A Consultant Rheumatologist, Dr. Hakeem Olaosebikan has cautioned Nigerians against the excessive consumption of red meat, seafood, and fruit juice, noting that they can trigger arthritis.
According to him, when people indulge in excessive intake of these sorts of foods, there is an excessive build of a chemical called uric acid in the joint that can lead to arthritis.
Arthritis is a painful swelling of the joints. It is also the inflammation of one or more joints, causing pain and stiffness that can worsen with age.
The Consultant Rheumatologist with Lagos State University Teaching Hospital Ikeja also noted that some arthritis can be prevented by reducing weight, increasing physical activity, and abstaining from excessive ingestion of alcohol, red meat, offal and seafood, as well as increasing the intake of vegetables, fruits, fibres, and roughages.
Some of the symptoms associated with arthritis, he said, include fever, weight loss, skin rash, sore throat, and dry mouth.
He, however, noted that if diagnosed early, most arthritis can be treated and joint damage and disability prevented.
Olaosebikan also clarified that contrary to the popular belief, wearing heels can cause rheumatism and not arthritis.
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He also explained that suffering from arthritis could also be a signal of an underlying disease.
He said, “Arthritis may be an initial symptom of a serious underlying disease like cancer, lupus, Sjogren’s syndrome, rheumatoid arthritis, etc.
“These diseases can start with arthritis but these diseases can also affect other internal organs such as eyes, kidney, lungs, liver, etc.”
He, however, warned against self-medication and the use of painkillers for the management of arthritis, stressing that they are not specific drugs for the health condition.
“Always ask your doctor to investigate and tell you the cause of your arthritis as specific treatment varies with that cause,” he said.
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