Ten Signs And Symptoms You Could Be Having Psoriatic Arthritis

It has been estimated that 30% of people diagnosed with psoriasis also end up with psoriatic arthritis (PsA). Psoriasis is basically an autoimmune condition which is characterized by a rapid turnover of your skin cells. The symptoms of this condition are known as flare-ups, which are the excess skin cells creating scaly lesions on your skin.


When your body attacks your healthy joints, causing inflammation, it is the occurrence of the autoimmune condition- PsA or psoriatic arthritis. If left untreated, this condition can result in permanent joint damage. People, who develop psoriasis symptoms, are usually the ones to develop PsA. While this may not always be the case, here are the symptoms of PsA:

Swelling
All types of arthritis cause joint swelling, but a unique type of swelling in the toes and fingers are caused by PSA. You will notice a sausage-like swelling around the joints in your fingers and toes before noticing other symptoms in your joints. If you let it remain without treatment it can be extremely painful and can even end up causing permanent deformities in your fingers and toes.


Feet Pain
PsA commonly attacks the tendons too, unlike most other forms of arthritis which only causes joint pain. While the tendons are responsible for attaching the muscles to the bones, tendon pain can be excruciating. The tendon pain in your feet is a common symptom of PsA. There are two conditions of PsA that usually occur- Achilles tendinitis, and plantar fasciitis.

Achilles tendinitis
Achilles tendinitis causes the tendon connecting the lower calf muscles to the heel bone to get inflamed. This makes people experience pain within their heels. Plantar fasciitis causes the tendon connecting the heel to the toes to get inflamed. It is the most common symptom of PsA and is responsible for the pain you feel at the bottom of your feet.

Back Pain
PsA can also cause spondylitis which is a condition wherein joint inflammation occurs in two main areas: between your spine’s vertebral bodies and in between the pelvis and spine (sacroiliac region). Lower-back pain is its most common symptom. It is estimated that about 20% people who have psoriatic arthritis in time also develop psoriatic spondylitis.

Morning Stiffness
If you have PsA, then you will surely experience inflexibility and stiffness in the morning, which can make moving your joints on either or both sides of your body quite difficult. After sitting for too long in one spot and then standing up can make you experience a similar kind of stiffness. Once you begin to move around you will feel the stiffness gradually fade, but this kind of stiffness lasts for as long as 45 minutes or maybe even longer.

Nail Problems
PsA is also responsible for many changes and problems in your nails, just like psoriasis. When you notice the formation of depressions in your fingernails or toenails (pitting), or the separation of the nail from the nail bed, it is definitely a symptom of PsA. These nail dysfunctions can be very similar to fungal infections. So, the appearance of indentations or the discoloration of the nails on either or both of your hands and feet means that you have psoriatic arthritis. If you let it advance into the later stages, your nails could very soon be damaged to the extent that they began to crumble.

Red Skin Patches
The skin problems associated with psoriasis are experienced by roughly 85% of the people diagnosed with PsA. These symptoms occur even before anyone notices any issues with their joints. People with PsA often notice a red scaly rash appearing on their body before anything else.

Fatigue
This autoimmune disorder makes people feel tired frequently because of the pain and inflammation caused by it. Certain medications for arthritis also cause people to experience some general fatigue. Therefore, people with Psa suffer a lot from being fatigued all the time, as it seems impossible for them to keep fit and active and makes conducting their daily activities exponentially harder. This can only result in further problems like mood swings and obesity.


Reduced Movement
Due to the swelling and tenderness in tendons and the stiffness and pain in joints, which are caused by PSA, your motion can be reduced. Also, your range of motion will depend on the number of joints that are affected and how severe the other symptoms are. Try to exercise on a regular basis as it helps in loosening up the joints, especially if you pick exercises that need to be performed with your range of motion.

Eye Pain
Research conducted on PsA and its symptoms states that 30% of the people are prone to eye inflammation/swelling and pain, lid swelling, vision, changes, and dry eye. Not treating a symptom such as dry eye can lead to the eye being permanently damaged and even interference with the effectiveness of glaucoma treatment. According to studies on this subject, it has been suggested that around 40-50% of patients with glaucoma also have dry eye syndrome.

