Dr. Rahul Khanna

Arthritis is a disease in which the joints in your body swell. Inflammation or swelling can be caused due to body's natural response to injury or disease. It can cause discomfort in the form of pain, stiffness as well as difficulty in movement. Major types of arthritis are osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, psoriatic arthritis and gout.

Causes of arthritis

Arthritis is generally caused by a combination of factors. It can happen due to genetic factors in case the disease runs in the family. Sometimes it can be caused due to injuries of the past; it can also be a by-product of your lifestyle. Some of the common causes of arthritis are:

1. Genetic makeup in which arthritis can be a hereditary trait
2. Physically taxing work life or injuries caused in an accident
3. Imbalance in the immunity system
4. Infections in the joint.

Risk Factors associated with arthritis

1. Family history - You can be prone to develop arthritis if it runs in the family. It can occur due to its hereditary trait hence making you more vulnerable to the environmental factors which contribute to developing arthritis.

2. Age - The risk of arthritis can increase with age. Types like osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis and gout are more common in the old age.

3. Gender - Your sex is an important factor as women are more likely to develop rheumatoid arthritis while men are prone to suffer from gout.

4. Joint injury - Joint injury caused due to accidents or due to sports activities can trigger arthritis. People with previous joint injuries can develop arthritis in that joint.

5. Obesity - Excess weight can put a lot of pressure on the joints, on the knees and hips in particular. Hence, obese people have more chances of developing arthritis than fitter people.

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Gout, a form of arthritis that occurs when high uric acid blood levels cause crystals to form around a joint, is partially connected to diet. Uric acid is produced as your body breaks down purines, found in foods such as meat, seafood and alcohol. Most often, the treatment of gout includes dietary restrictions especially proteins. If you have been diagnosed with gout, random, severe restrictions, especially of proteins, is not needed. You need dietary recommendations, but you can have options and a wide variety of food choices.

Alcohol- You need to limit or avoid alcohol, especially beer when you have an inflammation or attack. You should avoid or limit drinks like soft drinks or juice drinks that are sweetened with high-fructose corn syrup, but you can freely drink homemade fruit juices. Coffee is also an option for gout sufferers. Two cups of coffee a day actually reduce the risk of gout and that increasing coffee consumption decreases uric acid levels.

Protein rich foods-

Animal proteins especially crustaceans like crabs , prawns, and organ meats are problematic as they are high in purines. If you avoid these very high purine foods, you may be able to enjoy a serving of chicken, fish or eggs about twice a week.

Plant-based proteins, such as beans and legumes, are excellent options on a gout diet. If you choose these as your primary protein source, not only will you be avoiding the purines in animal proteins, but you will also be eating less saturated fat. Saturated fat decreases your body's ability to get rid of uric acid, so it may increase the risk of gout symptoms. Again, dairy products such as milk, paneer and yogurt are allowable and decrease the risk of inflammation.

Fruits and vegetables -

Most fruits, vegetables, and whole grains are allowed. Avoid excessive intake of spinach, cauliflower, asparagus and mushrooms. Even high-fructose fruits such as apples, peaches and pears can be kept at three times a week. In addition, whole-grain products are better choices than refined carbohydrates like white bread, maida, and biscuits.