Eliminate these beverages to see if your joint pain and stiffness improve
If you suffer from sore, inflamed, arthritic joints (knees, hips, hands, you name it), you probably have read that a glass of wine or a margarita might be just what the doctor ordered to ease your pain. Or you might have heard that stopping your drinking habit is the key to making joint aches go away. Or you might have heard both arguments and wondered which is true. After all, there are various studies that have suggested each be the case.
That means you might have to conduct a little experiment on yourself. If you don't drink alcohol, don't start now. But if you do drink, consider eliminating drinking alcohol to see if that behaviour helps to remedy your pain. And remember, "arthritis," which means joint inflammation, comes in many forms. Common ones include osteoarthritis, a wearing down of cartilage due to aging or injury, gout, caused by the build-up of crystals in the joints, psoriatic arthritis, which affects the skin and joints, and rheumatoid arthritis, where the body's immune system attacks the joints and bones typically of the hands and feet.
Here's what science and a few registered dietitians have to say about beverage consumption and arthritis, and for more helpful tips, here are the Telltale Signs You Have Arthritis.
Drinking alcohol may exacerbate arthritis symptoms.
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While a shot of Jack may take your mind off your knee pain for a moment, making a habit of is likely to worsen arthritis symptoms. Why?
"Alcohol is a toxin in the body and can cause inflammation, which will have negative effects on arthritis," says medical expert board member and registered dietitian nutritionist Sydney Greene, MS, RDN, owner of Greene Health. Alcohol's inflammatory effects can aggravate joint pain from auto-immune diseases like rheumatoid arthritis as well as osteoarthritis."
"In addition, because alcohol can weaken the immune system, it can disrupt any healing protocols you might be on, and alcohol can interfere with many medications prescribed for arthritis pain," Greene says.
For example, alcohol should be avoided when taking the RA drug methotrexate because both significantly increase the risk for liver damage, according to the American College of Rheumatology. Check with your doctor for remedies for arthritis symptoms and advice about alcohol consumption and potential interactions with medications.
Drinking beer can trigger gout attacks.
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Gout is one of the most common forms of inflammatory arthritis. It occurs when needle-sharp uric acid crystals form in a joint, often a big toe, causing intense pain. The crystals develop when your body breaks down purines, chemical compounds from purine-rich foods and drinks, especially beer and beverages sweetened with fructose, like soda and cocktail mixers. Many studies, including one in the American Journal of Medicine, found that the risk of recurrent gout attacks significantly increases in relation to the amount of alcohol in drinks.
Drinking sugar-sweetened beverages can cause symptoms, too.
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Even if you don't drink alcohol, other beverages may spell trouble for your joints.
"Drinking beverages with excess added sugars can potentially increase inflammation and trigger arthritic symptoms," says medical board member and registered dietitian Lisa Moskovitz, RD, CEO of NY Nutrition Group and author of The Core 3 Healthy Eating Plan. "Further, if you often opt for a soda, sweetened coffee, juice, or a sports drink, over a nutritious snack with anti-inflammatory fats and antioxidants, this habit can possibly activate more flare-ups."
Post-traumatic arthritis is any kind of arthritis that occurs from an acute injury to the joints. Although post-traumatic arthritis usually resolves spontaneously after a few months, some cases of post-traumatic arthritis may become chronic.
Post-traumatic arthritis may arise many years after an acute injury has occurred. It can take the form of osteoarthritis or inflammatory arthritis.
This article will provide a detailed account of post-traumatic arthritis, its symptoms, causes, diagnosis, treatment, management, and outlook for a person.
Arthritis is a condition that affects a person’s joints. Symptoms such as inflammation, pain, stiffness, and reduced mobility may affect any joint over any length of time.
As a recent articleTrusted Source explains, post-traumatic arthritis is any form of arthritis that results from a direct and acute traumatic injury to the joints.
When trauma causes the smooth surfaces of joints to become irregular, they rub against each other, which causes accelerated wear of the cartilage.