Anemia
Anemia is yet another symptom cause by psoriatic arthritis. When you do not have enough of properly functioning red blood cells, the condition is known as anemia. Anemia, in turn, can have several health implications such as paleness, headaches, fatigue, and shortness of breath. However, the anemia which is brought about by PSA is rarely severe. When you experience symptoms of psoriatic arthritis your doctor will also perform a blood test to check for anemia.

Consult your doctor if you do have Psoriatic Arthritis or PsA
Since arthritis has many forms which are rather similar to each other, it would be best to consult your doctor if you think you might be having arthritis. A diagnosis can be made once you go through a full medical examination and discuss the details of your medical history and if you are witnessing any symptoms with your doctor.

A blood test may also be performed for detecting any telltale signs of psoriatic arthritis like anemia and high levels of inflammation. With the proper diagnosis and treatment you can be relieved of the pain caused by psoriatic arthritis and even prevent your joints from being permanently damaged.


11 Worst Drinks For Arthritis

When you have arthritis, inflammation is the enemy. Any food known to cause inflammation is better avoided unless you want to pay for it later with a painful flare-up. But it’s not just food. Your daily beverages can be the sneaky culprits behind inflammation as well.

And because drinks don’t need much in the way of digestion, they can cause a reaction faster than what you eat. That is, quite literally, a pain. However, it can also help you more easily determine which thing it was that caused the flare-up.


Not all arthritis sufferers experience these beverages the same way, but it’s important that you experiment with each of them in turn to find out what works and doesn’t work for your arthritis.

Following are the 11 beverages most likely to cause painful arthritis symptoms.

1. Energy Drinks
Energy drinks top the list because there is nothing good about them. The caffeine is at a level so extreme it has been linked to seizures and heart attacks. Add in several times the amount of sugar found in sodas and you’ve got a drink that is not safe to consume for anyone.

When it comes to arthritis, both sugar and caffeine can cause inflammation. Caffeine in particular has been found to trigger gout attacks. Energy drinks are also highly acidic, and some research indicates that highly acidic drinks can strip your bones of necessary calcium and hasten the degradation of joints.

2. Tap Water
It’s really important to stay hydrated, especially with arthritis. Water helps to lubricate your joints and support basically every process in your body. But tap water, depending on where you live, can contain a whole host of chemicals that may irritate your tissues and cause inflammation.

One extremely common example of an inflammatory compound found in tap water is fluoride. The levels may not bother most people, but can potentially trigger a flare-up in people with arthritis. Use a filtering pitcher or a faucet attachment to make sure what you’re drinking is clean and clear.

3. Tonic Water with Quinine
Quinine was once a popular treatment for arthritis, but the fact is that it just doesn’t work. There are medications similar to quinine, but they are most often prescribed for conditions like malaria when the alternative is death. The amount you’ll find in tonic water simply has no therapeutic effect when it comes to arthritis.

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has actually stepped in to limit the legal amount of quinine that can be added to tonic water because in large doses it can cause side effects ranging from dizziness to kidney damage and bleeding problems.

4. Regular Soda
Soda should be avoided by people with arthritis for the same reasons as energy drinks. They are loaded with sugar, caffeine, and acid. Soda is pretty much guaranteed to cause inflammation.


This combination of ingredients can trigger many other bodily ills as well, including weight gain. Being overweight indirectly influences your level of arthritis pain because it forces tender joints to bear more pressure than they should.

5. Diet Soda
Sorry, but switching to diet soda won’t make the difference if you’re trying to avoid arthritis pain. Artificial sweeteners come with their own side effects, and are just as prone to causing inflammation as refined white sugar or high fructose corn syrup.

Artificial sweeteners are chemical products that alter the balance of healthy gut bacteria. This means that the body struggles to metabolize glucose and in response it releases inflammatory cytokines. Normally the good bacteria in your gut can release anti-inflammatory compounds to compensate, but not if you’ve killed it all with fake sugar.

6. Beer
Beer can be troublesome for several reasons. First, it causes the body to release chemicals called purines when your liver breaks down the fructose it contains. Purines then metabolize into uric acid, the culprit behind gout.

Beer also contains gluten, which is highly inflammatory in people who are sensitive to it. And we can’t forget the alcohol, also extremely inflammatory in excess. Let’s look a little further into the effects of alcohol.

