Q: Most of us assume that arthritis is an inevitable part of growing older. However, in Too Young to Feel Old, you explain that arthritis isn't necessarily associated with age, and that it often has nothing to do with the natural wearing out of body tissue. Can you please explain this?
Dr. Blau: Arthritis is no more a natural part of aging than diabetes, heart disease, or cancer. Arthritis can affect anyone at any age. In fact, half of my patients are under the age of 45. Over 300,000 children in the United States are affected by arthritis. Arthritis is more than just some minor aches and pains. This myth trivializes an illness that can be -- and often is -- debilitating and even deadly. Arthritis means joint inflammation, so anything that will cause this inflammation results in arthritis. There are over 120 types of arthritis. Younger patients are often affected by severe inflammatory arthritis, such as rheumatoid arthritis or lupus. Osteoarthritis, on the other hand, usually affects patients over the age of 50. All forms of arthritis can be devastating to someone's lifestyle, no matter their age.
Q: Is there a population that is particularly vulnerable to arthritis?
Dr. Blau: Osteoarthritis, the most common form of arthritis, has an equal distribution between men and women, but the inflammatory forms of arthritis such as lupus or rheumatoid arthritis, primarily affect women. In fact, women account for up to 85% of all patients with these forms of arthritis. The most obvious explanation for this is that estrogen may play a role in making women more susceptible to arthritis. Another theory is that women may be exposed to certain viruses that trigger the inflammatory response.
Q: What are some of the typical symptoms of arthritis? How an we differentiate these symptoms from similar symptoms that are associated with other illnesses or conditions?
Dr. Blau: The most common symptom of arthritis is joint pain. This pain may be associated with joint swelling, muscle pain, and stiffness. Numerous forms of arthritis not only affect the joints, but also many of the internal organs. Arthritis may affect the heart, lungs, kidneys, bone marrow, the skin, and even the brain. That is why we call these "systemic diseases." Symptoms of different illnesses, such a sciatica, fibromyalgia, or infection, may mimic arthritis and it is often best to have them diagnosed by an arthritis expert -- a rheumatologist.
Q: Can arthritis be cured?
Dr. Blau: This is one of the insidious myths about arthritis. It has sent many patients in search of mythical "miracle cures" which are useless and often downright dangerous. Arthritis can no more be cured than can diabetes, heart disease, or lung disease. In fact, most medical illnesses cannot be cured, although they can often be controlled. The good news is that most forms of arthritis can be controlled and treated through a combination of diet, exercise, supplements, and medication, and if caught early on, the damage can be reduced or even reversed.
Q: The manufacturers and promoters of glucosamine and chrondroitin claim that they can heal arthritis by growing new cartilage. What is you opinion on this?
Dr. Blau: There are no good scientific studies that have shown that either of these supplements can grow new cartilage. One major study sponsored by the NIH demonstrated that there was no benefit overall to the use of glucosamine or chrondroitin sulfate over a placebo. Some patients do find relief from their joint pain when taking these supplements, but they only act as analgesics -- pain killers -- on a par with acetaminophen (Tylenol). There is no evidence that these compounds are at all helpful in treating rheumatoid arthritis, lupus or even gout.
Q: From acupuncture to ultrasound, there is a wide range of alternative remedies available to arthritis sufferers. Which do you recommend? Are there any that could be potentially harmful to people with arthritis?
Dr. Blau: Often a combination of treatments from both "traditional" and "complementary" medicine is most effective in treating arthritis. I think that alternative and complementary remedies can play an important role in treating both the pain and inflammation of arthritis. This may take the form of anti-inflammatory foods, acupuncture for pain relief, chiropractic care, massage therapy, and even meditation. There have been many scientific studies supporting these treatments for arthritis, and my patients have used them with quite a bit of success. Any treatment, whether traditional or alternative medicine, can present risks if used or prescribed inappropriately. I am particularly concerned when a patient abandons proven treatments for ones that are questionable. "Miracle cures" such as bee sting therapy, copper bracelets, and magnets have no role in treating arthritis. All forms of arthritis treatment should be overseen by a physician who has experience in this area.