On average, 20–50% of people with joint trauma may develop post-traumatic arthritis. Post-traumatic arthritis is a type of arthritis and can take either of two forms: osteoarthritis and inflammatory arthritis.
Osteoarthritis is the most commonTrusted Source form of arthritis worldwide. It arises due to joint usage over a period of time. Inflammatory arthritis is less common, and it oftenTrusted Source arises due to an autoimmune reaction that causes high amounts of joint inflammation.
Areas where it may occur
Certain body parts are more likely to develop post-traumatic arthritis than others. These include the:
ankle
knee
shoulder
hip
How long will it take to develop?
Post-traumatic arthritis has a highly variable development phase. Some people with this condition will notice symptoms a few months after the acute injury, such as:
swelling
synovial effusion, or joint inflammation
severe pain
sometimes internal bleeding
Other people may not have any arthritis symptoms for 10–20 years after the injury.
How long will it last?
Most cases of post-traumatic arthritis resolve spontaneously after around 2-3 monthsTrusted Source. However, doctors consider this condition chronic if symptoms persist after 6 months.
A person should consult a doctor if they notice any symptoms at any time after an injury.
The cause of post-traumatic arthritis is an acute traumatic injury to a person’s joints. ResearchTrusted Source has shown that such injuries can arise from several sources, including:
vehicle accidents
sports
falls
military injuries
Although a single traumatic incident can cause post-traumatic arthritis, the risk also further increases with:
As a recent studyTrusted Source explains, it is only possible for doctors to diagnose post-traumatic arthritis after arthritis symptoms have begun.
Although there is some variation, a 2022 reviewTrusted Source details the more common diagnostic methods:
laboratory tests on bodily fluids to determine the amount of inflammation around the joints
imaging techniques, such as X-rays or MRI scans, to detect certain signs of arthritis, such as joint narrowing
synovial fluid examinations to differentiate between different kinds of arthritis
Doctors must consider the results of several such diagnostic tests before making a confident arthritis diagnosis. They will also ask about any past traumatic injury to diagnose post-traumatic arthritis.
When trauma occurs, doctors can perform surgery if a person has sustained an injury to the joint. If there is a fracture within the joint, surgeons may realign joint surfaces. This will help limit the severity of the joint damage and slow the degenerative process.
Treatment also focuses on minimisingTrusted Source the symptoms, which may involve the following interventions:
medications, such as nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs)
low impact exercises
lifestyle changes, such as losing weight if needed
If a person’s post-traumatic arthritis becomes chronic, treatment will vary from case to case. The 2022 reviewTrusted Source notes that several types of treatment can slow disease progression. These include:
medication, such as corticosteroids or antibiotics
physical therapy
bracing
acupuncture
weight reduction
in more serious cases, surgery to replace the joint
A person can discuss with a doctor the nonsurgical and, in some cases, surgical options to consider what is the most appropriate treatment.
One measure to help prevent trauma or fracture within the joint would be to avoid activities like high intensity and high impact sports.
For people who experience symptoms of arthritis, at-home measures may prove somewhat effective. For example, they can take over-the-counter painkillers to relieve symptoms and pain.
Other measures may also include seeking mental health care to help manage the psychological impact of this condition on their quality of life. An individual can consult a medical professional to explore other methods to manage this condition in the long term.
The symptoms that occur during the acute phase of post-traumatic arthritis may spontaneously resolve after a couple of monthsTrusted Source. However, the condition may slowly progress through a long period of no symptoms referred to as a “clinically asymptomatic latency period.”
Even acute post-traumatic arthritis can be challenging to live with due to the pain and reduced mobility that it may cause.
Moreover, those individuals who develop chronic forms of the disease will have to consult a doctor to find the most suitable way to manage symptoms.
When someone develops arthritis after an acute traumatic injury to the joints, doctors refer to it as post-traumatic arthritis, which is a form of arthritis. This condition may resolve without medical assistance.
