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Eating Fish May Ease Rheumatoid Arthritis Pain

Home > News > Eating Fish May Ease Rheumatoid Arthritis Pain
Posted: Aug 10, 2017 | by Alice | 0 Comment

rheumatoid, arthritis, pain, early, treatment, swelling, inflammationEating fish at least twice a week may be a strategy to reduce rheumatoid arthritis symptoms, a new study concludes.

Many people already take fish oil supplements for omega 3 fatty acids. Prior studies show that they can help ease the pain and swelling of rheumatoid arthritis. But it wasn’t clear if eating fish would work as well, researchers said.

 

“If our finding holds up in other studies, it suggests that fish consumption may lower inflammation related to rheumatoid arthritis disease activity,” said Dr. Sara Tedeschi, lead author of the Arthritis Care & Research study. “Fish consumption has been noted to have many beneficial health effects, and our findings may give patients with rheumatoid arthritis a strong reason to increase fish consumption.”

For the  176 people in the study, the more fish they ate, the more their symptoms improved. As an observational study, the findings do not prove a cause and effect relationship. The findings were reported June 21 in Arthritis Care & Research.

It’s uncertain what specifically causes rheumatoid arthritis. Health authorities know that with rheumatoid arthritis, a person’s immune system attacks his or her own body tissues. Three things that may cause rheumatoid arthritis are genetics, environment and hormones.

There are different ways to treat rheumatoid arthritis. One treatment strategy that works for one person may not work for another. Some treatments include:

  • Lifestyle changes
  • Medicine
  • Surgery
  • Regular doctor visits
  • Alternative therapies

Health authorities recommend lowering stress, eating a healthy diet, moderate exercise and taking care of your joints if you have rheumatoid arthritis.

+ Do you have rheumatoid arthritis? Learn about treatment options at Virginia Orthopaedic and Spine Specialists.

+ Learn why it’s important to quit smoking before hip and knee replacement surgery.

 

 

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