9 Everyday Habits That Could Affect Your Chances Of Getting Arthritis

From bustle.com

Most young people don't tend to think much about arthritis. However, like many other areas of our health, the habits we do now have an effect on our chances of getting arthritis later. There are even some things that cause arthritis that you may be doing everyday without realizing. Even though arthritis may not be at the top of your mind now, it's important to pay attention to the little habits you do that can cause issues down the road.
“We’ve all heard the term arthritis and know that it is a very painful condition that we definitely want to avoid," Gregory Mallo, MD, orthopaedic surgeon and co-chief of the Department of Orthopaedics at St. Charles Hospital, tells Bustle. "Arthritis is a ... way of referring to any type of pain in the joint. In reality, there are more than 100 different types of arthritis. In general, arthritis is the loss of the soft cushion on the ends of each bones that makes up a joint. When this spongy cushion, called articular cartilage, wears away, the bone itself becomes exposed along with many painful nerve fibres."
Although some forms of arthritis have a genetic component making some people more prone to developing it, there are some very basic daily life habits that can increase your risk. Here are nine little harmless habits that can make you more likely to get arthritis, according to experts.

Texting
Texting frequently and holding your phone in the exact same position can cause “smartphone thumb." "This leads to wear and tear and pain at the base of our thumb joint," Dr. Darria Long Gillespie tells Bustle. "Try to dictate as much as possible, or change your phone position while you’re holding it."

Wearing Unsupportive Shoes
Wearing high heels and other fashionable shoes may look good, but if they're not supporting your feet, they could be hurting your health. "Narrow, pointy shoes that squish the toes together stretch the stabilizing ligaments of these toes," says Mallo. "Repetitive use of narrow toe-box shoes causes permanent deformity and results in painful bunions. This eventually progresses into destruction of the cartilage, and arthritis especially in the large toe." While wearing certain shoes doesn't guarantee arthritis, switching out the types of shoes you wear is a good idea to keep your feet happy and healthy.

High Impact Exercises

Exercise is of course a healthy habit, but certain forms can accelerate the development of arthritis if someone is not careful. "High-impact activities, like basketball, involve repetitive jumping and result in high forces being transmitted across your ankle, knee, and hip joints," says Mallo. "Also, running on firm surfaces like concrete can dramatically increase your risk of osteoarthritis. Lower impact exercises like swimming, elliptical trainers, or running on grass are preferred." But if you do enjoy more high impact exercises, speak with your doctor about how to decrease the stress it may be causing to your joints.

Hunching Over

"Whether you’re laying in bed with your neck bent to read your Kindle or hunching to look at your laptop, we’re seeing more and more young people come in with neck pain from poor posture of looking at devices," Dr. Darria Long Gillespie tells Bustle. "Make sure to elevate your devices so that you bring them to you. Don’t bend over to bring your eyes to them." And giving your back a nice stretch at different points throughout the day couldn't hurt, either.

Smoking

Smoking can harm more than just your lungs. "According to researchers at the Mayo Clinic, smoking is linked to the development of rheumatoid arthritis, as it is thought to ignite and fuel overactive immune systems in individuals with other autoimmune conditions," says Mallo. Rheumatoid arthritis is an autoimmune disease that affects your joints, and it was also found that drugs used to treat rheumatoid arthritis can be made less effective if someone is a smoker.

Drinking Alcohol

Drinking is OK in moderation, but drinking large quantities of alcoholic beverages can cause an elevation of uric acid and, consequently, gout. "Gout is the accumulation of crystals which affects a person’s joint," says Mallo. "Frequent or persistent gouty attacks cause the release of erosive enzymes into the joint, which damage the soft, spongy articular cartilage. If you suffer from gout, drinking in moderation or avoiding alcohol is an excellent strategy to prevent arthritis."

Driving With The Rear-View Mirror Pointed Too High

Make sure your rear-view mirror is placed accurately to ensure good posture. "To avoid slouching in the car, try adjusting the central rear-view mirror to give you an optimal view when you are seated in the most upright position for your low back," Dr. Kaliq Chang of the Atlantic Spine Centre tells Bustle. "You will be forced to maintain that position during your drive to make sure you still can see behind you."

