Rheumatoid Arthritis: NHS on common signs and symptoms
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Arthritis can be an uncomfortable and painful condition to live with. Different types of the condition can cause your joints to feel swollen, tender, stiff or inflamed, or lead to muscle weakness and wasting. Although there is no cure, it is thought diet can play a part in managing symptoms.
According to one expert, Doctor Clare Morrison from MedExpress, potassium-rich foods could be key to tackling arthritis.
She explained: “Dietary potassium helps balance excess sodium from salt, reducing fluid retention and aiding the correct utilisation of calcium in the bones and joints.”
This was backed by a study published in The Journal of Pain, which established a link between low potassium levels and rheumatoid arthritis.
“Patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) have been described as having significantly low serum potassium concentrations than that in healthy subjects,” the study says.
As part of the research a group of participants with RA experienced less pain after taking a potassium supplement for 28 days, compared to those who didn’t.
The paper says: “In the potassium group, 43.75 percent of the patients met the criteria of 33 percent lower pain intensity compared with 6.25 percent in the placebo group at day 28.
“Also, 31.25 percent of the patients in the intervention group achieved moderate responses, according to the European Alliance of Associations for Rheumatology criteria.
“The corresponding percentage for patients receiving placebo was 6.25 percent.
“Potassium supplements appeared to decrease pain intensity.”
Also it is possible to buy potassium supplements, Dr Morrison specifically recommended four fruits to add to your diet that could help raise potassium levels.
“Good sources include bananas, melons, oranges and apricots,” she said.
One hundred grams of banana contains 358mg of potassium, whereas the same amount of melon has 267mg.
One hundred grams of oranges has 181mg of potassium and apricot has 259mg.
However, dried apricot is more potassium rich with 100g containing 1,162mg.
Almost nine million people in the UK suffer with osteoarthritis – making it the most common form of the condition.
It mainly affects joints in the hands, knees, spine and hips.
Rheumatoid arthritis is the second most common and occurs when the body’s immune system targets affected joints, causing pain and swelling.
Initially it compromises the smooth cartilage lining of the joint, making movement more difficult and leading to pain and stiffness.
Symptoms of arthritis will depend on the type, but can include:
- Joint pain, tenderness and stiffness
- Inflammation in and around the joints
- Restricted movement of the joints
- Warm red skin over the affected joint
- Weakness and muscle wasting.
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