ARTHRITIS - A REACTION TO YOUR FOOD

BIO CHEMICAL INDIVIDUALITY 

Who has ever heard of allergic arthritis and is there such a thing you may ask? My answer is an emphatic yes, but its little known, even less understood and never mentioned by doctors because most of them don't believe that arthritis can be triggered by an allergy, thus arthritis will always remain an idiopathic disorder. 

However, there are rheumatologists and ecologists that have done numerous double blind studies to prove the case for allergic arthritis. But in order for you to understand the reasoning, or even benefit from this blog, we have to substantially cover allergies in general... so here goes.

Most people sneeze when sniffing dust or pepper but not everyone. Airborn pollen causes many people to sneeze and their eyes to tear when breathed-in, but this does not happen to everyone. My younger brother itches and develops bumps all over his body that resembled mosquito bites whenever he eats cheese and tomato, and according to his doctors numerous people are affected by it but this does not happen to everyone. 

I myself develop an itchy tongue when consuming tinned fish but tinned fish does not adversely affect everyone. My scuba diving partner can eat crayfish but if he is scratched by a crayfish claw, his hands swell up like a balloon, but that doesn't happen to everyone. A school teacher of mine suffocated and almost died from a single bee sting but everyone's throat does not constrict when stung by a bee. This list can go on, and I am sure you may have many to add.

Coming back to the "individual bio-chemical profile" I spoke of in my earlier blogs, it is easy to see that these allergies mentioned above are not imaginary, and accept that each and everyone of these persons are "bio-chemically different". 

Chemicals from the food we eat, the beverages we drink and the air that we breath as well as the chemicals and lotions and bleaches and polishes and sprays and creams we befriend can and do, have a profound effect on our "bio-chemically individuality".

Added to this, there are people that are lactose intolerant, there are those who get dizzy even develop headaches when inhaling petroleum fumes, some vomit when inhaling handy gas fumes, some breakout in hives when walking in grass. 

Hay fever is known to triggers conjunctivitis and violent coughing in some. Food aditives and food allergies are known to have caused asthma attacks or an eczema flareups and venomous sting from wasps and bees has even caused death.

Many people who were not raised on mother's milk or cow's milk but rather on soya milk seem to be more prone to allergies but not exclusively. Allergy is an immunesystem response to a threatening allergen thus we can safely conclude that the chemical composition of any of these allergens compromises the "bio-chemical individuality" of these persons. 

The peculiar thing is, an allergic reaction to a food sort in some people, does trigger an immune system response, causes no external visible swelling, convulsions or unconsciousness, however, it turns against the bone and the joints like an autoimmune disorder. This is very evident in Systemic Lupis Erythermatosis (SLE) especially in young females.

My arthritis suffering neighbour, destined for a biotech hip replacement is a classic example of where her immune system turned against her bones and sucked out the calcium for her breast milk production, considering she had 4 children in a period of three and a half years. 

Her diet was deficient in calcium neither did she allow herself a recovery to replenish and neither did she supplement calcium or vitamins and minerals. Her osteoporosis would have been reversible if treated in time with adequate supplimentation but negligence now makes her hobble.

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ARTHRITIS - KNOW YOUR ARTHRITIS

KNOW YOUR ARTHRITIS

My experience with Arthritis is not first-hand, as an arthritis sufferer but more as a hands-on care giver. Both my only sister and my ex wife are arthritis sufferers having rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and osteoarthritis (OA), respectively. 

Quite recently, my sister has had both her knees operated on because they audibly "clicked" and "squeaked" whenever she walked. For her, it was embarrassing and very painful. However, after the op, the noises subsided but the pain and the immobility remained. She is so physically impaired, that she never or hardly ever leaves home because getting in-and-out of a car is a mission, no, for her, its a double mission.


My ex wife suffered from finger-joint pain and wrist pain, often crying into the early hours of the morning because of it, especially during Winter. At times, she would wake me to rub her joints or to make her a hot water bottle only to return to bed and find her sitting-up, silently crying. 

But her arthritis was not limited to her hands alone, it was also in both her knees, both her ankles and the left shoulder blade as well as her toes on both feet. Often she would get a cramp in a toe, requiring me to apply mild pressure and pull the toe erect until the cramp subsides. 

Poor circulation resulting in her having cold feet which really got her under but keeping warm helped somewhat, so I invested in an electronic blanket for her. For more than 20 years I've watched her suffer and brave the pains of arth-ritis.