Prolonged Sitting

"Prolonged sitting puts tremendous pressure on the bones and discs," Dr. David A. Shapiro, DC, CEO tells Bustle. "This pressure causes arthritis. Abnormal posture or spinal structure causes spinal arthritis because the bones wear when spinal structure is not ideal." Your best bet from combatting the physical effects of a desk job? Try some desk exercises, and make sure to get up and walk around at different intervals throughout the day.

Sleeping On Your Back With Too Many Pillows

Sleeping on your back with too many pillows can bend your neck in an unnatural position. "This is very unhealthy to your spine and contributes to arthritis," says Dr. Shapiro. "As your spine gets arthritic, you will find that you’ll become dependent upon that two pillow support and can’t sleep any other way." So try out different sleeping positions, and see if you can reduce your pillows from two to one.
Although these habits may not guarantee an eventual arthritis diagnosis, it's important to know how your habits now may impact your health later.

https://www.bustle.com/p/9-everyday-habits-that-could-affect-your-chances-of-getting-arthritis-8900529

May is Psoriatic Arthritis Action Month

From wacotrib.com

PORTLAND, Ore., April 26, 2018 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- May is
Psoriatic Arthritis Action Month and the National Psoriasis Foundation
(NPF) wants to ensure people living with the disease understand the
best way to live, work and play with PsA.
Affecting as many as 2.4 million Americans, Psoriatic arthritis (PsA)
is a chronic, inflammatory form of arthritis that can cause swelling,
stiffness and pain in and around the joints. Roughly, one in three
people with psoriasis may develop PsA, and studies show that delaying
the treatment of PsA for as little as six months could result in
permanent joint damage.
"Education around how to best manage psoriatic disease is the number
one priority of PsA Action Month," said Randy Beranek, president and
CEO, NPF. "Our goal is to provide people living with psoriatic disease
the resources needed to take steps towards better health outcomes."

NPF has launched a dedicated web page
(www.psoriasis.org/PsA-Action-Month) featuring resources such as a
psoriatic arthritis education booklet, information for managing
chronic pain, and an interactive quiz that helps people identify the
early signs of PsA. Tips and hacks for everyday tasks such as cooking
and exercise are available, and a workplace resource guide to help
patients advocate for themselves and talk with employers and
colleagues about PsA is available from the NPF Patient Navigation
Centre. Videos created from the Psoriatic Arthritis Awareness Project
that feature real patients sharing their experience of living with PsA
will premiere on Tuesday May 15, 2018 at
www.psoriasis.org/the-psa-project.

The second annual issue of PsA Active, a special supplement of the
Psoriasis Advance, that focuses exclusively on psoriatic arthritis
highlights patient stories and a feature about working with a combined
Dermatologist and Rheumatologist care team for treating psoriatic
disease. Become a NPF member today and receive your free copy of PsA
Active!

Ways to Participate in Psoriatic Arthritis Action Month
Go to http://www.psoriasis.org/PsA-Action-Month to access educational
information, resources and to take the interactive quiz on signs of
PsA.
Follow the National Psoriasis Foundation on Facebook, Twitter and
Instagram to connect with the psoriatic disease community and to find
information on managing psoriatic arthritis. Share NPF social posts
and updates with friends using the hashtag #PsAActionMonth
Get Active and meet others living with psoriatic disease! Find a Team
NPF Cycle, Run or Walk event and help raise awareness. Join us in
person or as a virtual participant.
Help advance psoriatic arthritis scientific research by participating
in Citizen Pscientist.
Donate to NPF to help support advancements in psoriatic arthritis
disease research and NPF programs and services.
Advocate! NPF has a strong advocacy and government relations strategy,
but nothing resonates better with lawmakers than hearing from their
own constituents on the challenges and barriers of living with a
chronic disease.
If you believe you may have psoriatic arthritis, consult your health
care provider and a Rheumatologist for a formal diagnosis and get
started on a treatment plan. To answer questions, or for help finding
a specialist in your area, contact the National Psoriasis Foundation
Patient Navigation Centre at:
http://www.psoriasis.org/navigationcenter

