Does fish oil help arthritis?

I wonder if any of you reading this remember having to take a daily dose of cod liver oil to improve your health? My mother certainly can, and she remembers dreading each morning having to swallow a large spoonful- it certainly didn't feel  as if it was improving her health at the time as she generally felt queasy for the next hour!

Managing the symptoms of arthritis is an on going  daily discipline and  many arthritis charities recommend different ways that you can help yourself manage your symptoms. Apart from taking your medication,  regular exercise and  a balanced diet  are also key to reducing your pain.

However a study recently published  in Australia has hi-lighted the benefits  of taking fish oil along with regular therapy for early onset rheumatoid arthritis. It has already been determined that fish oil contains omega-3 fatty acids which can help to reduce inflammation and pain associated with RA and as result patients were able to reduce their intake of anti- inflammatory medication such as ibuprofen.

The study from the University of Adelaide set out to determine whether  fish oil had even more benefits  for its disease modifying capabilities and not just for its effects on reducing joint swelling and pain.

Patients in the early onset of RA (less than 12 months) were divided into two groups, one was given a high dose of fish oil and another a low dose. In addition patients also received more conventional medication and were monitored by their doctors.

However, increasing the amount of times you eat fish will not provide enough fish oil to have a therapeutic effect, the author of the study recommends that the necessary dosage be taken in the form of a supplement.

Results showed that the patients who went into remission from the disease with the treat-to- target approach, and took the high dose of fish oil also  needed fewer steps and fewer DMARDs to control their disease.. The reason, according to the study was that omega-3 fatty acids acted  like anti-inflammatories  in the body. 

Whilst the study does not recommend replacing DMARD therapy with fish oil, it suggests that supplementing it with  fish oil could be helpful particularly as it can reduce the use of  anti-inflammatory drugs.

You may also know that Omega 3 fatty acids help support the cardiovascular and circulatory systems in the body - conditions that are at increased for those with rheumatoid arthritis.

The fortunate news for my mother and those like her is that today fish oil comes in easy to swallow capsules  such as Eskimo Brainsharp ,and even if you prefer to take the oil in liquid form at least Eskimo 3 comes in a pleasant lemon or lime flavour.

We'd love to hear what you think about this study. Why not contact us via our Facebook page or follow us on Twitter? Alternatively drop us an email on services@arthritissupermarket.co.uk 

Arthritis, Joint Pain and the Weather

Back to school- Back to joint pain?

I hope that you have all had a great summer and have managed to enjoy yourselves. The weather turned out to be quite favourable and there has been plenty of time to sit in the garden, eat outside and yes -actually get the barbecue out more than once without having to cook under the shelter of an umbrella!

As a result, the summer seemed just to fly by and once the August Bank holiday came and went.   I don’t know about you, but I became aware that the summer evenings were not quite so long and there seemed to be a distinct chill in the morning air!  There was a definite feeling that  it would  soon be time (whether literally or figuratively )of going back to school, returning to work and preparing for the darker, colder days of Autumn and Winter.

For many suffering with arthritis the prospect of the colder weather may also trigger concerns that their condition may worsen,  that there is a supposed connection between weather conditions and the onset of arthritic symptoms, but is this fact or myth? Is there any scientific proof that this is the case?

It appears as with a number of articles about arthritis that the evidence is conflicting and somewhat vague, the most common theory concerns barometric pressure, that a decrease in pressure results in inflamed tissue swelling more. Conversely, cold weather may result in a shrinking of tissue, thus pulling on nerves, which in turn could cause pain. To read an article click on http://specialtyclinics.med.sc.edu/joint_pain.asp

It may also be that because its cold, we are less likely to be active outdoors and would much rather sit indoors thus resulting in less movement, which can lead to our joints becoming less mobile. Cold weather stiffens muscles, which can be a contributing factor. It should be noted that only symptoms of pain in joints may be affected by weather and that there is no evidence that it leads to joint damage.

People tend to exercise less in the colder months. It is well known that exercise can ease the pain associated with arthritis as it eases our joints, increases our flexibility and makes us stronger.

What can you do about it?

