Doctor, do I have arthritis?
To answer this question, one needs to understand the meaning of this thing called arthritis. Arthritis in medical terms means a painful swollen joint. So, if you have at least one painful swollen joint then yes, you have arthritis.
But Doctor, am too young to have arthritis!
The fact is arthritis can occur at ANY AGE. There are many different causes and types of arthritis with relation to age and gender.
Can arthritis be cured?
Again, this depends on whether the cause of the particular arthritis is curable or not. Majority are degenerative and not curable, gout is the most common inflammatory arthritis also not curable, the other major category of inflammatory arthritis are autoimmune and also not curable, but septic arthritis is potentially curable if treated early and effectively.
Doctor, will I take these medicines for ever?
To answer this question, one needs to understand the meaning of this thing called arthritis. Arthritis in medical terms means a painful swollen joint. So, if you have at least one painful swollen joint then yes, you have arthritis.
What do I need to eat? avoid eating?
Whereas a healthy diet and lifestyle ought to be a must for EVERYONE, the type of food and drink, and lifestyle, are crucial factors in the initiation and progression of osteoarthritis and gout, but not so with the other forms of arthritis. Obesity is a major risk factor for developing and progression of osteoarthritis of the knee joint, hip joints and hands. Obesity, increased alcohol consumption, consumption of seafood, large quantities of red meat and high fructose corn syrup are associated with increased risk of gouty arthritis. Cigarette smoking is associated with increased risk of developing a severe form of rheumatoid arthritis, and poor response to treatment of the same. Therefore, in these types of arthritis, it is advised a weight loss program and regular physical exercises, cigarette smoking cessation, limited intake of alcohol, limited intake of red meat and sea food,’and limited intake of high energy fruit juices.
Doctor, will I pass my disease to my child?
The answer is no. Although in some forms of osteoarthritis, especially of hands and hips, genetic linkage has been observed, this is complex and does not follow the usual mendelian pattern.
What do I need to eat? avoid eating?
Doctor, can’t I just control it with diet and exercise, or some other concoction, and be healed, why do I have to take so many drugs? e to my child?