7. Alcohol
A couple of glasses of wine or a mixed drink is usually okay, but definitely skip the gin and tonic. However, if you imbibe to the point of drunkenness, you will set off a chain reaction that can result in quite a bit of joint pain.

Hangovers are caused by dehydration and inflammation, two things that throw arthritis sufferers for a major loop.

8. Fruit Juices
Fruit juice is troublesome in general because it contains a lot of sugar but none of the fiber that you’d get by eating the whole fruit. Fiber slows absorption of sugar and can keep your blood sugar levels steady.

The problem for people with arthritis is that juice often contains fructose. As fructose is digested, it creates those purines that later increase the level of uric acid in your body.

Gout sufferers especially should avoid fruit juice for that reason. One exception is tart cherry juice, which actually has anti-inflammatory compounds that can reduce arthritis pain.


9. Coffee
Coffee is a drink with points on both the pro and con sides. On one hand, it contains antioxidant polyphenols, which greatly reduce inflammation and minimize free radical damage to your cells.

On the other hand, it is contains caffeine, is pretty acidic, and is typically doctored with lots of sugar and cream.

Experiment with coffee to see if it helps or hurts your condition. In moderation, it could be quite beneficial. But in excess, especially with sugar and cream, the antioxidant benefits of coffee may be wiped out.

10. Milk & Other Dairy Products
Some people with arthritis may find that a type of protein in milk and dairy products called casein can trigger inflammation. Some types of arthritis may actually force the body to develop antibodies to casein on the mistaken assumption that it is a harmful foreign substance.

Those antibodies then spark inflammation which will trouble already tender joints. Fermented dairy products contain less casein and therefore may be more tolerable. This is an area that calls for experimentation, as you may find that dairy doesn’t bother your arthritis at all.

11. Tomato Juice
Tomatoes have long been categorized as bad for people with arthritis. The reason is that they contain solanine, an inflammatory substance.

Solanine is indeed toxic in large amounts, but what you’ll find in a tomato is generally harmless. No scientific connection has actually been found between solanine and arthritis flare-ups.

However, commercial tomato juices are positively loaded with salt. It’s best to limit your sodium intake if you have arthritis, especially if you take certain medications. Corticosteroids are commonly used to treat rheumatoid arthritis, and they cause greater retention of sodium.

While this is our best advice about the drinks it’s best to avoid with arthritis, in the end, you know your body best.

Take some time to experiment with these beverages one by one to determine which ones are triggers for you; a food journal can be very helpful to record the results. In the meantime, plenty of fresh, filtered water will help keep your joints lubricated.


Food Choices to Help Ease Arthritis Pain

Swelling, pain, stiffness, decreased range of motion in your joints. These are all symptoms of an all-too common condition known as arthritis. In fact, arthritis is so prevalent that it affects upwards of 54 million adults and 300,000 babies and children, and it has over 100 different related conditions. This is according to the Arthritis Foundation.


Rheumatoid arthritis, for one, falls under the autoimmune disease category, meaning that the body’s immune system to mistakenly attacking normal cells for no apparent reason. This means there is no medically known cause or cure.

Even so, many arthritis sufferers have found pain relief through certain food choices that include some of the following.

1. Cruciferous Vegetables
Broccoli, cauliflower, sprouts, and cabbage are all part of the family of cruciferous vegetables. These wonder foods contain carotenoids, vitamins C, E, and K, folate and are a good source of fiber. However, its the compound sulforaphane found in each has been linked to helping slow cartilage damage in joints due to osteoarthritis.

So, cook up some stir fry or make a salad filled with this goodness. You may find that holding that fork or tongs won’t be quite as painful as it used to be.

2. Garlic
Garlic may not get you a second date or goodnight kiss, but it could very well help subside some of your physical pain.

Garlic is a member of the allium family—which also includes onions and leeks. Garlic and these other veggies pack a big punch when it comes to nutrients, including vitamin B6,  manganese, selenium and vitamin C. Garlic also contains minerals including phosphorus, calcium, potassium, iron and copper.

However, it’s the sulfur compounds found in garlic (that may or may not cause your bad breath) that could be a key ingredient in ridding you of arthritis pain. In fact, studies have found that  these compounds reduce inflammation which is a large contributor  to arthritis and joint damage.