Maintaining an active lifestyle throughout the year is key. Look for opportunities to exercise inside, whether its yoga or pilates classes or aqua fit sessions in a heated indoor pool. Perhaps you might want to invest in an exercise bike or a pedal exerciser (exercising from your armchair- fantastic!)

5 – 10 minutes of gentle stretching in the morning can help relax stiff muscles or some people find a heating pad such as Thermedic helps to get the blood circulation going through their joints.

Make sure you discuss with your GP or physiotherapist the correct exercise for you, don’t overdo it and listen to your body.

If it is cold outside and you need to go out, dress warmly using layers to trap heat close to your body. Ensure that you wear appropriate footwear to avoid nasty falls on ice or soggy feet whilst walking in the rain.

Eat a healthy and balanced diet. If you’ve seen our previous blogs on cooking you’ll know that some foods can have an inflammatory effect on joints. A balanced diet can also boost your immune system. Don’t forget to stay hydrated!

Sleep- our body’s natural restorative process. Your joints and muscles will be relaxed and you’ll have more energy which may help you to feel as if you can manage your pain better.

So what do you think? Do your arthritis symptoms get worse as it gets colder? Can you give any of your top tips for coping with the cold? Contact us on Facebook or on Twitter so that we can share them with our readers.

Gardening, Arthritis and The Chelsea Flower Show

Arthritis Research UK Garden is Blooming Marvellous!

Congratulations to Arthritis Research UK on their beautiful garden now being exhibited at the Chelsea Flower Show

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                                                                                         (RHS IMAGES)

Designed by Chris Beardshaw of BBC2’s gardening programme ‘The Beechgrove Garden’,Chris has had a form of rheumatoid arthritis since his early teens and this inspired his creation.

It reflects the journey of someone with arthritis across three garden areas. Each area has been designed to show  the different emotional stages, from the confusion of  diagnosis in ‘The Veiled Garden’, to support  from charities such as Arthritis Research UK in The Lucid Garden’ and then finally to managing the condition in the beautiful and aptly named ‘Radiant Garden’.

We know that many of our customers really enjoy their gardening and we have some top tips to make sure that you can make the most of it.

• Before you start, try to do some simple warm up stretches, remember don’t over-do it, listen to your body.
• A full watering can is a heavy load to lift, try to use a sprinkler system or a hosepipe if you can ( and judging on the winter we have just had, we don’t think a hosepipe ban will be  in force this summer!)
• Make sure that you use both hands when you have to lift pots, seed trays and compost.  For the really heavy tasks don’t be afraid to ask for help, whether it’s a friend, neighbour or professional gardener.
• Try not to hold garden tools too tightly as this can hurt your hands, add on handles  and arm support cuffs might help with this
• There are also some clever garden tools which have special ergonomic handles so that you don’t put too much strain on your wrist- see here gardening tools .
• Gardening can be back-breaking!  Try to make sure that you watch your posture and stretch out your back regularly. If you have difficulty bending use a set of long reach garden tools that allow you to take the strain out of gardening.
• Finally after all your labours, enjoy a warm relaxing bath, you can put a few drops of lavender essential oil into the water or try Pernaton Relaxing Bath Therapy .
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 We really hope you have a wonderful time in your garden this season and if you would like to, send a photo to our Facebook page, we’d love to see it!

The Oscars, Arthritis and the Contenders for Best Supporting Role

Congratulations to Daniel Day Lewis on a historic third Academy Award for his performance in ‘Lincoln’.  On Sunday night the glamour of Hollywood was there for everyone to see, as this year’s recipients stepped up to accept their ‘Oscar’ and make their speeches.

A surprising fact that some of you may not be aware of is that the ‘Oscar’ statuette  actually weighs 8.5 pounds, that’s almost 4 bags of sugar - no wonder they pick it up with both hands!

For people with arthritis in the wrist and hand, picking up an Oscar might well be physically impossible.  Indeed the everyday tasks that most of us might take for granted, twisting bottle caps, lifting pots and pans, holding a book open for a sustained time, continued typing on the computer may often lead to an increase in pain and inflammation of these joints.

