World Arthritis Day: No Cure, But Food Rich In Proteins And Minerals Helps Control The Condition, Experts Say

World Arthritis Day 2022: According to experts, there is no cure for arthritis, but food rich in proteins and minerals may help control the condition. 

World Arthritis Day 2022: Arthritis means inflammation and tenderness of one or more joints, results in joint pain and stiffness, and describes conditions that affect the joints, tissues around the joint, and other connective tissues. ( Image Source :Getty )

World Arthritis Day 2022: Today is World Arthritis Day. Arthritis means inflammation and tenderness of one or more joints, results in joint pain and stiffness, and describes conditions that affect the joints, tissues around the joint, and other connective tissues. There are more than 160 different types of arthritis which could be drug-induced, autoimmune, or occur due to infections, trauma, crystals, and malignancies. 

No cure, but food rich in proteins and minerals helps control arthritis

According to experts, there is no cure for arthritis, but food rich in proteins and minerals may help control the condition. 

“Arthritis cannot really be prevented. However, becoming aware of this condition helps in controlling it early before any permanent joint damage is done.” Dr. Sumeet Agrawal, Head, Rheumatology & Clinical Immunology, Artemis Hospital, told ABP Live.

People with arthritis should consume food rich in minerals, vitamins and proteins, Dr Agrawal said. 

“There is a misconception that protein should be avoided in arthritis. This is not true. Having good food makes you feel energetic and also helps you fight with the disease better,” he added. 

“There are no preventive strategies that one may take up in autoimmune arthritis, however, age-related degenerative osteoarthritis may be delayed or prevented to a large extent by lifestyle modification, good dietary practices and muscle strength improving exercises,” Dr. Sandeep Surendran, Assistant Professor, Department of Rheumatology, Amrita Hospital, Kochi, told ABP Live.

Vitamin D and omega-3 fatty acids appear to have a favourable effect in patients with autoimmune arthritis, Dr Surendran added. 

“While no studies consistently show clear benefits of food in arthritis treatment, Vitamin D and omega 3 fatty acids seem to have a favourable effect in autoimmune arthritis and may be adopted as healthy lifestyle habits or supplementation for holistic management of the same along with the right medications,” he said.

Different types of arthritis

Arthritis can be divided into four groups based on cause. These are autoimmune arthritis, infection-related arthritis, degenerative arthritis or osteoarthritis, and inflammatory arthritis, Dr Surendran said. 

He explained that autoimmune arthritis includes diseases such as SLE (systemic lupus erythematosus), Rheumatoid arthritis and Sjogren's syndrome. SLE is an autoimmune disease in which the immune system mistakenly attacks healthy tissue. 

Rheumatoid arthritis is an autoimmune disorder which affects the lining of joints, causing a painful swelling that can result in bone erosion and joint deformity. Sjogren's syndrome is an autoimmune disorder characterised by dry eyes and a dry mouth, and occurs with other disorders such as rheumatoid arthritis and lupus. 

Dr Surendran explained that degenerative arthritis or osteoarthritis is a disease of old age that can affect any joint but mainly affects the spine and the knees.

Various kinds of arthritis differ in terms of age at which the disorder affects a person, type and number of joints, whether spine is affected due to it or not, and whether other organs are getting affected, Dr Agrawal said. 

He added that arthritis should never be seen in isolation, and all other complaints that the patient has should also be taken into consideration while arriving at the diagnosis and planning treatment.

Prevalence of arthritis in India

Arthritis is common in India. Most people experience some symptoms of arthritis in old age, Dr Surendran said. 

Younger age groups may also experience some forms of arthritis. One to two out of 100 individuals belonging to younger age groups suffer from arthritis, Dr Surendran added. 

Is arthritis more common among women than men?

People often think that arthritis is more common among women than men. However, this is not true, according to experts. 

“A major misconception regarding arthritis is that all types are more common in women. It is only the autoimmune ones that are seen more in females; it is to be noted that autoimmune diseases generally are more prevalent in young women than in men.” Dr Surendran said. 

“Only some types of arthritis such as Rheumatoid arthritis and arthritis associated with connective tissue disease are more common in women than men,” Dr Agrawal said.

He added that some forms of arthritis are more common in men than in women.

Misconceptions about arthritis

The most common misconception about arthritis is that it is a disease of old age, Dr Agrawal said. Even children aged three to four years can suffer from arthritis, he added.

“The second misconception is that apart from pain, arthritis does no harm and is confined to the joints,” Dr Agrawal said.

He explained that this is incorrect because arthritis can affect other organs of the body, particularly the lungs. The lungs are affected in the case of Rheumatoid Arthritis. 

“Persistent arthritis also makes people prone to develop cardiac diseases,” he further said.

Right kind of exercise for people suffering from arthritis

People with active arthritis should avoid vigorous exercise till the inflammation is tackled, Dr Agrawal said. 

One should exercise to improve stamina, maintain a range of motions in the joints, and strengthen muscles, he added.

“On this world arthritis day, I think it is imperative to understand that arthritis is not a disease, but a symptom. Only when we investigate and find out the root cause of arthritis are we able to institute the correct treatment to alleviate the patient’s pain and suffering,” Dr Surendran said.