Arthritis – is a broad term that refers to a variety of disorders that affect the joints. Certain fruits, according to the Physicians Committee, can be “pain triggers” for arthritis.
Arthritis symptoms refers to more than 100 conditions characterised by swelling and tenderness of one or more of your joints. The symptoms can be highly debilitating; making even simple tasks hard to perform. Although there is no cure for arthritis, modifying aspects of your lifestyle can curb some of the more severe symptoms.
According to the Physicians Committee, a US-based nonprofit organisation of more than 17,000 doctors, certain fruits can be “common pain triggers” for arthritis.
These include:
- Citrus Fruits
- Apples
- Bananas.
It is worth noting that other types of fruit have been shown to alleviate arthritis symptoms.
According to the Arthritis Foundation (AF), studies show that eating watermelon reduces the inflammatory marker CRP.
CRP, also known as C-reactive protein, is a marker of systemic inflammation in rheumatoid arthritis, a common form of inflammatory arthritis.
“Watermelon is also 92 percent water, which makes it great for hydration and weight management,” notes the AF.
Why it’s important to lose weight if you have arthritis
Maintaining a healthy weight is crucial to keeping a host of health problems at bay but it also provides direct benefits for arthritis.
The NHS explains: “If you’re overweight, losing weight can really help you cope with arthritis.
“Too much weight places excess pressure on the joints in your hips, knees, ankles and feet, leading to increased pain and mobility problems.”
Other key lifestyle tips for managing arthritis
In addition to moderating your diet, exercising regularly can help to reduce the impact of arthritis.
Exercise may seem off-putting, but staying as active as possible can reduce your pain and the symptoms of your condition.
According to the health body Versus Arthritis (VA), as well as reducing your pain, exercise can:
- Improve your muscle strength which keeps your joints strong and well-supported
- Reduce stiffness in your joints
- Help your balance
- Improve energy levels and feelings of tiredness
- Help you manage your weight
- Boost your mood.
“It’s important to start off slowly and gradually build up, as if you start too fast you might find the activity painful and be put off,” advises the VA.
To build up your activity, the healthy body says to gradually increase the following:
- Frequency – how often you do it
- Duration – the length of time you spend exercising
- Intensity – how hard you try.
- “If you have any concerns or worries, a healthcare professional, personal trainer or fitness instructor may be able to help,” it adds.
Arthritis – symptoms to spot
The symptoms of arthritis you experience will vary depending on the type you have.
Although, as the NHS points out, common symptoms include:
- Joint pain, tenderness and stiffness
- Inflammation in and around the joints
- Restricted movement of the joints
- Warm red skin over the affected joint
- Weakness and muscle wasting.
When to see your doctor
The AF explains: “When pain doesn’t subside on its own after a day or two, interferes with everyday activities or steadily gets worse, it is time to see a doctor.”
It adds: “To determine if joint pain and other symptoms are caused by arthritis or a related condition, your doctor will gather information.”
What causes arthritis?
Cartilage is a firm but flexible connective tissue in your joints. It protects the joints by absorbing the pressure and shock created when you move and put stress on them. A reduction in the normal amount of this cartilage tissue cause some forms of arthritis.
Normal wear and tear causes OA, one of the most common forms of arthritis. An infection or injury to the joints can exacerbate this natural breakdown of cartilage tissue. Your risk of developing OA may be higher if you have a family history of the disease.
Another common form of arthritis, RA, is an autoimmune disorder. It occurs when your body’s immune system attacks the tissues of the body. These attacks affect the synovium, a soft tissue in your joints that produces a fluid that nourishes the cartilage and lubricates the joints.
RA is a disease of the synovium that will invade and destroy a joint. It can eventually lead to the destruction of both bone and cartilage inside the joint.
The exact cause of the immune system’s attacks is unknown. But scientists have discovered genetic markers that increase your risk of developing RA fivefold.
How is arthritis diagnosed?
Seeing your primary care physician is a good first step if you’re unsure who to see for an arthritis diagnosis. They will perform a physical exam to check for fluid around the joints, warm or red joints, and limited range of motion in the joints. Your doctor can refer you to a specialist if needed.
If you’re experiencing severe symptoms, you may choose to schedule an appointment with a rheumatologist first. This may lead to a faster diagnosis and treatment.
Extracting and analyzing inflammation levels in your blood and joint fluids can help your doctor determine what kind of arthritis you have. Blood tests that check for specific types of antibodies like anti-CCP (anti-cyclic citrullinated peptide), RF (rheumatoid factor), and ANA (antinuclear antibody) are also common diagnostic tests.
Doctors commonly use imaging scans such as X-ray, MRI, and CT scans to produce an image of your bones and cartilage. This is so they can rule out other causes of your symptoms, such as bone spurs.
What lifestyle changes can help people with arthritis?
Weight loss and maintaining a healthy weight reduce the risk of developing OA and can reduce symptoms if you already have it.
Eating a healthy diet is important for weight loss. Choosing a diet with lots of antioxidants, such as fresh fruits, vegetables, and herbs, can help reduce inflammation. Other inflammation-reducing foods include fish and nuts.
Foods to minimize or avoid if you have arthritis include fried foods, processed foods, dairy products, and high intakes of meat.
Some research also suggests that gluten antibodies may be present in people with RA. A gluten-free diet may improve symptoms and disease progression. A 2015 study also recommends a gluten-free diet for all people who receive a diagnosis of undifferentiated connective tissue disease.
Regular exercise will keep your joints flexible. Swimming is often a good form of exercise for people with arthritis because it doesn’t put pressure on your joints the way running and walking do. Staying active is important, but you should also be sure to rest when you need to and avoid overexerting yourself.
At-home exercises you can try include:
- the head tilt, neck rotation, and other exercises to relieve pain in your neck
- finger bends and thumb bends to ease pain in your hands
- leg raises, hamstring stretches, and other easy exercises for knee arthritis
What is the long-term outlook for people with arthritis?
While there’s no cure for arthritis, the right treatment can greatly reduce your symptoms.
In addition to the treatments your doctor recommends, you can make a number of lifestyle changes that may help you manage your arthritis.
