Understanding the different types of arthritis
When you think of arthritis, you probably picture joints that start aching as you get older and worsen thanks to excess weight or lack of physical activity – or too much high-impact activity. However that only covers osteoarthritis, the most common form. There are actually quite a few types.
The term arthritis refers to inflammation of the joints, and encompasses more than 100 different medical conditions, most of which are characterised by pain, inflammation and stiffness.
For some people, these symptoms and the associated joint damage can have significant impact on mobility and quality of life. The most important forms of arthritis to be aware of are osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis and gout.
The two most common forms of arthritis—osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis—can cause similar aches and pains, but there are a few key differences between them. Let us explain…
Osteoarthritis
The most common form of arthritis, osteoarthritis is a condition in which the cartilage that lines the joints becomes damaged, causing pain, stiffness and inflammation. The symptoms may be worse in the morning or after resting.
Osteoarthritis commonly affects the knees, hips and hands, but can also occur in other joints. It’s sometimes referred to as a “wear and tear” disease, as it may occur in joints that have been subjected to previous injuries, carries heavy loads (for example through being overweight or repeatedly carrying heavy items), or been over-used (for example due to occupations that involve kneeling or squatting).
Among others, some nutritional medicines that may assist osteoarthritis symptoms are glucosamine, chondroitin and MSM. Pain-relieving botanicals such as curcumin and rose hips may also be helpful, as may topical applications of capsicum (cayenne).
Related link: read more about combating arthritis with food here.
Rheumatoid arthritis
An autoimmune disease, rheumatoid arthritis is triggered by a dysfunction of the immune system in which they body attacks its own tissues – in this case the linings of the joints.
Unlike some other forms of arthritis, rheumatoid arthritis affects multiple joints at the same time (especially small joints like those of the hands and feet, often affecting the same joints on opposite sides of the body). The joints may be tender, swollen and painful, and sometimes become misshapen.
Research suggests that fish oil aids the management of mild rheumatoid arthritis. As an adjunct to medical treatment, it may help by lowering the intensity of pain, reducing the number of tender joints, and decreasing the amount of time it takes for stiff joints to get going in the morning.
Fish oil may also help sufferers of mild rheumatoid arthritis to cope better with some of the activities of daily life, such as turning taps on and off, bending over to pick things up, and getting in and out of cars. However, the research suggests that to achieve these results, it needs to be taken in high doses over at least three to six months. In order to minimise the number of capsules you take daily, it is recommended that you choose a concentrated or super-strength fish oil product and taking it in doses of 5000 to 6000mg per day. Alternatively, try krill oil, which contains omega-3s in a form that allows them to be more readily absorbed and utilised by the body.
Gout
An extremely painful form of arthritis that tends to develop suddenly, gout often affects the big toe, ankle, knee or foot. It is caused by high blood levels of uric acid (a by-product created during the body’s metabolism of foods containing compounds called purines), which may cause crystals to be deposited in the joints and some other tissues where they cause severe pain, swelling and inflammation.
As well as taking appropriate dietary steps to prevent gout, you might like to try taking celery seeds, which have traditionally been used to relieve the symptoms of gout in western herbal medicine.