RHEUMATISM OR ARTHRITIS? AGE OR GENES? (Ch.1)

6 min read6 days ago

RHEUMATISM (RA, for Rheumatoid Arthritis), is not a medical condition. It is commonly used to describe any deep tissue muscle pain or temporary aches in the joints, tendons, ligaments, or bones — which may be confused with arthritis. They are common and impact the health of a vast population worldwide.

The immune system makes antibodies to attack bacteria and viruses and ward off infection. In this case, the immune system attacks healthy body tissue, for reasons unknown to science. RA usually attacks the small joints in the hands and feet, which may simultaneously affect the same joints on both sides of the body. It tends to cause morning stiffness that can last an hour or more only. RA may start quite slowly and then gradually get worse affecting other surrounding tissues, including organs. As the disease progresses, symptoms often spread to the wrists, knees, ankles, elbows, hips, and shoulders. RA can show up at any age, although it typically begins between ages 30 and 50. According to the American College of Rheumatology, about 75% of those affected are women.

ARTHRITIS (OA, for Osteoarthritis), on the other hand, literally means joint inflammation. It describes any disorder that specifically affects the joints — its most common type is OA. It attacks the joints most frequently in use, the hands, spine, and weight-bearing hips and knees.

This is caused by the wear and tear of aging or injuries. Certain genes increase the risk of developing OA. The progressive wearing down of the cartilage that is present between the bones of a joint causes the bones to come in contact with one other and painfully rub against each other during the movement of the joint. This results in severe pain with loss of movement and function. Stage 4 is the highest stage of severity. Pain, stiffness, and swelling are severe and constant, limiting mobility and impairing the quality of life. OA affects more than 50 million adults in the US and is the nation’s most common cause of disability.

It is commonly believed that RA can go into remission if everything is carefully done to reduce its occurrence. There is no known cure for OA or RA. They are chronic conditions. However proper early treatment can prevent joint damage, and natural remedies alongside the medical treatment can alleviate the symptoms.

Like many autoimmune diseases, RA and OA tend to cluster in families and may be hereditary. Although certain genes increase the risk of developing it, other risk factors or causes accelerate their onslaught.

TESTS

· Using low levels of radiation to visualize bone, X-rays can show cartilage loss, bone damage, and bone spurs. X-rays may not reveal early arthritic damage, but they are often used to track the progression of the disease.

· Computerized tomography (CT).

TYPES OF OA

· Gout: a form of inflammatory arthritis characterized by recurrent attacks of pain in a red, tender, hot, and swollen joint, caused by the deposition of needle-like crystals of uric acid known as monosodium urate crystals. Pain typically comes on rapidly, reaching a maximal intensity in less than 12 hours.

· Psoriatic arthritis: a chronic skin and nail disease.

· Rheumatic Fever: is an inflammatory disease that may affect the heart, joints, skin, and brain. The disease typically develops two to four weeks after a streptococcal throat infection.

· Lupus: This attack causes inflammation and in some cases permanent tissue damage, which can be widespread — affecting the skin, joints, heart, lungs, kidneys, circulating blood cells, and brain.

· Ankylosing Spondylitis: is a type of arthritis characterized by long-term inflammation in the vertebrae, typically where the spine joins the pelvis. With AS, eye and bowel problems — as well as back pain — may occur. Joint mobility in the affected areas sometimes worsens over time.

· Fibromyalgia: it causes chronic widespread pain, accompanied by fatigue, waking unrefreshed, and cognitive symptoms. Other symptoms can include headaches, lower abdominal pain or cramps, and depression. People with fibromyalgia can also experience insomnia and general hypersensitivity.

· Reactive arthritis: known as Reiter’s syndrome, is a form of inflammatory arthritis that develops in response to an infection in another part of the body. Coming into contact with bacteria and developing an infection can trigger the disease.

· Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis (JIA): formerly known as Juvenile Rheumatoid Arthritis, is the most common chronic rheumatic disease of childhood that first appears before the age of 16, affecting approximately 3.8 to 400 out of 100,000 children.

PSYCHOSOMATIC: MIND OVER MATTER

Never underestimate the power of the mind and its thoughts. Mindfulness is pivotal to good health. Anxiety and stress lead to depression, and they are common in patients with RA and OA.

The good news is that there are effective medical and natural treatments both for arthritis and for alleviating this state of mind.

Although pain may appear to come from the joints, it is also the expression of one’s state of mind and circumstances. Stress certainly worsens autoimmune inflammatory arthritis. In such conditions, it throws the immune system out of balance, immediately attacking weaknesses in the joints, spine, surrounding tissues, and other internal organs. Persistent pain and stiffness may be a sign of a more serious problem and require prompt medical attention.

The common ongoing physical symptoms of fatigue (CFS), pain, and irregular sleep patterns cause distress, affecting one’s general mood. Exactly why higher pain severity is associated with stress, anxiety, and depression is not clear. It is certainly a two-way street. Pain also incites depression.

DIET

Avoid, or limit to a minimum:

· Salt.

· Sugar, and “invisible” sugars in processed foods.

· Canned foods, containing chemical preservatives.

· Packaged meals.

· Processed meats.

· Refined carbohydrates.

· Advanced Glycation End products.

· Tobacco and “recreational” drugs.

· Alcohol.

· Fast fried foods.

Intensify your intake of:

· Fish.

· All colors of vegetables.

· All colors of fruits, particularly the citrus range, rich in Vitamin-C: pineapple, oranges, etc.

· Onions, garlic, fresh herbs like coriander, mint, oregano, etc.

· Teas and infusions.

· Ginger, jalapenos, chilis.

· Spices like turmeric, curry, cumin, etc.

Seriously consider:

Keep your body hydrated. It is indispensable with OA. Hydration is key for flushing out toxins which reduces inflammation. Well-hydrated cartilages reduce the rate of friction between the bones, making movement less painful.

· Lots of water.

· Vegetable, and fruit smoothies.

· Fresh Greek Yoghurt, or with peanut butter and honey.

· Milk with dark chocolate, avocado, oatmeal, or any fruit.

· Fresh fruit juices. (Though eating fruits is far healthier).

· Coffee, which has antioxidant polyphenols.

NOTE

Please ensure that you continue reading my article that offers treatment, and natural health alternatives for RA and OA. They include Ayurvedic and TCM holistic therapies which I explicitly advocate. They are slow to take their effect but offer long-term relief. It is always advisable to renew these treatments once a year to sustain a balanced health.

RHEUMATISM OR ARTHRITIS? AGE OR GENES? (Ch.2)