Arthritis is a general medical term that refers to more than 100 different diagnoses. According to the Arthritis Foundation, osteoarthritis is the most common type. The general medical diagnosis of arthritis tops the list of the most common causes of disability in America with more than 46 million people suffering from the disease. The diagnosis of arthritis includes rheumatoid arthritis, infectious arthritis, tendinitis, bursitis, lupus and psoriatic arthritis. The range of symptoms that characterize arthritis is varied but usually include inflammation, pain and swelling, often in the joints.
Weight Loss
According to Johns Hopkins Arthritis Center, losing weight has an indirect benefit on your arthritis. No diet will stop or reverse arthritis, but obesity is a risk factor for osteoarthritis and lowering weight may reduce the risk of progression. Work with your physician and a dietitian to determine your ideal body weight and develop a nutritional plan that will help you attain your goal successfully. Remember that you will experience the benefits of weight loss before you get to your goal weight.
Stop Smoking
According to the 2003 research study, "Smoking- Gender Interaction and Risk for Rheumatoid Arthritis," published on the website Arthritis Research and Therapy, smoking increased the risk of developing rheumatoid arthritis in men but didn't increase the risk in women. Researchers found that men who had smoked 20 pack years, meaning they had smoked at least 20 cigarettes a day for 20 years, were 2.3 times more likely to develop rheumatoid arthritis. Smoking has been linked to the production of rheumatoid factor.
Nutrition
According to the University of Maryland Medical Center, researchers have identified substances in foods that will increase the amount of inflammation in the body. This substance, omega--6 fatty acids, increases the activity of COX-2 enzymes which results in more inflammation. Omega-6 fatty acids are found in corn, sunflower, soybean, safflower and cottonseed oils used in cooking and found in many of the popular snack foods, fried foods and spreads. Dietary choices you make have an impact on the amount of pain and swelling you will experience.
Supplements
According to website Arthritis Today, there are a variety of different vitamins and supplements that can be used to help alleviate the symptoms of arthritis. These supplements include vitamins A, C, B6 and E as well as zinc, boron, and bromelain. Other supplements that have been found to have some beneficial effects are black currant seed oil, evening primrose oil, DLPA, glucosamine, chondroitin, manganese, omega-3 fatty acids, pantothenic acid, selenium, DHEA, DMSO, curcumin, devil's claw, cat's claw, ginger, St. John's Wort, turmeric, valerian and stinging nettle. Before adding supplements to your current medical regimen, however, it is very important to discuss your plans with both your rheumatologist and your pharmacist to ensure there are no drug interactions and or other conditions that may be adversely affected.