However, some people will develop a chronic form of post-traumatic arthritis. These individuals may require long-term medical care and, in some severe cases, surgery to replace the affected joint.
Psoriatic arthritis (PsA) is an autoimmune disease that occurs because the immune system mistakenly attacks healthy body tissues, namely the joints and entheses (the areas where tendons and ligaments meet bone).
According to the National Psoriasis Foundation (NPF), PsA affects up to 30% of people with the autoimmune skin disease psoriasis. In psoriasis, the immune system mistakenly attacks healthy skin cells leading to the accelerated growth of new cells that build up to form plaques (red patches of flaky, crusty skin).
But PsA is not limited to people with psoriasis, and anyone can develop the condition, including children and teenagers. When children and teens get PsA, the condition is called juvenile PsA.
Juvenile PsA is a type of juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA) and is extremely rare. It is called idiopathic because it has no known cause. According to NPF, JIA occurs in around 20 to 45 children per 100,000 children. Of those, about 5% have PsA.
This article will cover the symptoms of juvenile PsA, its causes and risk factors, treatment, and more.
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Juvenile PsA Symptoms
The symptoms of juvenile PsA are the same as those experienced in adult PsA. It is possible to experience juvenile psoriasis before a child has any signs of PsA, but that is not always the case. Some children will develop arthritis symptoms first, and others will never get psoriasis.
Symptoms will vary among children and may include:
Inflamed, swollen, and painful joints
Joint stiffness, especially in the morning and after long periods of inactivity
Redness and warmth of affected joints
Dactylitis: Sausage-like swelling of fingers and toes
Enthesitis: Inflammation of the entheses
Swollen wrists: More common in girls ages 1 to 6
Deformed joints from ongoing, persistent inflammation
Low back pain and other spine symptoms
Sacroiliac joint pain: Felt in the low back and buttocks
Eye pain and inflammation
Fatigue
Nail symptoms: Pitting, ridges, crumbling, discoloration, and nailbed separation
Skin symptoms: Similar to what is seen in psoriasis
Sometimes, symptoms of juvenile PsA are asymmetric (affecting only one side of the body), but over time, they may become symmetric (affecting both sides).
Causes
The causes of JIA are unknown, and researchers do not know what causes the immune system to turn against its joints and skin. They suspect that genes and environmental factors might be to blame. Children with juvenile PsA often have a first-degree relative (parent or full sibling) with PsA or psoriasis, or a personal history of psoriasis.
Risk Factors
Why some children develop juvenile PsA and others do not is a question that researchers have been trying to answer, and they suspect that genetics might be a risk factor for the condition.
According to the NPF, more than half of children who develop PsA have at least one family member who has psoriasis. Genetic studies have found links with specific genes that might predispose someone to PsA.
Additional risk factors for PsA in children are:
Being female: PsA affects both boys and girls, but girls have a slightly higher risk
Older age: The average age for symptom onset of juvenile PsA is 13
Having psoriasis
Like adult PsA, juvenile PsA tends to be more frequently diagnosed in children who are White and non-Hispanic. One 2018 literature review looked at a cohort of 361 children with PsA, most of whom were later identified to be White (93.9%) and non-Hispanic (91.7%).
Diagnosis
A rheumatologist (a specialist in non-surgical treatment of arthritis and other diseases of the muscles, joints, and bones) can diagnose juvenile PsA with a physical examination, including a complete medical and symptom history, laboratory tests, and imaging.
Physical Examination
During the physical exam, the rheumatologist will ask about the child's symptoms, medical history, and any family history of psoriasis or PsA. During the physical exam, they will look for the following:
Dactylitis and enthesitis
Nail symptoms
Psoriatic rash
Hand, wrist, and foot tenderness and swelling
Spinal or sacroiliac joint symptoms
Contractures of joints: Tightening or shortening leading to a deformity. Contractures can also occur in muscles, tendons, and other body tissues.
