Osteoarthritis (OA) is the most common form of arthritis and affects one in 10 Canadians. OA is equally common among women and men, and symptoms usually begin to show between ages 40 and 50.
Signs and symptoms of OA include:
• Joint pain
• Joint stiffness
• Joint tenderness
• Limited range-of-motion
• Crepitus (crackling, grinding noise with movement)
• Joint effusion (swelling)
• Local inflammation
• Bony enlargements and osteophyte formation
Joints commonly affected by OA include:
• End and middle joints of fingers
• Joint at base of thumb
• Hips
• Knees
• Joints at base of big toe
• Neck (cervical spine)
• Low back (lumbar spine)
What can you do to help reduce the symptoms?
There are several lifestyle changes that can be made to keep arthritis-related inflammation to a minimum.
1. Eat well
The OA diet should consist of anti-inflammatory foods like colorful fruits and vegetables, cold-water fish, nuts and seeds. Fresh herbs and spices such as cilantro, parsley, basil and ginger can also help reduce inflammation. Drinking plenty of fresh, clean water is also essential to help keep inflammation down.
It is important that those who suffer from OA avoid pro-inflammatory foods that have been known to increase pain. These foods include:
• White sugar
• Fried foods
• Red meat
• Foods that contain trans fatty acids
Some people with arthritis report a relief from pain when eliminating nightshade vegetables like tomatoes, peppers, potatoes and eggplants. It is believed that solanine, a substance found in nightshade plants, can cause inflammation.
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