Easing the pain of arthritis

ARTHRITIS is suffered by millions of people but many of them find relief using complementary treatments. The latest in our ‘focus’ series is a starting point, but sufferers should seek out therapists and visit their local health food shop for more information. And keep your GP informed of your plans.

THERE are more than 200 different types of arthritis, all involving a disorder or inflammation of the joints - the word ‘arthron’ is Greek for joint, and ‘itis’ means inflammation. The three most common forms are osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis and gout.

Osteoarthritis causes swelling, pain and stiffness and sometimes deforms the joints - most commonly the hips, knees, spine and hands. The symptoms are the result of the joint’s ‘shock-absorber’, the cartilage between the bones, becoming rough and worn, allowing the bones to rub together when the joints move. Muscles and ligaments are also weakened, and women are usually more at risk than men.

Rheumatoid arthritis also affects more women than men. Symptoms here are swelling, stiffness and pain in the joints, red shiny skins over the joints, and general stiffness and restriction of movement. This is caused by the tissue, tendons and ligaments of the joint becoming inflamed. Feet and fingers are usually the first to be affected, followed by wrists, ankles, knees, elbows and shoulders.

Gout is caused by crystals of a body waste, uric acid, collecting in the joints.

There are many different causes of arthritis - heredity, injury and stress on the joints play a part, as can bacterial infections, auto-immune disorders, or triggers such as allergies or virus infections.

It’s important to treat the underlying cause, and homeopathy, herbal medicine, acupuncture and aromatherapy are just some of the many treatments that can bring varying degrees of relief, but talk to your doctor before trying them.

Nearly all types of arthritis respond well to dietary changes. For all types of arthritis (except gout), you should eat more:

• Oily fish and shellfish (for their mega-3 fatty acids);
  
  
• Sweet potatoes, broccoli, apricots, carrots, liver (but not if you’re pregnant) - for vitamin A and betacarotene;
  
  
• Citrus fruits, strawberries, kiwi fruits and dark green leafy vegetables - for vitamin C and bioflavonoids;
  
  
• Olive oil, sunflower seeds, unsalted nuts and avocadoes - for vitamin E.
  
  
• Cutting down on red meat, game and coffee can also help reduce inflammation, and it is important to keep joints well hydrated, so drink at least two litres of water every day.