HealthyLife Articles

Tag: joint pain

  • Eating Right With Gout

    SELF-CARE CORNER

    Variety of leaft greens.

    Gout is a type of arthritis. It can develop if a person has high levels of a substance called uric acid in their blood. Uric acid can form sharp crystals in the joints. This can cause severe pain, redness, warmth and swelling. Gout often affects the big toe, but it can affect other joints.

    Sometimes gout doesn’t cause any pain for a while. Then, a person may get severe pain in the affected joint. This is called a gout attack. When a gout attack happens, uric acid levels go up or the crystals in the joint cause irritation. A gout attack is very painful.

    In addition to pain, gout can cause heart problems. People who have gout may be more likely to have heart failure, a heart attack or stroke. Eating certain foods can help keep uric acid levels low. This can help a person prevent gout attacks.

    What to eat with gout

    If you have gout, you may want to eat more of the following foods:

    *  Leafy green vegetables

    *  Other green vegetables like green beans and peas

    *  Legumes like beans and lentils

    *  Tofu

    *  Low-fat or fat-free milk and dairy products

    *  Whole grain breads and cereals

    *  Vegetable oils like olive oil

    *  Coffee (if you already drink it)

    *  Citrus fruits like grapefruit and oranges

    *  Pineapple

    *  Strawberries

    *  Cherries

    In addition, drink at least eight glasses of water a day.

    Skip these foods & drinks

    Certain foods and beverages can trigger gout attacks. Avoid the following:

    *  Beer (alcoholic and  non-alcoholic)

    *  Alcoholic drinks

    *  Soda, fruit juice, and foods with high-fructose corn syrup

    *  Organ meats like liver and sweetbreads

    *  Cold water fish like tuna, salmon and trout

    *  Shellfish like mussels, scallops, squid, shrimp, oysters, crab and lobster

    Eating a healthy diet is a great way to manage gout and help avoid attacks. It also helps to get regular exercise. Be sure to see your doctor as recommended. Your doctor may prescribe gout medication if needed and will discuss your heart disease risk.

    Sources: American Heart Association, Arthritis Foundation

    © American Institute for Preventive Medicine

  • The Aches Of Arthritis

    SELF-CARE CORNER

    Image of older women holding hand in pain.

    Feeling pain and stiffness in your joints? Wonder if it’s because you’re aging? Many people experience joint pain when they’re 45 to 50. It’s generally from arthritis-one of the most common diseases. “Arthr” means joint, and “itis” means inflammation.

    There are more than 100 types of arthritis. The most common is osteoarthritis (wear and tear on joints in the fingers, knees, and hips). And, yes, osteoarthritis can develop years after an injury to a joint.

    Rheumatoid arthritis can affect your whole body. It arises when your immune system mistakenly attacks your own joints bringing pain, swelling, stiffness, and loss of function.

    Arthritis can damage not only your joints but also internal organs and skin. Talk with your doctor about what you can do. Here are some ideas from the NIH News in Health:

    *  Try to stay at a healthy weight that’s normal for your height.

    *  Exercise. A trained health professional can show you how to move more easily if you have arthritis. Going for a walk every day will help, too.

    *  If you had a severe joint injury to a joint, protect it from getting injuried again.

    *  Don’t smoke. People who smoke are more likely to get rheumatoid arthritis, and their symptoms tend to be worse.

    *  Take your medicines when and how you are supposed to. They can help reduce pain and stiffness.

    *  Try taking a warm shower in the morning.

    © American Institute for Preventive Medicine