Q: What role does exercise play in you 28-day program?
Dr. Blau: Proper exercise is essential to maintaining good joint health. I emphasize the word "proper." Exercises come in three forms: resistive, aerobic, and flexibility. For patients with arthritis, flexibility and range of motion exercises are the most important. I have designed a program for each joint in which my patients start out with gentle range of motion and flexibility training. They begin by doing only 10 minutes of exercise a day for the first couple of weeks. I then have them gradually increase this to a mild resistive program combined with the flexibility training. The key is to progressively increase the time. I advise patients not to increase to 30 minutes until the third week, then add 20 minutes of walking three times weekly in the forth week.
Q: A large part of your four-week program to control the pain of arthritis is based on recipes you have developed. What is the basis of your anti-inflammatory diet? Can you share with us a couple of your favorite recipes?
Dr. Blau: This is one of the most exciting areas of research. We now know that many foods have the ability to promote healing and can be anti-inflammatory. Some of the most powerful anti-inflammatory foods are those that contain Omega 3. This is a natural anti-inflammatory fatty acid found in many cold water fish such as wild salmon or wild mackerel, and also in flax seeds and certain nuts such as walnuts. In addition there are many spices and plants that have been shown to be anti-inflammatory including turmeric, cumin, garlic, and ginger to name just a few I also advise patients to use foods that are high in anti-oxidants, like pomegranates, blueberries, raspberries, and strawberries.
I have put together a meal plan that contains recipes high in Omega 3, and low in Omega 6 and 9 (unhealthy fatty acids found in farm-raised fish, chicken, and beef) and that capitalize on the healthful properties of a wide range of spices and foods. The meals have a low glycemic index and low glycemic load. One of the many benefits of this special meal plan is that you don't feel deprived of any foods -- it even includes wine, chocolate, and ice cream! The plan can be individualized for each patient based on their dietary needs and whether they want to lose weight, gain weight, or maintain their weight. All the meals can be prepared in 30 minutes or less and have been designed to be prepared by patients who suffer from arthritis.
Be sure to check out these other great resources published in New Body News from Dr. Richard H. Blau:
The Arthritis Doctor's 28-Day Super Menu (Sample Recipes)
About The Author:
Dr. Richard H. Blau is the author of Too Young to Feel Old: The Arthritis Doctor's 28-Day Formula For Pain-Free Living. For more than 20 years, and as the founder and medical director of The Arthritis Institute of Long Island, he has worked with arthritis suffers of all ages, treating symptoms that range from moderate stiffness to crippling pain and deformity. Please visit his website to learn more: www.arthritisinstitute.com.
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About The Book:
Drawing on Dr. Richard H. Blau's extensive
clinical experience and cutting-edge research in the fields of both
conventional and complementary medicine,
Too Young to Feel Old (Da Capo Press, $15.95 trade paperback original) is
packed with invaluable information on the two most common forms of
arthritis—osteoarthritis (OA) and rheumatoid arthritis (RA)—and presents a
program that will enable readers to manage and control their arthritis pain
in just four weeks. In language that is at once authoritative and
reassuringly down-to-earth, Dr. Blau explains the causes of arthritis,
reveals the truth behind the myths of such "miracle cures" as glucosamine
and chrondroitin, explores the emotional impact of arthritis, and guides us
through the myriad supplements, alternative therapies, prescription
medications that are available to arthritis sufferers. At the heart of this
essential guide is an innovative program that incorporates a meal plan and
exercises formulated to combat the pain of arthritis. Equipped with the
wealth of information and healthy lifestyle tips in Too Young to Feel Old,
readers can break free of a cycle of pain and significantly enhance their
quality of life.