Serving its community through more than 50 years of patient support,
advocacy, research funding, and education, the National Psoriasis
Foundation (NPF) is the world's leading non-profit fighting for
individuals with psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis. The NPF mission is
to drive efforts to cure psoriatic disease and dramatically improve
the lives of more than 8 million Americans affected by this chronic
immune-mediated disease. As part of that effort, NPF created its
Patient Navigation Centre to offer personalized assistance to everyone
with psoriasis or psoriatic arthritis. To date, NPF has funded more
than $17 million in research grants and fellowships that help drive
discoveries that may lead to more and better treatments and ultimately
a cure. Learn more atwww.psoriasis.org.

http://www.wacotrib.com/news/ap_nation/may-is-psoriatic-arthritis-action-month/article_ebfb2ce9-98b4-51f5-b251-a85666ac6e7f.html

Baking soda: A safe, easy treatment for arthritis?

From medicalnewstoday.com

Baking soda has been used as a home remedy for generations due to its antacid properties. Yet its benefits run even deeper, and new research may explain why it is an effective aid in the treatment of autoimmune diseases such as arthritis.
Baking soda, also called sodium bicarbonate, is a kitchen staple commonly used as a raising agent for cakes.
That being said, it has also made a name for itself as a home remedy for various conditions. Half a teaspoon of baking soda is often taken to ease heartburn or acid reflux, for example, and this substance is also used to whiten teeth.
In a new study, whose findings are now published in The Journal of Immunology, researchers from the Medical College of Georgia at Augusta University reveal exactly how drinking a solution of baking soda could prime the immune system against inflammatory diseases, such as rheumatoid arthritis.
Paul O'Connor, a renal physiologist at Augusta University, and colleagues tested the effects that drinking a baking soda solution would have, first on rats, and then on humans.
Their experiments tell a complex story about how this salt provides a signal to a special kind of cell called "mesothelial cells," telling them that the body is fine and not under attack, rendering an aggressive immune system unnecessary. Thus, harmful autoimmune responses are averted.

                       How can this kitchen staple change the body's inflammatory response?

Baking soda and mesothelial cells

Mesothelial cells line the internal organs as well as many different cavities in the body. Not only do they prevent organs and other internal tissue from sticking together, they also serve other functions, not all of which have been studied in detail.
In the new study, O'Connor and team tested the effect that a baking soda solution would have first on rats, and then on healthy human participants, and they noted that it influenced an intriguing mechanism.
Baking soda "prompts" the stomach to produce more gastric acid, which allows it to digest food quicker and easier. But, in addition to this, it also seems to tell the mesothelial cells that line the spleen to "take it easy," because there is no threat.
Basically, in O'Connor words, mesothelial cells learn that "[i]t's most likely a hamburger not a bacterial infection." So they, in turn, do not activate the spleen's "army" of macrophages, or white blood cells tasked with clearing up potentially harmful cellular detritus.
"Certainly drinking bicarbonate affects the spleen and we think it's through the mesothelial cells," O'Connor explains.
Mesothelial cells communicate with the organs they line using small projections called microvilli, and the medium through which they send their message is the neurotransmitter acetylcholine.

'From inflammatory to anti-inflammatory'

So what actually happens? The study authors note that those who drank the baking soda solution experienced a shift in the kinds of immune cells activated in the spleen. In fact, pro-inflammatory macrophages (M1) dwindled in number, while the levels of anti-inflammatory cells (M2) rose.
The same kinds of cells are also housed in the blood and kidneys, and baking soda happens to be used in the treatment of chronic kidney disease. This idea prompted the new study's authors to explore the mechanisms through which this substance might help to improve renal function.
"We started thinking, how does baking soda slow progression of kidney disease?" says O'Connor.
At first, the researchers analysed the effects of the baking soda solution on a rat model of kidney disease, and then again on healthy rats, which acted as the control sample.
This is when the researchers noticed that the levels of M1 cells in the kidneys dropped, while those of M2 cells increased.
Both the rats with kidney disease and the healthy rats presented the same development. And it was this shift that flagged up the notion that baking soda could influence the inflammatory response at cellular level.
When the researchers recruited healthy medical students and asked them to drink the baking soda solution, it became apparent the anti-inflammatory effect of this substance happened in the spleen as well as in the blood.

