| Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a chronic inflammatory | | | | the fingers, hands, and hips at the same time. |
| joint disease (Autoimmune disease) that is | | | | Painful arthritis in some joints can in some cases |
| characterised by daily pain, stiffness and fatigue | | | | mask the symptoms of further damage, such as |
| which, in turn, limits activities of daily living. | | | | spinal cord compression. |
| Rheumatoid arthritis, a crippling disease that affects | | | | Many foods are known to help one's RA, while many |
| approximately 2-3% of the world's population, and | | | | others will actually contribute to the disease or trigger |
| usually starts between the ages of 20-40 years and | | | | the symptoms, there are far to many to list here, |
| is more common in women, affecting them 3 times | | | | however one of the most important foods to cut |
| more often than men. Some forms of the disease | | | | out of your diet, would be white flower, and anything |
| can occur in children. Rheumatoid arthritis affects | | | | made with white flour. |
| about 1 percent of our population and at least two | | | | Rheumatoid Arthritis linked to food allergy & |
| million Americans have definite or classical rheumatoid | | | | intolerance's |
| arthritis. It is a much more devastating illness than | | | | Bad foods for arthritis tend to contain chemicals |
| previously appreciated. | | | | called inflammatory prostaglandins, which can be |
| Rheumatoid arthritis occurs in all races and ethnic | | | | directly responsible for triggering some arthritis |
| groups. Rheumatoid arthritis is an inflammatory illness | | | | conditions. Rheumatoid arthritis in particular is closely |
| that affects the joints and because it is "systemic" | | | | linked to food allergy & intolerance's. Most |
| (affecting the entire body), it can affect other parts | | | | sufferers have been shown to greatly improve when |
| of the body as well. Rheumatoid arthritis treatment | | | | they cut out certain foods or restrict their diet, which |
| includes painkillers and medicines to reduce | | | | eliminates the foods to which they are allergic. |
| inflammation and prevent the disease's progression. | | | | Foods all Arthritics should avoid; |
| Medications include non-steroidal anti-inflammatory | | | | 1.Shellfish |
| drugs (NSAIDs), disease-modifying anti-rheumatic | | | | 2.Fat & all fatty foods |
| drugs (DMARDs), biological response modifiers, and | | | | 3.Fried food |
| corticosteroids. Non-drug treatments include physical | | | | 4.Additives and preservatives |
| therapy; modified exercise programs; devices such as | | | | 5.Mayonnaise |
| canes, special shoes, and splints (rigid supports that | | | | Foods which should be treated with caution; |
| keep a part of the body from moving while it heals); | | | | The foods which cause the most confusion amongst |
| and lifestyle changes--such as balancing activity with | | | | nutritionists and arthritis professionals are those |
| rest, eating a healthy diet, and reducing stress. | | | | referred to as from the 'nightshade family' |
| Medicines that manage your immune system (called | | | | 1.Potatoes (especially when green and sprouting) |
| Immuno-suppressants) can also be used to fight RA. | | | | 2.Tomatoes (especially when green) |
| When you have RA, your immune system is out of | | | | 3.Hot peppers |
| control. | | | | 4.Sweet peppers |
| Patients with these diseases have antibodies in their | | | | 5.Paprika |
| blood which target their own body tissues, where | | | | Good and beneficial foods; |
| they can be associated with inflammation. | | | | 1.Brown rice |
| Commonly affected joints include those in the hands, | | | | 2.Sweet potatoes |
| wrists, feet, ankles, elbows, shoulders, hips, knees | | | | 3.Onions |
| and neck. Rheumatoid arthritis varies from person to | | | | 4.Garlic |
| person, but most cases are chronic, meaning they | | | | 5.Celery |
| never go away. Some people have mild or moderate | | | | 6.Oily fish |
| disease, with flares (periods of worsening symptoms) | | | | This is just a small list of good and bad foods, which |
| and remissions. | | | | are known to influence arthritis. Diet and natural |
| Rheumatoid arthritis is also considered a risk factor | | | | treatments for arthritis are not necessarily the |
| for a condition called osteoporosis in which a portion | | | | fastest remedies. This is because they sometimes |
| of bone loses its blood supply and begins to die. In | | | | have to cure a basic imbalance in the body which |
| RA, multiple joints are usually, but not always, | | | | may take up to a few weeks, however natural |
| affected in a symmetrical pattern (affecting both | | | | practices do actually tackle the underlying contributing |
| sides of the body at the same time, for example | | | | factor of one's RA and not just the symptoms. |
| both hands might be affected). | | | | Some natural arthritis treatment recommend a short |
| Patients should always consult with their doctor | | | | period of fasting for a day or two, even for healthy |
| about the choice of medication. Medicines must be | | | | people. There have been claims that fasting is |
| used carefully and patients should tell their doctors | | | | effective to treat many conditions, arthritis being one |
| about any changes that occur. Patients may not | | | | of them. |
| notice that their rheumatoid arthritis is affecting their | | | | Natural practices could be the answer to one's |
| spinal cord because this disease also causes arthritis in | | | | RA,and shouldn't be discounted. |