3. Water
If there’s such a thing as a magical drink, it’s water. Keeping your body hydrated is essential to ensure that the toxins are being flushed out of your body. Water lubricates your joints to help prevent gout flare ups.

Also, many people eat, thinking that they are hungry, when in fact, they’re actually thirsty, and in turn consuming extra calories that could lead to unnecessary weight gain. Drinking water, particularly before a meal will cause you to eat less, promoting weight loss. And experts say that being overweight can make arthritis, gout, lupus, fibromyalgia and other joint diseases and conditions worse.

4. Watermelon
While we’re on the topic of water, let’s talk about the very fruit that bears its name front and center: watermelon.

Watermelon is 92 percent water, which, as we know will help flush out all those toxins, lubricate joints, etc., etc. But, it isn’t just the water content that makes this fruit a fantastic choice for arthritis sufferers. Studies have found that Watermelon consumption improves inflammation and antioxidant capacity. It is also high in the carotenoid beta-cryptoxanthin, which can reduce the risk of rheumatoid arthritis.

5. Avocado
Move over salsa. Guacamole is in, and ready to take your dipping skills to the next level.

Avocados are rich and creamy, and it’s not the bad kind (think ice cream). The delightful texture of this fruit is due to its anti-inflammatory monounsaturated fat. Avocados are also rich in the carotenoid lutein, which is a powerful antioxidant. As it turns out, lutein and other antioxidants may protect against the development of rheumatoid arthritis by combating oxidative stress.

Avocados are also a good source of vitamin E, a fat-soluble nutrient that acts as an antioxidant, helping to protect cells from the damage caused by free radicals. And excessive free radical damage in the joint is the underlying problem of arthritis and the awful pain associated with it.


7 Foods To Eat To Prevent Arthritis

Achy joints, grinding pain, misshapen fingers – all of these are types of arthritis pain. Arthritis is a catch-all term for joint pain or joint disease. There are more than 100 different types and is the leading cause of disability in Americans.


If you have arthritis, you know how painful even mild cases can be. Since arthritis involves chronic inflammation, you are at risk for heart disease and other diseases triggered by inflammation.

There are four basic categories of arthritis, including degenerative (osteoarthritis), inflammatory (rheumatoid arthritis), infectious (from an infection), and metabolic (gout). All of these respond, at least in part, to an anti-inflammatory diet.


You’ll love the foods on this list. In fact, you may even opt for these foods if you don’t have arthritis!

7. Vitamin C Rich Foods
Love oranges? You’re in luck. Vitamin C slows progression of osteoarthritis. Get your Vitamin C from oranges, strawberries, pineapple, cantaloupe, broccoli, tomatoes, and bell peppers. Eat these raw, or as appropriate roasted or lightly steamed.

Try not to take supplements because too much Vitamin C can lead to kidney stones. Eating it is easier for your body to take what it needs and eliminate the rest. Vitamin C removes free radicals, lessening arthritis risk. It also helps repair bones, cartilage and other skeletal components.

6. Anthocyanins
Anthocyanins are antioxidants found in dark red or purple fruits and vegetables. Antioxidants remove free radicals. If you have gout or osteoarthritis, try eating tart cherries or drinking unsweetened tart cherry juice.

Anthocyanins also have anti-inflammatory, anti-viral, and anti-cancer properties. They’ve been shown to help heart disease, obesity and to ward off urinary tract infections. You can’t go wrong snacking on dark red or purple fruits and vegetables.

Plus, they are delicious in the form of strawberries, raspberries, blueberries, grapes and blackberries.

5. Omega-3 Rich Foods
Omega-3 fatty acids are healthy fats. Your body needs them for practically everything from improving your eye sight to boosting energy to fighting aging. Omega-3s are linked to improvements in rheumatoid and osteoarthritis.

The simplest way to get omega-3s is to eat fatty fish. Salmon, tuna, mackerel, and other similar ocean fish are full of fatty acids.

If you can’t stand fish, chia seeds, walnuts, omega-3 rich eggs, and nuts are great sources.

Change your cooking oils to extra virgin olive oil, avocado oil and walnut oil.

