I read recently of an arthritis sufferer who was advised to eat "nothing from the cow" - which meant no milk, cheese, red meat, because these foods are thought to be possibly inflammatory for people with joint issues. Coupled with exercises like water aerobics, elliptical, core and weight training that was especially designed for her by her instructor at the gym, made a huge difference She lost weight and felt better than she had in many years. She has not eaten red meat since this revelation, and rarely eats cheese. She now drinks soya milk and eats soya yogurt.

As another unexpected bonus, this lady had suffered from migraine headaches and had discovered that botox shots every three to four months would take care of the migraines, but since she adopted her new lifestyle she has not needed a single botox shot.

Food for thought!

I have heard this too and I do know a couple of people who have found this a very definite improvement to their situation with their arthritis. One thing though I am not sure of is why some people get arthritis and why it seems to be almost every old person has this condition. Does anyone know what the cause of this disease is and if there is anything we can do to avoid getting it in the first place?

The term "arthritis" refers to over 100 different conditions that affect the joints, what we call the places where 2 bones meet. Some forms of arthritis can affect other areas of the body, such as the skin the hear or the kidneys. Very often, arthritis is a long-lasting disease, affecting people over many years. Symptoms most often include pain, stiffness, swelling, redness, and heat in the joints.

Although the disease process in arthritis differs from person to person and from disease to disease, all types of arthritis have certain features in common, which sometimes makes them difficult to accurately diagnose. Regardless of the type of arthritis, it is important to diagnose early so that the right treatment can be started.

The 2 most common forms of arthritis are rheumatoid arthritis and
osteoarthritis.

Yes I know something about Osteoarthritis as we have quite a lot of sufferers in my family.

Osteoarthritis (OA), is apparentlyalso known as degenerative arthritis or degenerative joint disease, is the most common type of arthritis, affecting 1 in 10 Canadians. Although it is quite possible for this to develop at any age, it usually develops after the age of 45, affecting both men and women equally. Cartilage deterioration in one or more joint is responsible for OA, leading to joint damage, pain, and stiffness. OA usually affects the knees, hands, feet, spine, and hips.

On the other hand, Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) affects approximately 1% of Canadians and it usually strikes between the ages of 25 and 50. Women are at least two times more likely than men to get RA. RA is progressive, which means that it worsens over time. Symptoms, which include stiffness, swelling, pain and joint damage, are a result of the inflammation of the joints in the body. It can also affect other areas of the body, including the heart, eyes, and lungs. RA is called an autoimmune disease because it is the body's own immune system that is fighting itself. RA can cause severe disability in some people, but it can be managed through medications and other treatments.

Yes and there are another couple of types of arthritis that are not so well known.

Psoriatic arthritis usually occurs between the ages of 20 and 50. Men and women are equally likely to get psoriatic arthritis. This type of arthritis usually starts out as psoriasis, a skin condition that produces grey scales. The fingernails may also be affected and damaged. The joints most often affected include the knees, ankles, wrists, fingers, and toes. The spine and the joints between the spine and hips may also be affected.

Infectious arthritis is another form of this condition and it affects both men and women, and can occur at any age, causing joint swelling and pain. A germ such as a bacterium, a virus, or a fungus causes infectious arthritis by getting into a joint, usually into the large joints such as shoulders, hips, and knees, where it sets up inflammation. Infectious arthritis may also affect smaller joints of the fingers and ankles. Usually, if treated early, the symptoms are not long-lasting, which is the upside, I suppose!