Rheumatoid Arthritis is the most common chronic autoimmune disease in our society at present. This disease is characterised by symptoms such as pain and inflammation in bone joints. It's a debilitating condition that effects a high percentage of the worlds population, and it can affect anyone at any age.



All races have an equal chance of suffering from arthritis. For some people it will only effect one part of their body with the most common being the hands, but it can become systemic. This means that for some sufferers it will cause pain over the whole body, and in extreme cases can include internal organs.

The most common treatments for arthritis are non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), coricosteroids, and disease-modifying anti rheumatic drugs (DMARDs). Along with these drugs patients are also advised of lifestyle changes that include changing their diet and exercising.

Other medicines that can be prescribed are immune suppressants. These are used when the patients immune system is no longer in control.

Rheumatoid arthritis is a disease that creates antibodies in the blood which attacks the sufferers own body tissues. This is what causes the pain and inflammation.

The most commonly affected joints are hands, feet, wrists, shoulders, hips, elbows, knees and neck. Once someone is suffering from this disease it will last the rest of their life.

All sufferers should talk to their doctor about possible treatments for their symptoms. And they should regularly update their doctor of any changes in they way they feel.

Diet plays a massive role in the symptoms of arthritis. Many foods will help your symptoms while many will make them worse. Some research will help you discover which are the foods that you eat that are triggering your symptoms.

Many sufferers have been known to eliminate a lot of their symptoms when they change their diet. Some foods contain chemicals called prostaglandins which are known to trigger some symptoms.

Some of the foods that you should avoid if you're suffering from arthritis are...

Alcohol

Foods containing white flour

Tinned foods

Foods containing E numbers and too many preservatives

A diet rich in fresh fruit, vegetables and oily fish will help to ease your symptoms. You are what you eat, and the healthier you eat, the healthier you will become.

Always consult your doctor first before making any changes in your lifestyle that regard a diet and exercise plan. If you feel that your diet is making you feel worse then it's not that difficult to make yourself feel better.