Currently, individuals suffering from rheumatoid arthritis are primarily middle-aged and younger adults. The main cause of rheumatoid arthritis is largely influenced by weather conditions.
When health is normal, there are no issues, but once the body is in a state of weakened resistance or consistently exposed to a particular environment, weather conditions can impact the body, leading to rheumatoid arthritis.
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| Individuals with poor health are often more susceptible to rheumatoid arthritis. |
Some young people tend to underestimate symptoms like a cold and cough, believing that these minor ailments can be cured simply by taking cold medicine. Many feel better and stop treatment, but in reality, the cold may not have fully resolved.
Those with poorer health are often more susceptible to rheumatoid arthritis, as a cold or cough can develop into pharyngitis or chronic tonsillitis, resulting in bacterial reactions that can lead to joint inflammation, and in severe cases, rheumatoid arthritis can affect the heart.
Individuals frequently exposed to cold environments or in contact with water all day are also at higher risk for rheumatoid arthritis. Through clinical observations, medical experts indicate that a significant portion of those affected by rheumatoid arthritis are women working desk jobs and homemakers.
Many women fail to dress warmly, wearing short skirts above the knee during the cold winter, leading to cold knees. Homemakers often have their hands in cold water, allowing cold moisture to seep into their finger joints, resulting in reduced dexterity… All these factors are primary causes of rheumatoid arthritis.
Additionally, due to neglecting to avoid drafts and not dressing warmly, many women experience back pain and leg aches after childbirth, which is essentially due to rheumatism. Especially nowadays, many maternity wards are equipped with air conditioning; when women give birth and lose a lot of blood, their resistance decreases. If they then get cold, it becomes easy for them to develop rheumatism, which can later lead to rheumatoid arthritis if not addressed.
Medical experts recommend that women who work at desks and wear skirts in the office should ideally prepare a small, thin blanket to cover their knees to keep warm.
Homemakers should avoid soaking their hands in cold water; when doing housework, it’s best to wear gloves or use warm water, and then regularly apply a hot towel to their hands. If these measures are taken, even without medication, conditions can improve significantly.
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| A girl suffering from rheumatoid arthritis. |
Due to climatic conditions and occupational factors, many individuals suffer from osteoarthritis. So, who is most at risk for developing osteoarthritis?
First are the elderly: The incidence of this disease is closely related to age.
Second are women, especially those after menopause: Among individuals aged 45-55, the incidence rate is about equal between men and women; however, after the age of 55, the rate among women sharply increases, with women overall being three times more likely to suffer from this condition compared to men.
Third are obese individuals: Research shows that obesity is significantly related to osteoarthritis. The incidence rate of osteoarthritis among obese women is five times higher than that of normal-weight women. Moreover, the distribution of fat in the body is also linked to osteoarthritis; individuals with excess fat around their waist are more prone to hip and knee osteoarthritis, while those with fat concentrated in the hips and thighs are less likely to develop the condition. Genetics also plays a role in this disease. Western populations have a high incidence of hip osteoarthritis, while Eastern populations have a higher prevalence of knee osteoarthritis.
Some individuals in specific occupations are also at greater risk for osteoarthritis, such as miners, cotton pickers, heavy laborers, athletes, and dancers… This is primarily due to the constant pressure on the cartilage in the joints, leading to wear and injury.
Traditional Chinese medicine often emphasizes dietary therapy over medication, so individuals suffering from severe joint conditions should pay careful attention to their diet.
Flavonoids found in plants can help enhance collagen in the joints, reduce inflammatory responses, and promote faster recovery of inflamed joints. It is beneficial to consume plenty of green vegetables and fruits like oranges, strawberries, drink green tea, and eat seed fruits such as cherries and plums… Additionally, foods like almonds, peaches, mangoes, papayas, pumpkins, spinach, and sweet potatoes are important for vitamin A supplementation.
Individuals with rheumatoid arthritis should also include oranges, grapes, melons, tomatoes, and bell peppers in their diet to boost vitamin C intake, along with barley malt, cashew nuts, and dark leafy greens to supplement vitamin E.
Adults should aim to consume 600 milligrams of calcium each day, with milk being the ideal source of calcium. Adults should drink 1-2 glasses of milk daily and can also consume small fish with bones, shrimp, crabs, and shellfish… Additionally, beans, bean-based products, and dark green vegetables are also rich in calcium.
