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Arthritis is, sadly, a very common and very painful condition. It can make working and even basic living extremely difficult. In order for treatment to prove effective in combating the symptoms and to allow the sufferer to live as normal a life as possible, it is essential to correctly diagnose which type of arthritis the patient has. The two most common types of arthritis, rheumatoid arthritis and osteoarthritis, are very different in character and require completely different methods of diagnosis, as well as very different methods of treatment.

Rheumatoid arthritis is an inflammatory condition that affects as many as one in every hundred people. It is caused by a malfunction in the body's defence systems and nobody has yet been able to discover why this happens. The genes that are responsible for the problem, have been identified - but the exact means by which the trouble occurs remains unknown. The disease is not hereditary, no increased risk has been found if you have a sufferer in your immediate family. In rheumatoid arthritis extra blood flow causes joints to become swollen and painful and in extreme cases can even permanently damage the joint. It is essential to seek medical help to reduce inflammation, as the damage to joints is permanent and irreversible.

Osteoarthritis is a completely different condition, which affects the bones. Unlike rheumatoid arthritis, there appears to be no genetic factor involved with osteoarthritis, although there are several factors that increase the risk of the condition developing. Osteoarthritis is rare in young people, suggesting that in certain cases it is wear on the bones that causes the disease to develop. Overweight people are far more susceptible to the condition, especially with the knee joints, which suggests that excess strain put on a moving joint area will be a major factor in bringing on the condition. Stiff joints are the main symptom of osteoarthritis.

Although these two forms of arthritis account for the vast majority of sufferers, there are in fact over two hundred distinct types, These types affect all sections of the population, young and old alike. Some forms of the condition, such as ankylosing spondylitis, affect more men than women - which is in direct contrast to the two major types, where far more women are affected. Systemic lupus erythematosus, another very uncommon form of arthritis, is found in nine times the number of women than it is in men. One of the most common forms of arthritis, which is usually thought of as a completely different condition, is gout. This extremely painful problem is caused by uric acid and is at least controllable with correct treatment. Sometimes arthritis can be a purely reactive condition brought on by another kind of medical condition. In this case, the symptoms will usually disappear of their own accord, always provided that no permanent damage has occurred.

As arthritis comes in so many diverse forms, it is essential to get a correct diagnosis before attempting to treat the condition. The first port of call is usually the general practitioner, who will often be able to do some basic tests immediately. Usually, however, the patient will need to be sent to a local hospital for blood testing and X rays. In larger medical centres more advanced tests may be available and specialists in the condition may be on hand to advise. Once a correct diagnosis has been completed, there is much that modern medicine can do to relieve the pain of the condition and allow the sufferer to live a normal life, even if the arthritis cannot actually be cured permanently.

Foods to avoid

All the following foods can cause inflammation and arthritic flare ups and should be avoided.

• Milk and other dairy products like butter and cheese
• Margarine
• Flour
• Sugar
• Chocolate
• Caffeinated beverages
• White potatoes
• Red peppers
• Products that contain wheat  and bran
• Salt

Dishes made from these food items can trigger immediate symptoms and should be eliminated from the diet.

Foods you should eat

There are many different foods out there that a person suffering from arthritis can enjoy, and many that will actually help decrease the swelling and the pain. The foods that arthritis sufferers should be eating include:

• Apples: Raw apples are one of the best anti-inflammatory foods available.
• Blackberries
• Kiwi Fruit
• Peaches
• Mangoes
• Cantaloupe
• Strawberries
• Any other fruit high in vitamin C
• Fish
• While red meat can cause inflammation, fish is a very good protein source for people with arthritis, especially fish that have high amounts of Omega 3 fatty acids and vitamin E. 

The best fish to eat are:

• Sardines
• Herring
• Salmon
• Tuna
• Trout
• Vegetables

Vegetables are also an important part of a specialized diet for arthritis sufferers, especially thiose which are high in Vitamin C and Vitamin E. Some highly recommended vegetables include:

• Broccoli
• Cabbage
• Spinach
• Brussels sprouts
• Carrots
• Squash

A balanced diet is also important for the overall health of an arthritis sufferer. Even the smallest amount of foods that can cause inflammation should be avoided.


It is a good idea to see a nutritionist before beginning any specialized diet to make sure you are getting enough of a balanced diet from all the different food groups. Even getting too much of the good foods can cause problems. Remember the goal of this specialized diet is not to lose weight, but to reduce pain and inflammation. A good nutritionist will make sure you are getting enough of the right things that your body needs in order to function properly.


Daily exercise is also extremely important when it comes to treating arthritis pain. Most doctors agree that a person with arthritis need to move around and that pain is found to increase in those who do not remain active. Therefore: diet and exercise is the best way to deal with the pain associated with arthritis.

Written by Dr. Nathan Wei, Clinical Director of the Arthritis and Osteoporosis Center of Maryland,  a board-certified rheumatologist with more than 33 years of experience.

No matter how much pain you're in or what kind of arthritis you have, you'll find the solution in this easy-to-follow kit.

L  • Lavender
     • Licorice Root

     • Lobelia
     • Lovage
M  • Madder
     • Magnolia
     • Maral Root
     • Marsh Cudweed
     • Marshmallow
     • Meadowsweet
     • Melissa (Lemon Balm)
     • Milk Thistle
     • Mugwort
N  • Nettle (Stinging)
O  • Olive Leaf
     • Orthilia Secunda
P  • Peony Root
     • Plantain
     • Purple Marshlock
R  • Red Clover
     • Rhodiola Rosea
     • Rhodiola Quadrifida   
S  • Sage
     • Saw Palmetto
     • Spirulina
     • St. John's Wort
U  • Uva Ursi (Bearberry)
V  • Valerian Root
W • Wild Yam
     • Wormwood
Y  • Yarrow