'Safe way to treat inflammatory disease'?

One of the authors' main revelations was the fact that it was the mesothelial cells that mediated the anti-inflammatory signals.
An existing working theory had been that signals were transmitted to the relevant cells through the vagus nerve, a long cranial nerve that communicates with the heart, lungs, and various organs in the abdomen.
But experiments revealed that this idea was incorrect. When the scientists tried cutting off this nerve, this did not affect the behaviour of the mesothelial cells. Instead, it became apparent that these cells had a more direct communication with the organs they lined than previously thought.
O'Connor and his team became aware of this when they noted that moving the spleen affected mesothelial cells that lined it, and the signals modulating the inflammatory response were lost.
"We think the cholinergic (acetylcholine) signals that we know mediate this anti-inflammatory response aren't coming directly from the vagal nerve innervating the spleen, but from the mesothelial cells that form these connections to the spleen," explains O'Connor.
The results begin to provide an answer as to why baking soda can help with autoimmune diseases, including arthritis, and further research into these mechanisms could help to optimize the results obtained through this common compound.
"It's potentially a really safe way to treat inflammatory disease," O'Connor concludes.

https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/321624.php

You Could Be Omega 3 Deficient

From monitor.co.ug

If you get mood swings, have dry flaky hair and skin and brittle nails, it could be that you are lacking fatty acid- Omega 3. The mineral is important to both children and adults and helps in brain development for the unborn child and may protect a mother from going into preterm labour.

Since Omega-3 cannot be produced by our bodies, it is got through food and maybe supplements according to Jamiiru Mpiima, a nutritionist at Victoria University Wellness Centre.
He says, “Unlike the unsaturated fats, Omega-3 fatty acid is an essential fatty acid needed for proper functioning of the body and have an anti-inflammatory effect. The effect helps in warding off several inflammatory diseases such as arthritis, asthma, cancer, heart disease and diabetes.”

Foods such as eggs, soybeans, soursop, chia and sesame seeds, spinach, kale, broccoli, cauliflower, fish, dairy products and olive oil are rich sources of omega 3. 

Omega-3 deficiency will cause symptoms such as dry skin and hair and soft or brittle nails, rough patches of skin, small bumps on the back of upper arms and legs, dandruff, dry eyes.
“Your skin often shows the first symptoms of omega 3 deficiency and not even the moisturising creams will be able to fix the problem. This could be the reason your skin is not even and has rough skin patches,” he says.

You may also develop attention and concentration problems, mood related signs such as irritability such as mood swings, emotional outburst as well as energy and sleep related problems such as fatigue and poor sleep quality.

Health benefits

Many women endure abdominal discomfort and cramps every month caused by strong contractions of the uterus. These are caused by a deficiency of the omega 3 fat and once it is incorporated in the diet, it can help to soothe this menstrual pain.
Mpiima says, “One of the most well-known benefits of omega-3 is the way it positively affects risk factors associated with heart disease. This is because it keeps the arteries clear preventing plaque build-up responsible for hardening and restriction of the arteries.”

