage of cartilage and direct rubbing of bones against each other. 

Infectious arthritis (Septic arthritis): – A person acquires this type of arthritis due to infection in the tissues of a joint and the synovial fluid (which nourishes the joint and the cartilage) either by bacteria or by fungi or viruses.

Gout: – When there is excess uric acid in blood stream then uric acid is deposited in spaces between the joints causing inflammation, swelling and pain. Though it occurs most commonly in toes yet it can affect other parts of body like thumb, knee, elbow etc. 
 

Symptoms

1) the patient feels tenderness, sharp pain in joints.

2) The patient might have swelling and inflammation in joints.

3) The patient might have a fever also.

Risk Factors

1) Age factor- Arthritis generally occurs in the older age group.
2) Obesity – Osteoarthritis type of arthritis is associated with obesity.
3) Gender / hormone factor – Arthritis is most common in women than men.
4) Nutrient deficiency.
5) Environment factor – Persons living for a long time in dump and cold climate have chances of acquiring arthritis.
6) Joint injuries.

Author: Surya Narayan Bhattacharya

Rheumatoid Arthritis is a chronic illness that leaves patients suffering from never ending painful conditions and symptoms. According to medical studies and researchers, there is no specific medication that can cure this health condition. Don’t lose heart!

There are several diet options you can depend upon in order to get relief from pain. Here are some diet suggestion coming straight from medical expert to plan a pain-free diet in order to reduce inflammation and pain caused by rheumatoid arthritis:

Tea

Tea has been introduced to the list of healing foods by the experts. Green tea consists of polyphenols, widely known as epigallocatechin – 3 gallate or EGCG. This works towards inhibiting the expression of the interleukin – 8 gene. This gene works for arthritis inflammatory response.

Researchers have also proved that black tea can reduce the pain. Sip in tea and you will be relieved from pain. There are certain special compounds found in tea such as phytoestrogens, flavonoids and fluoride. These are a group of antioxidants that work together for healing pain in the body.

Grapes

Grapes are rich in resveratrol. It is a phyto-estrogen, nonsteronoidal compound. The studies in the past few years have indicated that resveratrol tends to block inflammation of cells. The inflammation of cells is directly associated with arthritis or several other diseases related to joints. Resveratrol is the first major natural compound that has been identified to undertake two major tasks.

The first task is to block the Cox-2 gene from being activated. The second function is to inactivate the enzyme created by that gene. Experts believe that trans-resveratrol can work towards improving aspirin properties to fight diseases related to COX-2 like arthritis. So, snacking on grapes let you get a lot of healing nutrients to the body.

Vegetables

Diet consisting of a major portion of vegetables is said to reduce inflammation in most people. This diet helps in producing prostaglandins and leukotrienes. Continue Reading »