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Rheumatoid Arthritis

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is the second most common type of arthritis found in adults. It usually affects women between the ages of 25 and 50, however there is a juvenile form that can affect children. The first joints to be affected are usually the fingers and toes. Other susceptible joints are the wrists, ankles, knees and spine. Unlike Osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis often affects most joints symmetrically (on both sides of the body). The affected joints become red and swollen, causing stiffness and reduced function. Over time the joints degrade, resulting in pain and further inflammation.

What causes RA?
The cause of rheumatoid arthritis is unknown but heredity does seem to play a role. It is an autoimmune condition, in which the body attacks its own joint tissues. This causes joint damage and erosion over time. Symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis come and go. The amount of joint destruction is variable and joint pain can move around the body. Attacks can be triggered by viral infections, food sensitivities, or stress. For more information, please see our Autoimmune Disease article.

Signs and Symptoms
The most prevalent symptom of RA is joint pain and stiffness, which is often accompanied by redness and swelling of the affected joints. Over time, the joints can become deformed due to the inflammatory processes, causing knobby protrusions that can actually alter the direction and function of the joint. Along with joint pain, stiffness and swelling, many people with RA will also experience fatigue, low-grade fever, poor appetite and weight loss. Symmetrical joints are usually affected on both sides of the body. So, if one hand is affected, the other usually is as well. There are several variations of this disease in which other organs can become involved, such as the heart, lungs and eyes. Many people with RA will have blood work that is positive for rheumatoid factor (RF), and has high C-Reactive Protein (CRP) levels.

Food Sensitivities
Avoid consuming any foods that you are sensitive to. It is estimated that at least 10 percent of arthritis sufferers are sensitive to the nightshade family (green peppers, eggplant, potatoes and tomatoes). They contain a substance called solanine that interferes with the muscle's enzyme system, causing pain. Other common food sensitivities are diary, wheat/gluten, corn, and soy. A digestive enzyme can be supplemented to ensure that food is broken down properly in the gut, although this won't always solve the problem.

Diet
There are a number of different dietary approaches to RA. Most people's diets cause their tissues to be acidic. In order to buffer the acid in the tissues, essential minerals are stripped from the body, including those in the joints. An Alkaline Diet will help to prevent worsening of symptoms and maintain a proper mineral balance in the joints. See the Acid/Alkali Balance article for more information. In addition to an alkaline diet the following foods can be increased to help reduce symptoms of RA: pineapple, ginger, turmeric, sulphur containing foods such as eggs, garlic and onions, fibre such as flax seeds and ocean fish for their essential fatty acids. All of these foods contain substances that can help to reduce inflammation in the body. Iron from supplemental sources may aggravate arthritis, see our Iron article for dietary sources. Fluoride in drinking water disrupts collagen and can contribute to arthritis. Drinking plenty of filtered water can help to flush toxins out of the water and promote healthy joint fluid.

Topical Treatments for RA
Topically, juniper or St. John's Wort oil can be rubbed into the joints to help reduce pain and relieve stiffness. Topical application of MSM has also been shown to help relieve arthritis pain. Joint creams and tablets with homeopathic remedies like rhus-t, arnica, and sulphur may also be helpful. Hydrotherapy with hot compresses or baths can also provide symptomatic relief. Alternating hot and cold treatments can help to bring down swelling and clear away some of the toxic build-up.

Supplements for Reducing RA
Adding Fish Oil is a great way to help reduce inflammation in the body and provide essential fatty acids for joint repair. Curcumin, Bromelain, and Boswelia can all help to reduce the underlying inflammation that is triggering joint degredation. Devil's Claw is particularly successful at reducing inflammation in degenerative conditions. Glucosamine and Chondroitin work well together to help provide the body with the building blocks required for joint repair. Vitamin C, and Collagen can also provide essential building blocks for repair. There are a number of combination products that provide several of the above recommendations into a single product to help make supplementing easy.

Reducing Joint Pain Naturally
Most people over age 35 have at least some wear and tear in their joints, but that doesn't mean it should cramp your style.

Osteoarthritis is the most common type of arthritis. It usually has a gradual onset and begins after the age of forty. The knees, hips, fingers and vertebrae are most susceptible. The joint deterioration is due to faulty or deficient repair of bone and cartilage in the joint. The standard North American diet is deficient in the minerals necessary for proper joint repair; therefore it is not surprising that osteoarthritis is a common concern. Osteoarthritis causes stiffness and joint pain on motion.

It is typically worse in the morning. Initially there is no inflammation or swelling of the joint. As the damage progresses the joint may become inflamed and deformed. Muscles around the joint can tense up, joint mobility may decrease and there may be a grating feeling on movement. The pain becomes constant and occurs even when at rest.

Drug Treatments Actually Worsen Arthritis
Conventional treatment with non-steroidal anti-inflammatory medications has been shown to worsen arthritis. Side effects of some drugs are gastrointestinal bleeding, stomach ulcers, heart attacks and liver problems. Some of these medications, especially the NSAID group can actually accelerate the degradation of joint tissue. Corticosteroids like cortisone and prednisone sometimes recommended for arthritis, while effective at relieving discomfort in the short term, can cause a loss of bone mass.