Omega-3 fatty acids also protect your body system from inflammation. Once consumed daily, the anti-inflammatory properties in the fatty acid give your body ability to fight disease such as diabetes, arthritis and reduces the risk of rectal and breast cancers.
The fatty acid is important for eye health. Daily intake can prevent common eye ailments such as age- related macular degeneration, dry eye syndrome and glaucoma. Foods such as eggs, soybeans, soursop, chia and sesame seeds, spinach, kale, broccoli, cauliflower, fish, dairy products and olive oil are rich sources of omega 3.

http://www.monitor.co.ug/Magazines/Life/You-could-be-Omega-3-deficient/689856-4492548-reqy87/index.html

Arthritis pain? Try this tropical fruit to reduce symptoms

From express.co.uk

ARTHRITIS causes pain in 57 per cent of sufferers daily. Types such as rheumatoid arthritis symptoms, which include joint pain, inflammation and fatigue, are often treated with painkillers. However, a yellow-fleshed fruit may be a good alternative.

Millions of people battle with the disease every day, according to Arthritis Research UK. The charity recommends dietary changes including more fish, nuts and fruits to help alleviate the symptoms of the condition. One of the finest may be papaya.
Dr Joshua Axe, a clinical nutritionist based in America, called it one of the “best” natural medicines for arthritis, due to the copious amounts of papain contained in the fruit.
“Fruits and vegetables are packed with digestive enzymes and anti-inflammatory compounds,” he said.
“Some of the best include Papaya, which contains papain, and pineapple, which contains bromelain - both help reduce arthritis’ inflammatory symptoms.”
Papain is an anti-inflammatory compound which reduces irritation and stiffness in painful joints, reducing pain symptoms for arthritis sufferers.
A 2011 study by Maha Abdullah at the Universiti Putra Malaysia, in Malaysia, and published in the journal Molecular Nutrition and Food Research said there may be a link between consuming papaya and reduced pain.
“Papaya consumption may exert an anti-inflammatory response and have potential in alleviating inflammatory conditions,” said the scientific paper’s abstract.
The tropical fruit can be purchased from most UK supermarkets including Tesco, Waitrose and Sainsbury’s.
The Arthritis Foundation recommends consuming strawberries, avocados and grapes to reduce the symptoms of arthritis.

https://www.express.co.uk/life-style/health/946710/arthritis-rheumatoid-symptoms-fruit-papaya-benefits

Here’s How to Travel When You Have Arthritis

From healthline.com

Rheumatoid arthritis and other arthritic conditions can make traveling more challenging. But there are ways to make it a little easier.

From spring break to summertime, travel season is upon us. While jet-setting or road-tripping may invoke excitement in many folks, it can also be stressful or painful for people living with conditions such as rheumatoid arthritis (RA).
While the stress and occasional discomfort of traveling can be a burden to people with arthritis, there are things that can be done to make travel (whether for business or pleasure) a little easier and less stressful.

While some tips are obvious — such as taking breaks and standing or stretching when needed — others may surprise even the most frequent flyer.

Planning ahead is key

If you’re traveling by air, get to the airport early. Be prepared for long lines.
This may mean renting a scooter or wheelchair, or traveling while accompanied by a cane.
If you have mobility issues or physical limitations from your RA, you may want to inquire about boarding the airplane earlier so that you have more time to get situated.
You may even request a flight attendant help you with your carry-on bags.

Some airlines offer seats with extra leg room if you have a bad knee to contend with or need extra space for any other reason.
If you have an identification card for people with disabilities, bringing it with you in your wallet may be helpful.
Sometimes calling the airline in advance to request early boarding, a wheelchair, or extra legroom is a good idea, too.

How to deal with medications

Traveling with medications or a joint implant can also be stressful at times. But it doesn’t have to be.
If you bring meds in a carry-on bag, be sure they’re in their original prescription bottles, showing your name and the name of the drug. If this isn’t possible, a note from your doctor or a list of the medications and what they’re for is helpful.

If your medication needs to be refrigerated, you should be allowed to bring a cooler or a bag with ice packs on the plane. Be sure to explain to the airport agents that it’s a medication that needs to be kept cold.
The same goes for syringes. Explain that they’re medically necessary and what they’re for.

Allot extra time in case this turns into a hassle.

If you have a knee, hip, or other joint replacement, ask to go through the full-body X-ray machine. If your orthopedic surgeon gave you a card identifying you as a joint replacement recipient, have it handy. However, you won’t need to show it in most cases.
Don’t be embarrassed. TSA agents are used to dealing with people who have joint implants and other medical devices.