There are a number of arthritis conditions that affect the wrist. You may be familiar with Carpal Tunnel Syndrome (CTS) which has the characteristic symptoms of pain, aching and tingling or numbness in the fingers especially the  thumb, index and middle fingers. These sensations may be so severe as to affect the whole hand and may even extend to the forearm. 

Symptoms may begin in the wrist, which may then progress to a feeling of swollen fingers which may not be physically apparent. Another symptom may be a feeling of weakness in the hand and a tendency to drop objects.

Another condition is Bursitis .This is an inflammation of a bursa. (small fibrous sacs situated between bone and other moving parts ). The bursae allow easy movement (smooth gliding) between these structures and can fill with fluid if they are overused, injured or inflamed. As a result, the affected joint becomes more painful and is difficult to move.

People with osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis may also find that their wrist joints and hands are affected with painful inflammation and stiffness.

Whilst there isn’t a cure for arthritis, there are a number of products which are designed to alleviate strain and stress on joints.  Whether through ergonomic handles and grips or aids to make strenuous activity that little bit easier.

Keeping active is an important part of keeping your joints moving.  You  can find a number of products in our Garden tools, Home products and Kitchen Aid section that may be of benefit to you in everyday activities and help take the pressure from your wrist or hand joints.

At the Arthritis Supermarket, we also have many different types of joint support, including therapeutic supports,  that you may find helpful in relieving pain in your hand or wrist.

They range from our PerfectFit Wrist support, designed particularly for women, the Active Wrist support, ideal for use during activity and exercise, to our new Thermedic Wrist support which provides infrared heat  to increase blood flow in the affected area and thus may help to relieve pain.

    

   

If there were an Academy Award for arthritis, we’d like to think that our wrist and hand products would win ‘Best Supporting Role’! (Couldn’t resist the play on words!) 

Sunlight may lower the risk of rheumatoid arthritis in women

On arrival at Arthritis Supermarket this morning it was great to hear that we had all managed to get out and spend some time in the early Spring sunshine. Although it was only last week that the UK was recovering from its second bout of snow, you may just have noticed that the mornings are beginning to get a little lighter even if it’s just a minute or so each day. 

                                            

It may also surprise you to know that as well as making us feel like the dark days of winter are behind us, the sunshine is actually good for us! A recent article in the BMJ suggested that there may be a link between sunlight and rheumatoid arthritis.The researchers speculated that Vitamin D, which is produced within the body as a result of the skin’s exposure to sunlight may also help to protect the body.

 Leading medical research charity Arthritis Research UK  hi-light the benefits that adequate Vitamin D levels can bring. The action of ultraviolet light  from the sun on the skin  aids the absorption of calcium, which in turn helps to build strong bones. Vitamin D may also help prevent bone loss and muscle weakness.

Some studies have also shown that by getting adequate amounts of Vitamin D this may help to slow down the progress of osteoarthritis in the hip. In another larger study begun in 1986 it was found that those who had less than 200 IU of vitamin D each day had a 33% greater risk of developing rheumatoid arthritis ,although researchers were unsure as to why this should occur- perhaps  because of the effects upon the immune system. If you are concerned about your Vitamin D levels visit your GP.

Arthritis Research UK advise that by exposing your arms and face to  15 minutes  of sunshine a day (making sure of course that you don’t allow your skin to redden and taking care not to burn)  can help the body manufacture  an adequate supply of Vitamin D.

Experts suggest that generally the best time for your body to manufacture Vitamin D is during the sunny(!) months from about the end of March through to September

In the less sunny months, you can help yourself by topping up your vitamin D levels through a varied diet by eating more oily fish such as salmon, mackerel, tuna, pilchards and sardines. Other sources include egg yolks, butter and cheese and foods fortified with Vitamin D including breakfast cereals and milk.You might also consider taking a dietary supplement, but always check with your doctor before taking them.

As we well know, the British weather cannot always be relied upon, and when you factor in concerns over skin cancer and our increasingly indoor lifestyles, taking a supplement may help you to store the Vitamin D your body needs to sustain you throughout the year.

