TORONTO — It’s a myth that arthritis only affects older people, says Dr. Vivian Bykerk, a rheumatologist at Mount Sinai Hospital.
“Arthritis is an inflammation of the joints, and it knows no age. Anyone can get it,” she said at a recent lecture sponsored by Magen David Adom at Shaarei Tefillah Congregation.
Bykerk – an assistant professor of medicine at the University of Toronto, director of Network of Early Arthritis Research (NEAR), and assistant director of the division of advanced therapeutics at the Rebecca MacDonald Centre for Arthritis and Autoimmune Disease – said that there are 139 kinds of arthritis, and most people have only heard of five or six.
“There are a lot out there. Older people commonly get osteoarthritis, and young mothers often get rheumatoid arthritis. There are also five kinds of juvenile arthritis. People get arthritis from age one to age 95, and it is not just those who live in cold, damp climates. It happens everywhere.”
Another myth, she said is that the diagnosis is “just arthritis. We need our joints. They are made up of cartilage, and that provides shock absorption. When that goes, you have bone on bone, and that is very painful. We cannot function without cartilage.”
Bykerk said that people often believe that the only symptom of arthritis is pain. “Other symptoms are swollen and deformed joints, and a shrinkage of the muscles around the joint. There is also an increase in warmth around the joint, a loss of joint movement and stability, and an abnormal walking pattern.”
In the early onset of arthritis, she said, only 30 per cent of patients test positive in blood tests and x-rays.
She advised the audience not to pay attention when they are told that nothing can be done about arthritis. “There is a lot that can be done. There is exercise, physio and occupational therapy, medication, supplements, joint protection and surgery.
“The worst thing is to get fat. Do some strengthening exercises and work out in the water, but pace yourself. You should conserve your energy and avoid fatigue.”
Although many people are told to avoid nightshade vegetables, such as eggplant, tomatoes and red peppers, “there is no evidence that that helps arthritis. I recommend a Mediterranean diet, rich in fruits, vegetables, fish and good oils.”
In summary, Bykerk said that arthritis is a big deal. “It is a damaging and destructive disorder, and it must be controlled. Joint health helps overall health.”