What’s important to pack

Packing wisely is also key when traveling, whether by land, air, or sea.
A neck pillow or lumbar cushion may be a good idea. It may also be prudent to bring wrist braces, knee braces, ace bandages, elastic therapeutic tape, or other items used to alleviate pain or discomfort.
Don’t forget medications and any medical devices or assistive items you may need on your trip.
Sunblock is always a good idea, especially if your RA medication makes you photosensitive.
Some people with RA who are immunocompromised also travel with masks to prevent the exposure to germs, particularly on an airplane or cruise ship.

Avoid the stress

Experts recommend keeping stress in check while traveling. Stress can be a flare-up trigger for people with RA.
In a recent press release issued in advance of National Arthritis Awareness Month, rheumatologist Dr. Grace Wright recommended the following tips for traveling with RA:

• Keep moving regularly to help avoid joint stiffness while on the road.
• Take a lightweight bag with spinning wheels.
• Check your bags.
• Bring heat and cold wraps.
• Stay hydrated.

The Arthritis Foundation also recommends choosing a hotel that has a pool, hot tub, and sauna when possible, and also calling ahead to check the resort’s accessibility options and accommodations for guests with disabilities, if applicable.
Choose meals carefully if any foods trigger flare-ups for you. Don’t be ashamed to ask for help when you need it.
It’s also wise to know where the nearest hospital and pharmacy are to where you’re staying on your trip.
Planning activities ahead of time and choosing activities and exclusions that work with your body and its limitations is crucial. Balance relaxing time with fun and adventure, and try to stay mindful and enjoy the moment.
Vacations are nice — but vacations without pain are even better.

https://www.healthline.com/health-news/heres-how-to-travel-when-you-have-arthritis#4

Flare-responsive hydrogel developed to treat arthritis

From medical xpress.com

Arthritis flares - the unpredictable and often sudden worsening of arthritis symptoms—can be debilitating. These episodes can make the management of inflammatory arthritis, which includes rheumatoid arthritis and psoriatic arthritis, challenging for patients and physicians. But investigators at Brigham and Women's Hospital have found that flares may also represent an important opportunity for improving treatment options for patients. In experiments carried out in the lab, BWH bioengineers have developed a hydrogel—a soft, flexible material that can be loaded with arthritis drugs and injected locally into an inflamed joint. Instead of delivering the drug continuously at a steady rate, the hydrogel is designed to respond to increased disease activity during flares, releasing the drug when symptoms worsen. The team's laboratory-based findings are published this week in Nature Communications and investigators are working on next steps to bring their technology closer to the clinic.

"Arthritis represents a huge unmet clinical need," said co-senior author Jeff Karp, PhD, a bioengineer and principal investigator at BWH. "Although new therapeutics have been developed, many have had systemic, toxic effects. We wanted to design a delivery system that could be efficient, deliver drugs locally and release drugs in response to inflammation."

The newly created flare-responsive hydrogel is made from triglycerol monostearate (TG-18), a compound from the Food and Drug Administration's list of "generally recognized as safe" compounds. TG-18 is a molecule capable of self-assembling, meaning that it can form a gel-like structure comprising fibers. This structure can be easily injected as a suspension In this study, the TG-18 hydrogel was loaded with triamcinolone acetonide (TA) used here as a model drug, but could potentially be loaded with many other kinds of anti-inflammatory compounds.

"The hydrogel is designed so that drug release is triggered by the activity of specific, arthritis-related enzymes that are increased during flares. To test the TG-18 hydrogel, we exposed the gel to several different kinds of environments mimicking conditions in arthritic joints," said Nitin Joshi, co-first author on the work an Instructor of Medicine at BWH.

