It is difficult to watch the ones you love struggle to perform daily tasks they used to do quickly.
However, while arthritis is not curable, there are many options for improving quality of life. There are over 100 variants of arthritis, including osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, gout, lupus, scleroderma, and ankylosing spondylitis. Arthritis is any condition which causes swelling of one or more joints, causing stiffness and pain. Often the conditions worsen with age but are not specifically age-related.
The most common and well-known types of arthritis are osteo and rheumatoid. Osteoarthritis involves damage to the cartilage on a joint. As the cartilage wears down, the bones end up grinding against one another causing pain and restricted movement.
Rheumatoid Arthritis is an auto-immune condition which is an attack by the body’s immune system on the linings of the joint capsule (a membrane that encloses all the joint parts). It initially causes inflammation but eventually can destroy cartilage and bone within the joints. About 75% of rheumatoid arthritis sufferers are women.
Red meat, sugar, alcohol, fat, salt, caffeine, dairy, and nightshade plants (tomatoes, potatoes and peppers) can worsen the condition. Early clinical trials have shown that a low-fat plant-based diet has improved the condition after just a month. High fiber diets can lower the risk for knee osteoarthritis.