What I am about to say, is debatable or even controversial but of all the books and literature I've read and seminars I attended and physicians I have consulted, I concluded "there is no cure for arthritis" but by taking charge and managing your arthritis, you can lead a full and richer life. 

To qualify my statement, arthritis is so varied in its symptoms and just as vast in its treatments, that we cannot call arthritis a single disease but rather a disease with more than a 120 separate disorders, among which are gout, psoriatic arthritis, fybromyalgia (FM), ankylosing spondylitis (AS), bursitis, osteoporosis, rheumatoid arthritis and polymyositis to mention but a few. But collectively we may call them idiopathic arthritis (IA) meaning doctors do not know the cause of them.

What type of arthritis you have is dependent on your chemical profile and the childhood illnesses or allergies that you may have had. This statement may cause some controversy but my sister suffered rheumatic fever as a child and my ex wife suffered psoriasis and hay-fever as a child. 

My son inhered the hay-fever from her and only time will tell if he will also sufferers from arth-ritis. My neighbour due for a hip replacement suffered colic as a baby.

Next-up I will chat about allergic arthritis.

ARTHRITIS

Arthritis can be an excruciating experience, and it’s a misconception to think it only affects the elderly. In reality, it is a prevalent and often debilitating condition that can impact nearly every bone and joint in the human body—and it’s not just limited to humans. Even dinosaurs are believed to have suffered from arthritis. Yes, this condition is ancient, yet millions of people today around the globe endure its effects. Much of this suffering stems from the ongoing information battle between pharmaceutical giants, medical practitioners, and the general public. (We will delve deeper into that later.)

For many, arthritis feels like a “life sentence” marked by painful joints and the immobility that accompanies it. However, others find hope, believing they can rise above the limitations imposed by this condition—if only they can uncover the elusive information they seek. The age-old saying “Knowledge is Power” holds especially true in the realm of arthritis. Thus, the most crucial message I want to impart in this discussion is that arthritis is not a condition to be ashamed of. As someone living with arthritis, it is imperative to equip yourself with as much knowledge about this condition as possible—ideally even more than your physician possesses.

Become the authority on arthritis. It is essential to be in a position of power to control, manage, and potentially overcome your arthritis. If you relinquish that power, your arthritis may control your life, gradually eroding your quality of living and, ultimately, you.

Arthritis is a debilitating disease. While it may not be life-threatening in the way that heart attacks, strokes, cancer, or HIV/AIDS are, it can haunt your existence and possess your daily life. Yet, the power to stem this tide lies within you. The Arthritis Management blog aims to empower those affected by arthritis and their caregivers by providing the necessary information to identify, understand, and take actionable steps toward a better quality of life.

Now, let’s acknowledge a fundamental truth: each of us is different—biochemically unique. This uniqueness means that arthritis manifests differently in every individual, leading to varying symptoms both physically and physiologically. Consequently, this requires treatment plans that are similar yet tailored to each person’s needs.

It is vital to emphasize that modern medicine often takes a one-size-fits-all approach to arthritis treatment, largely based on laboratory tests conducted on mice, guinea pigs, and other rodents. The resultant drug therapies tend to focus on suppressing symptoms rather than curing the underlying ailment, which can lead to adverse reactions in many chronic arthritis sufferers.

Yet, within this complexity lies the beauty of our resilience. Understanding arthritis is not merely about learning medical terms; it’s about embracing our stories. Each of us carries the weight of our struggles, yet we also possess the strength to rise. Let us transform our pain into purpose, our struggles into stories that inspire.

We must cultivate a community where knowledge flows freely, where questions are welcomed, and where experiences are shared. Together, we can create a sanctuary of support, reminding each other that we are not alone in this fight. We must reach out—whether to fellow sufferers, to caregivers, or to healthcare professionals—seeking the guidance and solidarity that can light our way.

As we embark on this journey together, I urge you to take an active role in your health. Attend workshops, engage in discussions, and seek out resources that resonate with you. Let curiosity guide you as you explore alternative therapies, lifestyle adjustments, and holistic practices that may complement your treatment. Remember, you are not just a patient; you are an advocate for your own well-being.

So let us rise, armed with knowledge and compassion, ready to confront the challenges of arthritis. Let us reclaim our narrative, transforming fear into empowerment and uncertainty into hope. As we share our stories and learn from one another, we will not only understand arthritis but also redefine our relationship with it.

Together, we will illuminate the path forward, embracing the beauty of life even amid the shadows of pain. Because in the heart of every challenge lies the potential for growth, and in each of our journeys, there is a profound strength waiting to be unleashed.