When the gel was incubated in synovial fluid from a healthy human joint, drug release was minimal, but when incubated in synovial fluid from a patient with rheumatoid arthritis, the drug was readily released from the hydrogel. Importantly, the drug supply was not exhausted in one spike of synovial fluid—instead, it could be released in response to multiple spikes over time. The team also tested hydrogel's effects on cells from cartilage and joints, finding that it appeared to be safe.

The team further tested the clinical efficacy of the TG-18 hydrogel in a mouse model of inflammatory arthritis. They choose a model, the K/BxN serum transfer model, in which disease severity can be precisely controlled, which allowed them to test the hydrogel in animals with different degrees of arthritis severity. They found that when arthritis was more severe, the locally injected hydrogel degraded more rapidly corresponding to increased drug release. Swelling and severity of arthritis diminished in response to the drug-loaded hydrogel.

One of the advantages of the hydrogel is that it offers the promise of treating arthritis specifically in the joints where the disease is flaring, rather than delivering a drug throughout the body.
"Local therapy could be a viable treatment option for patients with only one or a few inflamed joints, said co-corresponding author Joerg Ermann, MD, a rheumatologist in the BWH Division of Rheumatology, Immunology and Allergy. "Moreover, if a patient is already on a systemic drug but is experiencing a flare in a limited number of joints, we could specifically treat these joints rather than switching systemic therapy or adding another systemic drug. Having this option would substantially increase our ability to successfully manage arthritis flares in the clinic."

The team will continue testing the hydrogel in preclinical models to further validate it, and continue to advance toward human clinical trials. The technology has been licensed by Alivio Therapeutics, which is developing therapies to treat inflammatory disorders via targeted disease immunomodulation.

https://medicalxpress.com/news/2018-04-flare-responsive-hydrogel-arthritis.html

Arthritis pain: Avoid this popular drink to protect your joints

From express.co.uk

EASE joint pain associated with arthritis by shunning this popular drink. Avoiding high-impact exercises that put pressure on joints, such as jogging and aerobics, will also help soothe the discomfort caused by the disease. 

Arthritis pain affects over 10 million people in the UK.
Common symptoms include joint pain, stiffness and restricted movement.
Studies have shown that sufferers should think twice about their morning cup of coffee, as caffeine can weaken bones and exacerbate the joint pain associated with arthritis.
“Caffeine leaches calcium from bones, sapping their strength,” according to WebMD.
One cup of coffee contains around 100 milligrams of caffeine, the same amount as many energy drinks. A can of cola contains about one third of that.
One tip for cutting down caffeine is to wean yourself off your coffee habit by choosing decaf for every second cup.
Also be sure to avoid high-caffeine sodas and energy drinks, and choose tea over coffee whenever you can.
WebMD notes that although tea also contains caffeine, studies suggest it does not harm bone density, and might actually help density in older women. It may be because tea contains plant compounds that protect bone.
Green, black, oolong and white teas are all rich in polyphenols – compounds from plants that boost the immune system and help fight inflammation – which have been recommended to arthritis sufferers to ease joint pain.
The Arthritis Foundation also advises avoiding high-impact exercises that are tough on joints, in order to reduce strain.
“Research shows pounding exercises like kickboxing and step aerobics can be tough on joints. Switch to low-impact activities like biking and swimming that offer the same calorie-burning benefits without the painful pounding,” it states.
They also recommend simple stretching exercises to keep muscles flexible and working at their best.

                            Arthritis pain: Caffeine weakens bones which can worsen joint pain

Even when your joints are painful, it’s important to keep moving, the foundation says. “When possible, alternate between sitting and standing to prevent stiffness and strain.”
They also recommend that women ditch high heels. As well as exacerbating joint pain in arthritis sufferers, heels put extra stress on your knees and may increase your risk of developing osteoarthritis.
“Look for flexible, supportive shoes that are squared or rounded at the toe so your toes can move around. A shoe with a rubber sole will give you more cushion. Make sure your shoe is flexible at the ball of your foot, where you push off.”
Taking daily omega-3 supplements can also help ease joint pain, inflammation and stiffness that comes with arthritis.

https://www.express.co.uk/life-style/health/942196/arthritis-joint-pain-relief