We at Medicircle are constantly working on bringing to our audience all the trending health-related topics. It is our primary objective to Bring to your attention news and views you need to be aware of to lead a healthy disease-free life. To help us in this regard we’d be joined by eminent and expert top doctors from across the country. Today in Doctor’s Speak we are going to talk about the problem of Arthritis and ways to help you deal with it.  

Dr. Rajiv Ranjan Kumar is an expert in the field of Clinical Immunology and Rheumatology. His focus areas are rheumatoid arthritis, lupus (SLE), Myositis, scleroderma (systemic sclerosis), psoriatic arthritis, Spondyloarthritis including ankylosing arthritis, sarcoidosis, vasculitis, osteoporosis and other autoimmune diseases. He brings with him an experience of more than 12 years. He is also a permanent member of the Indian Rheumatology Association.

Causes of Arthritis

Dr. Rajiv Ranjan Kumar says, “Arthritis is an inflammation and pain of joints. It may be present in- 

• Monoarthritis- one joint affected 
• Oligoarthritis- 2 -4 joints are affected 
• Polyarthritis - affecting more than 5 joints 

The types of arthritis are - 

Non-inflammatory arthritis- where there is no damage to the joints with no inflammation 

• Osteoarthritis is a degenerative joint due to ageing
  

Inflammatory arthritis- Where there is damage and inflammation

Immuno inflammation or autoimmune disorders like 

• Rheumatoid arthritis
• Psoriatic arthritis 
• Reactive arthritis 
• Ankylosing arthritis 

Infective arthritis caused due to infection

• Cancer infections 

Crystal associated arthritis 

• Uric acid arthritis 

Systemic disease and malignancy 

• Diabetes 
• Thyroid.”

 Children at risk of getting affected by Arthritis

Dr. Rajiv Ranjan Kumar informs, “It  is a myth that arthritis is related to aging. This is very wrong. Osteoarthritis is related to aging whereas immunity related arthritis can affect at any age. It is commonly seen in 20 - 40 age groups. Auto- immune arthritis can affect young children as well. 90 % of arthritis is immune and inflammatory related in the middle age group. There are more than 100 diseases of arthritis related to immunity. Our own immunity damages different joints causing arthritis. This may damage the spine. The common arthritis in children is JIA Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis. It affects children below 16 years and affects multiple joints. It may cause stiffness in joints with pain  for more than 6 weeks.”

Treatment Options for Arthritis

Dr. Rajiv Ranjan Kumar states, ”Arthritis is like a symptom of pain and inflammation of joints. It is important to find the cause and type of arthritis. Accordingly, treatment is prescribed. The treatment options are - 

Short term treatment 

• Painkiller NSAIDs 
• Steroids for a short duration

Long term treatment

• DMARDs (Disease Modifying Anti-Rheumatic Drugs)
• Synthetic drugs 
• Biological DMARDs

We can treat all stages of arthritis with advanced treatment.”

Diet for Arthritis

Dr. Rajiv Ranjan Kumar says, ”Diet is an important source of health. The diet for arthritis is -

• Avoid salty products 

• Avoid sugar product 

• Avoid packaged foods which causes inflammation 

• Avoid junk foods 

• Avoid fried and oily things 

• consume fruits and vegetables

• Protein in diet in case of uric acid induced arthritis

• Include calcium and vitamin D 

• Consume omega 3 fatty acids 

• Exercise is important for 30 mins for all joints.” 

Exercise for arthritis

Dr. Rajiv Ranjan Kumar says, ”The exercise for arthritis are - 

• Avoid cross leg in osteoarthritis 
• Avoid staircase 
• Walking is beneficial for the body 
• Mobility of joints is important for immuno- inflammatory arthritis.”