4. Turmeric
If you love Indian food, you are in luck. Turmeric is a commonly used spice that adds yellow color and tang to foods like curries. Tumeric is high in curcumin, an antioxidant and anti-inflammatory. It has a long history in folk medicine for warding off inflammatory diseases and now has research to back up the claims.

Add turmeric, eat curries and consider adding a supplement. The supplement is the fastest way to get the most benefit. Also add black pepper to your diet to increase absorption of curcumin.


3. Vitamin D and Calcium
Since arthritis is a bone disease, you need to support healthy bones. You need both Vitamin D and calcium. The fastest way to get both is through dairy products. Choose low fat versions and replace regular yogurt with Greek yogurt for greatest effect. Just make sure to get dairy with the lowest sugar and fats.

Other sources include leafy green vegetables like spinach, kale and broccoli. As a side benefit, broccoli contains sulforaphane, a compound that slows cartilage damage. Eat veggies raw, roasted or lightly steamed.

2. Green Tea
Drink away arthritis pain and cartilage destruction with green tea. Green tea contains polyphenols, antioxidants that reduce both cartilage damage and inflammation. It also contains epigallocatechin-3-gallate, an antioxidant that blocks production of certain molecules that worsen rheumatoid arthritis.

Green tea has positive effects on preventing cancer, melting belly fat, helping hangovers, and lessening depression, among many other benefits. It is worth adding a nice hot cup a green tea to your daily routine. Don’t ruin the health effects by adding sugars or artificial sweeteners.

1. Fiber
Fiber lowers C-reactive protein (CRP). This protein is a marker used by doctors to help diagnose heart disease, diabetes, and certain types of arthritis. Adding fiber to your diet is extremely important on many levels.

Add chia seeds, whole grains (not wheat) breads, oatmeal, brown or wild rice (not white), and red, kidney or pinto beans to your diet. As a side benefit, you’ll get folic acid and some trace elements important for good health.

Conclusion
Normal wear and tear, aging, inflammatory foods, and some infections can lead to arthritis. To help yourself lessen arthritis symptoms and improve your heart health, lessen diabetes risk, and decrease cancer risks, eat an anti-inflammatory diet.

Avoid processed meats and other foods, sugar and artificial sweeteners, trans fats (hydrogenated oils), and white bread/pasta/rice. Choose the healthiest carbs and limit intake. It does take a bit of effort. Start slowly. Eliminate one category of unhealthy food and add in one of the foods listed above. Once that food is firmly in your diet, replace another. It can be done! And you will feel much better.

Homemade Hot Pepper Cream For Arthritis And Joint Pain

The active component in hot peppers that gives them their heat is called capsaicin, and the hotter the pepper, the higher the level of capsaicin there is. While rubbing something that seems flaming hot onto your sore joints doesn’t initially seem like it would help arthritis, capsaicin cream is commonly sold OTC as a pain reliever. Why? Capsaicin depletes a neurotransmitter called substance P, which is responsible for sending pain signals to our brain. If we block the big P, we never get the memo that something is hurting, and therefore end up pain free. Instead of paying for the arthritis cream at the store, try making your own. It offers great peace of mind to know what exactly you are absorbing into your skin, and it’s rewarding to make yourself.


Note: It is normal for there to be somewhat of a burning sensation when first applied. If you have sensitive skin, use with caution. Always wear gloves when handling hot pepper powder, and avoid any contact with your eyes. If you wanted to look extra awesome when you make this, a pair of goggles isn’t a bad idea.


1. Original Capsaicin Cream Recipe
You will need…
-3 tablespoons of cayenne powder
-1 cup of grapeseed oil (or any other oil like almond, olive, jojoba)
-1/2 cup of grated beeswax
-A double boiler
-A glass jar with a tightly fitting lid

Directions
Mix together 3 tablespoons of cayenne powder with 1 cup of your oil of choice and heat in a double boiler for 5-10 minutes over medium heat. Stir in a 1/2 cup of grated beeswax and continue to stir until it has melted completely and everything is blended together. Chill the mixture in the refrigerator for 10 minutes, and then whisk together. Chill for another 10-15 and then whip again before putting it in a glass jar with a tightly fitting lid and storing in the refrigerator. It will keep for 1 ½ weeks-apply daily as needed for pain.


