Arthritis Bone and Joint Disorders
Osteoarthritis
Osteoarthritis (OA) is the most common form of arthritis and results from degenerative wear and tear of the joint. Occasionally it may be caused by an injury but more commonly with ageing. A joint is where the ends of the bones meet and this is encased within a joint capsule that is full of fluid to lubricate and reduce friction. The ends of the bones inside the joints are covered with cartilage and OA is degeneration of this cartilage. This is a gradual chronic disease and mainly affects the weight bearing joints hips, knees, fingers and spine.
Pain is usually the main symptom of
Osteoarthritis, and is usually worse with exercise and relieved by rest but it ultimately leads to decreased mobility and function.
The onset of OA is gradual and morning stiffness may commonly be the first symptom, which reduces on movement. As OA progresses joint movement is lost and tenderness, deformity and grating of the joint develop. OA of the sine may lead to referred pain down the legs.
What can you do to help?
Diet and Lifestyle
One of the most important factors contributing to OA is being overweight. High body weight places an increased strain on the weight bearing joints putting them more at risk of damage. Also creating more stress and subsequent pain on joints already affected by OA. Therefore it is important that a good diet is followed.
The diet should be high in fruit and vegetables to provide you with essential nutrients and antioxidants. Avoid saturated animal fats and keep your intake of red meat and dairy products to a minimum. Oily fish such as tuna, mackerel and salmon have a positive effect on reducing inflammation. Citrus fruits are acidic and may cause symptoms to be worse therefore it may be worthwhile avoiding grapefruit lemons etc. but eat plenty of the non-citrus fruits and include things like pineapple, papaya and mango.
Plants of the deadly nightshade variety have been associated with an increase of arthritic pain. These foods contain alkaloids, which inhibit collagen repair in the joint and create more inflammation. It may be worth avoiding these, which include tomatoes, potatoes, peppers and aubergines. You should also avoid highly processed foods, white bread and flour, which may contribute to the build up of acid in the body they also contain large quantities of sugar and salt which may make symptoms worse.
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