Arthritis can take several forms, but they all can affect you in similar ways. The most common form, osteoarthritis, causes inflammation in your joints that produces stiffness, pain and decreased movement. Rheumatoid arthritis causes the same types of problems, but occurs because of an immune system malfunction that causes your system to attack your joints. Gout, classified as a form of arthritis, occurs sporadically when uric acid crystallizes in your joints. There is no cure for any form of arthritis, but diet and medications, such as nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, often can help.
Stiffness
As inflammation builds in your joints, it can cause the joints to feel stiff. You may find that moving your arms, hands, legs or whatever part of your body is affected most becomes difficult. MayoClinic.com states that this symptom tends to occur in a more pronounced manner when you rise from sleep. As the disease progresses, your affected joints may begin to provide you with less flexible movement than you once had.
Pain
The most common symptom many people experience with all forms of arthritis is pain. Osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis can affect any joint in your body, causing pain even if you do not move that particular joint. Your pain may increase as you try to use those joints. In the case of gout, this form of arthritis most often occurs in your feet, primarily the big toe or the heel. When the uric acid crystallizes, they become sharp and cause intense pain during a gout attack. The main difference between gout and other forms of arthritis is that gout comes and goes. It does not hurt all the time, only during attacks.
Arthritis Diet
The main function of your diet in relation to most forms of arthritis is to decrease pressure on your joints. MayoClinic.com states that losing weight can help to lessen the stress put upon your joints, particularly in the hips and knees. Restricting yourself to a low-calorie diet of 1,200 to 1,600 calories per day can help you lose the weight that can reduce the symptoms of arthritis. Move away from eating high-fat, high-calorie foods and eat more vegetables and fruits. Your physician or nutritionist can recommend a diet specifically to help you lose weight.
Gout Diet
Your body may build up uric acid from the purines you ingest. For most people, the kidneys will expel this excess uric acid. If you have gout, however, it means you eat too many purine-containing foods or that your body cannot process them easily. Drugs.com recommends cutting out such foods as gravy, anchovies, sardines, duck and meat extracts, among other high-purine foods. The organization recommends eating foods such as eggs, rice, pasta, gelatin and breads and other foods to help limit your intake of purines.
