Arthritis takes the form of more than 100 related conditions, according to Harvard Health Publication, and causes crippling disability for over 46 million Americans. Some people find they are sensitive to certain foods, which may trigger pain in the small joints of the hands and elsewhere in the body. Avoiding these triggers may reduce your pain levels and allow you more mobility in your joints. Speak to your health practitioner before using medicinal foods to treat serious diseases.
Alcohol
Drinking alcoholic beverages may trigger painful bouts of gout in the hands and feet for those who are prone, notes the University of Washington Orthopedics and Sports Medicine Department. Compounds in the alcohol may result in the increase of uric acid in the bloodstream, the precursor of gout attacks. If you notice your hand pain worsening after drinking even one glass of alcohol, beer or wine, eliminate it from your diet to see if you experience a significant change in your symptoms.
Animal Proteins and Fats
Foods high in proteins and fats from animal sources are broken down into purines through digestion. These compounds eventually become part of the gout syndrome, causing acidosis and the production of uric acid in the bloodstream. Avoiding certain foods may lessen your symptoms and reduce arthritis and gout pain in the hands. All red meats, organ meats, shellfish and high-fat dairy products are suspect. Certain vegetables and legumes are also high in purines and may bother some people. Foods to watch out for are spinach, mushrooms, asparagus, lentils and black-eyed peas.
Nightshade Vegetables
Although little scientific research has been done, some people notice an increase in joint pain after eating vegetables from the nightshade family. Symptoms can range from aching to stiffness, red joints, swelling and severe pain. Eliminate all nightshade vegetables from your diet to find out if they produce pain and other arthritic symptoms in your hands or elsewhere in your body. The culprits are tomatoes and all tomato products; white potatoes; eggplants; all peppers, including black peppers; and all tobacco products. Consult your doctor if you need to give up smoking. He may be able to provide you with specially formulated medicines to help relieve the urging for cigarettes.
Wheat and Gluten
According to the University of Washington Orthopedics and Sports Medicine, wheat and wheat gluten may be contributing to the arthritic pain in your hands. Many people are sensitive to the effects of wheat and gluten, experiencing a wide range of symptoms. One form of arthritis known as sprue produces inflammation in the joints and throughout the digestive tract, focusing on the bowels. Symptoms range from pain in the hands and feet as well as the other joints of the body, muscle aches, diarrhea, weight loss and the individual's ability to absorb necessary nutrients from foods. By avoiding wheat products, you may be able to significantly reduce your pain levels. Speak to an allergist or other health practitioner who can help diagnose your condition and set up dietary guidelines.
References
- Hospital for Special Surgery: Eating Right With Arthritis: Arthritis Nutrition FAQs
- University of Washington Orthopedics and Sports Medicine: About Diet and Arthritis
- Harvard Health Publications: Arthritis -- Keeping Your Joints Healthy
- University of Maryland Medical Center: Gout -- Lifestyle Changes