A limping gait (walk)
If your child has eye redness or pain, their doctor will make a referral to a paediatric ophthalmologist (eye doctor). An eye exam can look for uveitis (swelling of the eye's middle layer).
Labs and Tests
There is no single lab test that confirms juvenile PsA. However, some lab tests can rule out other diseases with similar symptoms.
Blood tests might include:
Complete blood count (CBC): Autoimmune diseases can cause anaemia (low numbers of healthy red blood cells) due to chronic inflammation. The CBC test will also check white blood cell and platelet counts. Both can be elevated from inflammation.
Erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR or sed rate): This test looks at how quickly red blood cells settle to the bottom of a tube. When inflammation is present, the blood proteins will clump together and become heavier, and they will fall and get to the bottom of the test tube much faster. The faster they fall, the more severe the inflammation.
Anti-nuclear antibody (ANA): This blood test looks for specific proteins (antibodies) the body is making to attack its own cells. This test is positive in people with rheumatic conditions. However, ANA testing is not reliable on its own because it has a high false-positive rate, meaning your child can have high ANA levels and not have PsA or another autoimmune disease.
Additional testing: Other blood work can rule out other autoimmune or arthritis conditions. For example, rheumatoid factor and anti-cyclic citrullinated peptide (anti-CCP) testing can rule out another type of JIA called polyarticular RF-positive juvenile arthritis (sometimes called juvenile rheumatoid arthritis), known for attacking the linings of the joints. Joint fluid testing can help to rule out paediatric gout, painful inflammation caused by uric acid crystals in joint fluid.
Imaging
If your child's healthcare provider suspects PsA, they will request imaging studies—X-rays, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), and ultrasound scans. Imaging for juvenile PsA can reveal the presence and extent of joint inflammation and help your child's healthcare provider distinguish arthritis from other inflammatory conditions.
Imaging is helpful because PsA is known for causing bone and joint destruction very early on. Also, these bone and joint changes are rarely seen with other types of inflammatory arthritis.
Treatment for Juvenile Psoriatic Arthritis
Untreated juvenile PsA can lead to different disease complications. These might include:
Permanent joint damage
Bone growth problems
Chronic arthritis and disability
Vision problems caused by uveitis
Heart and lung inflammation that can become severe and life-threatening
Treatment for juvenile PsA will depend on your child's symptoms, disease severity, age, and overall health. Treatment will manage both skin symptoms and joint inflammation. The goals of PsA treatment are to reduce damaging inflammation, maintain mobility and prevent joint deformity and severe disease complications.
Home Remedies and Lifestyle
You can help your child learn how to manage juvenile PsA using different home remedies and lifestyle remedies. These might include:
Applying heat or cold: Stiffness and pain can affect many children with PsA, especially after periods of activity (pain) and inactivity (stiffness). Heat packs, warm baths, and hot showers can help your child get relief from pain and stiffness. Cold packs can help manage pain and swelling, especially after activity.
Regular exercise: Exercise can maintain your child's muscle strength and joint flexibility. Swimming or water exercises are the easiest because they put the least stress on the joints.
Eating a healthy diet: A healthy diet can keep your child at a healthy weight and reduce stress on joints. It can reduce inflammation. Adequate calcium and vitamin D intake, either through diet or taking supplements, is essential for reducing the risk of weak bones related to some of the treatments for the condition and decreased physical activity.
Over-the-Counter (OTC) Pain Relievers
Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) can provide pain relief and reduce swelling. Most are available without a prescription. NSAIDs include Advil (ibuprofen) and Aleve (naproxen).
Injections
Corticosteroids can be given to children as an injection in a single joint. A corticosteroid can be given orally as a pill, but healthcare providers try to avoid this because long-term steroid use can interfere with a child's growth.
Disease-Modifying Anti-Rheumatic Drugs (DMARDs)
DMARDs suppress an overactive immune system and reduce inflammation. The goal of these medicines is to prevent bone and joint destruction.