 Here at the Arthritis Supermarket our Vitamin D supplement contains 1000 IU (international units) per tablet, which gives you your recommended daily allowance.

We hope that the sun continues to shine in your part of the world.

Arthritis: The benefits of exercise

How are your New Year Resolutions going? 
 If you are anything like the team at the Arthritis Supermarket, we’ve found that the initial enthusiasm for them starting to wane a little- however  we are determined to keep them!

Two recent articles in the news high-light the importance of keeping up a common resolution- getting fitter and losing weight.

A survey released by Arthritis Research UK and the Chartered Society of Physiotherapy  

on 29^th January  2013 revealed that over a third of people who began a fitness regime in January had  stopped or significantly reduced their amount of exercise by February. Furthermore only one third of those who began in January had maintained their exercise programme.

If you suffer with arthritis, the thought of exercise may seem even more daunting, however, both Arthritis Research UK and the  National Rheumatoid Arthritis Society (NRAS)  comment that regular, light exercise, little and often, is incredibly important  in order to keep your joints healthy and flexible.

Exercise can help to strengthen joints and ease stiffness, as well as maintain your health and wellbeing. We're not suggesting that you start training for the London Marathon or 'go for the burn' in a high energy steps class, but perhaps some gentle swimming (which is great, as  the water buoys you therefore putting less strain on your joints) or brisk walking.

Another article in  Arthritis Today (published 24^th Jan 2013) discusses a number of studies that have been conducted worldwide that reflect the many impacts of being overweight  on those with arthritis. It can put strain on weight bearing joints, particularly your knees, and that losing even a small amount of weight can make a difference.

As with all new activity, there is a temptation to do too much too soon, and it’s important that you discuss with your physiotherapist or GP before embarking on any exercise programme.  Set yourself small realistic goals, in an activity you are going to enjoy, so that you can maintain your motivation.

 

For top tips on exercise visit the NRAS website page or Arthritis Research UK.

We wish you every success in maintaining your New Year Resolutions and should you need us we’re here to help you and your joints.

Now, where did that swimming costume go?

 

 

Ankylosing Spondylitis Support Group in Hastings

FORGET WHETHER YOU’RE A RED OR A BLUE- ITS ASRA UTD. YOU WANT TO BE CHEERING FOR!

Last week, I had the fortune to come across an article in the Hastings Observer, relating to a new support group specifically for those people suffering with a form of arthritis known as Anklyosing Spondylitus (AS) and found out some facts that really made me sit up and take notice.

Did you know that there more people in the UK that suffer with Ankylosing Spondylitus than MS?  However very few people have actually heard of it as there is a great deal of ignorance about the condition among doctors and the public alike, with sufferers often seen as people with a ‘bad back’.

 In fact, Ankylosing Spondylitus causes the joints of the spine to fuse together and affects many other joints in the body. Sufferers often end up with a curved back which does not flex at all, known as bamboo spine. AS also affects the heart, eyes and other parts of the body, as well as causing debilitating bouts of chronic fatigue which impact upon everyday lives and families.

Kevin Andrews (pictured above) has suffered with AS since he was a child and in 2010 set up a support group in East Sussex to help others affected by the condition.  Now he has ASRA United which we can all support by going to www.asrautd.org .  This online forum is for fellow sufferers and aims to give those like him the opportunity to share their own experiences and get support from each other. It is a welcoming and friendly site (as I have personally experienced!) and also invites friends and families to join in order that they can increase their understanding of the condition and learn how they can help.

The group is currently about 80 strong and is growing all the time. On viewing it I was struck by the genuine warmth exhibited between users.  They have first-hand experience of what it’s really like to have this condition and are readily available to help and support. Often just someone taking the time to listen to you is all it takes to feel a little comfort.

If you suffer from or know some-one that has AS, direct them to the forum.  We wish Kevin and all those involved with the site the very best of luck with it. It’s great to see people ready to put themselves out there and take positive action to tackle their condition, and if we can do our bit to help support them, all the better.
For further support, you can also contact the National Ankylosing Spondylitus Society (NASS)