Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a chronic, systemic inflammatory disease that primarily attacks peripheral joints and surrounding muscles, tendons, ligaments and blood vessels. RA strikes women three times more often than men. Although it can occur at any age, the peak onset for women occurs between the ages of 30 and 60 years.

CAUSES

The exact cause of RA is not known but there are various theories that point to its infectious.

The current theory believes that, rheumatoid arthritis occurs when, the body’s immune system attacks its own tissues, including joints and in severe cases it attacks internal organs. When the joints lining is affected they result to a painful swelling and over long periods of time, the inflammation associated with it can cause bone erosion and joint deformity.

Symptoms of Rheumatoid Arthritis.

RA usually develops insidiously and initially produces nonspecific symptoms. These includes

1. Fatigue
2. Malaise
3. Anorexia
4. Persistent low grade fever
5. Weight loss

As the disease progresses more specific localized articular symptoms develop. These includes

1. Stiffness of fingers
2. Sharp pain in wrists, knees, elbows and ankles.
3. Joints become painful, at first only when the patient moves them, but eventually even at rest. They often feel hot to the touch. Ultimately joint function is diminished and if the active diseases continue there is deformity.

To manage Rheumatoid Arthritis

1. Eat raw fruits and vegetables because they reduce inflammation, pain and joint deformation.
2. Eat legumes they provide a high quality protein that reduces joint inflammation.
3. Eat soya because its rich in omega-3 fatty acids that acts as anti-inflammatories
4. Eat nuts like groundnuts, cashew nuts, almonds etc. because they provide polyunsaturated fatty acids that reduce inflammation
5. Eat Whole grains that are rich in omega-3 linolenic acid in addition to vitamin E that halts the progress of RA especially wheat.

NB. Erangi calcium booster  is a balanced porridge that incorporates the above foods

Reduce or eliminate the following foods

• Meat and pork – They have high levels of arachidonic acids that initiate inflammatory process
• Alcoholic beverages – any alcoholic beverage aggravates RA
• Eggs they are rich in arachidonic acid the principal precursor of eicosanoids that act as mediators of the inflammatory process.
• Food additives these may cause allergies which can aggravate the inflammatory reaction

Supportive measures to manage RA

1. The patient should sleep 8 to 10 hours every night
2. The patient should have frequent rest periods during the day
3. The patient should have individualized therapeutic exercise
4.  The patient can apply moist  heat to relax muscles and relieve pain

In the next issue we’ll  discuss Gouty arthritis

Isaac Njiru Njeru

Food Technologist

Mobile No. 0722 561 495

Email

isanjiru@gmail.com or

erangifoodsltd@gmail.com.

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