Foods to avoid to manage rheumatoid arthritis

Foods to avoid to manage rheumatoid arthritis

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a progressive and chronic inflammatory condition that leads to joint pain, stiffness, and swelling. It is considered an autoimmune disease that can cause loss of joint functions and deformities. While no food can treat this condition, it may be a smart move to avoid foods that worsen its symptoms. Read on to know which foods to avoid if you have RA and medical treatment options for RA.

Sugar
Beverages and drinks that contain high levels of sugar are known to induce and worsen joint pain. The American Heart Association recommends 6 teaspoons per day for women and 9 teaspoons for men. Try to limit or avoid eating candy, soda, ice cream, and other foods that are full of unhealthy amounts of sugar. Replace sweetened drinks with an unsweetened version by adding organic honey or lemon.

Salt
Salt is one of the essential nutrients for humans. However, when consumed in excess, it can trigger a variety of serious health issues, including joint pain. Eating too much salt increases not only the risk of RA but also kidney problems. Substitute salt in your food with other herbs and spices like ground pepper, oregano, minced garlic, onion powder, cumin, or any other seasoning to enhance the taste.

Processed red meats
Research has shown that red and processed meats increase inflammation leading to joint pain. They contain high levels of unhealthy saturated fats, which are harmful to arthritis patients. According to American Heart Foundation, cutting down on red meat consumption reduces the risk of cardiovascular diseases by about 30%.

Medication for RA

Actemra (tocilizumab)
Medical info on Actemra states that it treats moderate to severe rheumatoid arthritis. It is also used to treat giant cell arthritis, lung dysfunction caused by scleroderma, polyarticular or systemic juvenile idiopathic arthritis, and severe cytokine release syndrome (CRS).

Arava (leflunomide)
This medicine works by weakening your immune system to help reduce the swelling in RA. Individuals may be instructed to take a high dose for the first three days of treatment. Follow the doctor’s instructions for best results.

Trexall (methotrexate)
Trexall is used for the treatment of polyarticular-course juvenile RA in children and severe RA in adults. It is also used for severe psoriasis, leukemia, and cancers like breast, skin, head and neck, lung, or uterus.

Our
Blog.

9 most common types of depression you should know about

9 most common types of depression you should know about

All of us feel low, upset, and unmotivated at some point in our life, but this isn’t classified as depression. Depression is a mood disorder that overshadows a person’s thoughts, feelings, and actions. Signs and symptoms of this grave disorder can range from feeling hopeless and tired to completely losing the will to live. There are several types of depression and they are listed below so you can understand depression and people suffering from it better. Major Depression (Clinical Depression) The hallmark trait of this type of depression is the constant feeling of sadness or loss of interest in social life or any outside stimuli. It often lasts for two weeks or more in which a person can experience symptoms such as hopelessness, fatigue, and suicidal thoughts. Dysthymia (Persistent Depressive Disorder) Dysthymia lasts for years and can disrupt daily life and interfere with personal and professional relationships. Individuals with dysthymia are often seen as dark, pessimistic, or complainers by others, and they have a hard time being happy in typically pleasant situations. Manic Depression (Bipolar Disorder) People with manic depression experience high degrees of mood swings. Their train of thought can take them from feeling euphoric to feeling suicidal in just a few weeks.
Read More
Simple and practical guide points for expecting parents

Simple and practical guide points for expecting parents

Pregnancy is a new experience in every couple’s life, and one should understand a few things to ensure that the nine months are smooth and stress-free. Simply being prepared for pregnancy and looking forward to the joy of parenthood is not all there’s to childbirth. As a couple, you must understand, review, and adjust your lifestyle. Expecting mothers become their child’s nurturers and supporters from day one, but the expecting fathers, close relatives, and friends must also understand the key roles they will play right up to the due date. Here are a few simple family and pregnancy guide points to help you and your folks get started: Staying healthy Physical and mental wellbeing is extremely crucial for the expecting mother to ensure both her and the baby’s health. Diet plays a crucial role in this process, as the mother is now providing nutrition for the developing fetus as well as herself. As a family, you can take turns to ensure that the to-be mother is staying physically active, eating healthy and regularly, and not cultivating any bad habits. More importantly, family and loved ones should be prepared for the changes to come in the upcoming trimesters. Coping with changes – what to expect Morning sickness in the first trimester is quite common and can put a woman’s body under tremendous stress.
Read More