Why diet is key to managing arthritis pain
TEN million people in the UK suffer from arthritis, a common condition which causes pain and swelling in one or more joints in the body. The most common form of arthritis is osteoarthritis, which is caused by wear and tear of the cartilage, or connective tissue, in the hands, hips, knees and spine.
Rheumatoid arthritis is less common but more severe and involves the body’s immune system attacking the joints, leading to a breakdown of bone and cartilage.
For those suffering from arthritis, managing pain is the key to long term happiness and wellbeing, and for many people it’s also important to enable them to undergo further treatment.
Pain is highly personal and each individual’s experience requires a unique approach. There are many different treatments and management options available to control arthritis pain, and most are aimed at controlling symptoms and improving quality of life.
Non-surgical options for managing pain include interventional procedures, medication and lifestyle aspects such as diet and exercise.
If these treatments aren’t enough to reduce the pain, your consultant may suggest surgical treatment such as a joint replacement.
Many people find that taking pain relief is an effective way to manage their pain in a controlled, unobtrusive way, while for long term pain management, many people find that making changes to their lifestyle can help to reduce symptoms and reduce the risk of the arthritis getting worse.
If you are suffering with arthritis and you are overweight, losing weight can really help to bring down pain levels and help you cope with your condition.
Eating a healthy, balanced diet helps to maintain a healthy body weight, which relieves pain by reducing pressure on the joints. It also helps to build and maintain strong bones. A deficiency of calcium, vitamin D, phosphorus, vitamin K, zinc, vitamin C or selenium can be linked to degeneration of bone and joint health, so it’s important to eat a balanced diet which delivers all of these vitamins and minerals.
In combination with a healthy diet, being active can help to maintain a healthy weight. Regular exercise can also help to reduce stiffness and improve your range of movement by boosting flexibility and muscle strength.
The aim of joint injections is short term relief, and they often deliver excellent results for a few months at a time. Many people find that the pain relief from injections is enough to allow a greater range of movement, making other forms of therapy such as exercise and weight loss possible.