Mexate (methotrexate) is the most commonly prescribed DMARD for juvenile PsA, and is often given as an injection to children. Other DMARDs for juvenile PsA are Arava (leflunomide) and Azulfidine (sulfasalazine).
Biologic Medications
Biologics are medicines that target specific proteins in the immune system responsible for inflammation. They are available as subcutaneous injections or intravenous infusions.
They are prescribed to treat severe PsA or PsA that has not responded to other medications. These medicines can suppress the immune system and increase a child's vulnerability to infections.
Physical and Occupational Therapy
Physical and occupational therapy can help reduce your child's pain and stiffness, maintain muscle strength, improve mobility, and prevent disability. An occupational therapist might be able to prescribe or recommend splints or braces to protect your child's joints as they grow.
Complementary and Alternative Medicine (CAM)
Complementary and alternative medicine is a medical term used to describe medical practices and products that are not part of standard medical care. CAM therapies will not cure or treat your child's PsA, but they can relieve symptoms. CAM options that might be helpful to your child are massage and acupuncture (thin needles applied to specific spots to channel energy).
Treatment for Skin Symptoms
If your child experiences skin symptoms, topical medicines (applied to the skin) and phototherapy (exposing skin to controlled amounts of ultraviolet light) can help manage and reduce these.
Prognosis and Quality of Life
Children who are treated early for PsA can go into remission. Remission means the disease is no longer active and presents few or no symptoms. Your child will still have PsA but they won't experience signs of the condition.
One study reported in 2013 in the journal Paediatric Rheumatology found that 88% of juvenile PsA study participants experienced inactive disease on therapy and 50% off treatment. The study authors noted that these rates were similar to previously reported remission rates.
Even though the potential for remission is higher with early and aggressive treatment, PsA affects children differently. Some may only have involvement in one or two joints and experience a mild disease that is easy to control. Others, however, may have multiple affected joints, have skin and other symptoms, and experience a more severe disease course. But thanks to advances in PsA treatments, most disease complications can be avoided.
Summary
Juvenile psoriatic arthritis is a type of juvenile idiopathic arthritis. JIA conditions, like PsA, involve joint inflammation that appears before age 16.
These conditions are autoimmune diseases where the immune system malfunctions and attacks healthy tissues. In the case of PsA, these attacks are focused on the joints and the entheses. Common symptoms of juvenile PsA are joint pain and stiffness, dactylitis, enthesitis, skin rash, and nail symptoms like pitting and crumbling.
Researchers do not know why some children get juvenile PsA and others don't, but they suspect genetics and environmental factors might play a part. While there is no cure for PsA, it is a treatable and manageable condition. Treatment can prevent joint damage and disease complications and lead to disease remission.
A Word From Verywell
Children and teens with juvenile psoriatic arthritis can live normal and happy lives. They can attend school, play sports, and participate in family and extracurricular activities.
Make sure you treat your child with PsA the same way you treat their siblings. It can also be helpful to educate your child about PsA, what causes it, and how to best manage it.
Children should be allowed to express feelings about PsA, including anger. Help your child understand that they didn't do anything to get sick and that it is possible to feel better and enjoy life despite the condition.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Is there a cure for juvenile psoriatic arthritis?
There is no cure for juvenile psoriatic arthritis, but it can go into remission if treated early. Treatment can help control inflammation, prevent pain and joint damage, and reduce skin symptoms.
How common is psoriatic arthritis in children?
Juvenile PsA is an extremely rare condition. According to the National Psoriasis Foundation, juvenile idiopathic arthritis affects 20 to 45 children per 100,000 children, and of those, about 5% have PsA.
What is the life expectancy of people living with psoriatic arthritis?
Psoriatic arthritis, on its own, is not life-threatening. If a person with PsA experiences respiratory or cardiovascular problems, their life expectancy might be shorter.
However, treatment advances have substantially improved long-term prognosis and reduced the potential for effects from life-threatening diseases.
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