2. Super-Strength Cream
The hotter the pepper, the more capsaicin it has, making this cream super strength.

You will need…
-1 cup of beeswax
-4 tablespoons of Habanero powder
-4 cups of grapeseed or another oil, such as almond, jojoba, or olive
-Gloves
-A double boiler
-A glass jar with a tightly fitting lid

Directions
Combine 4 tablespoons of Habanero powder with 4 cups of grapeseed or olive oil in a double boiler. Let this mixture warm up over medium heat for 5-10 minutes. After it’s warmed, melt 1 cup of beeswax into the mixture and stir it until everything is smoothly blended together. Let it chill for 10 minutes in the refrigerator and then whisk together. Chill for another 10-15 minutes and then whip together once more before pouring into a glass container with a tightly fitting lid and refrigerating it. It should keep its potency for 1 1/2 weeks. Apply as needed for pain, stopping use if any irritation occurs.


3. Little Bit Extra Cream
This cream includes the other notable anti-inflammatory’s and pain reducers turmeric and ginger, as well as cayenne.

You will need…
-3 cups of grapeseed oil, or any other oil like almond, jojoba, or olive
-3 tablespoons of ground cayenne
-1/2 cup of beeswax
-3 tablespoons of turmeric
-2 tablespoons of ground ginger
-A double boiler


Directions
Mix together 3 tablespoons of ground cayenne, 3 tablespoons of turmeric, and 2 tablespoons of ground ginger. Add this to 3 cups of grapeseed oil in a double boiler and stir until mixed thoroughly. Warm over medium heat for 5-10 minutes and then add in 1/2 cup of beeswax. Stir until the beeswax has melted completely and everything is blended together, and then remove from heat and chill in the refrigerator for 10 minutes. After 10 minutes take it out and whisk it together and then refrigerate for another 10, blending it once more at the end. Put in a glass jar with a tightly fitting lid in the refrigerator, where it will keep for 1 ½ weeks. Apply as needed for pain, but with this cream, rub in as much as you can and then let it dry before rinsing off. The turmeric will really stain.


When you use your cream, really take the time to gently massage it into each aching joint. The little bit of stimulation helps get your circulation pumping and circulates blood through your joints. This gets much needed oxygen and nutrients to them, which is especially good for osteoarthritis. Don’t forget to wear gloves when handling super spicy stuff (like the habanero) and stop using if it causes too much irritation.

Important note on use!
If you don’t want the little bits of spices in there, follow the steps below to get a smooth infused oil to use in the cream (this makes it easier to get absorbed.)

Mix together your oil and spices for whichever recipe you choose to do. Heat over medium heat in a double boiler for 15 minutes, and then remove it to cool and infuse for 30 minutes. After 30 minutes, strain through a cheesecloth and reserve the infused oil. After it is strained melt the beeswax in a double boiler, and pour in the infused oil. Stir until blended thoroughly, and then follow the same steps for chilling, whipping, and storing as above.

Warning: These spices stain. Wear an apron or clothes you don’t mind putting at risk when making these.

How Apple Cider Vinegar Can Help You Treat Arthritis And Joint Pain

Apple cider vinegar has been a traditional home remedy for arthritis for thousands of years. Being easily available and not prohibitively expensive, apple cider vinegar’s healing and health-promoting properties were probably discovered by trial and error, but it’s been tested and proven time and again. Modern medicine may discredit it, citing lack of scientific evidence, but the positive experience of people is its greatest recommendation.


Sir Ranulph Fiennes, the British explorer, swears by a mixture of apple cider vinegar and honey for curing his arthritis symptoms, as well as those of his mothers.

Why apple cider vinegar?
Apple cider vinegar mainly consists of acetic acid, which gives it the sharp, tart taste. Acetic acid does help increase the absorption of calcium into the body and also provides an alkalizing effect when metabolized. However, all the beneficial effects of apple cider vinegar don’t come from acetic acid alone. It also contains many vitamins and minerals.


Apple cider vinegar contains high amounts of antioxidant chemicals, especially powerful polyphenolic compounds such as catechin, epicatechin, quercetin, and chlorogenic acid. They are responsible for its unparalleled healing power. Since these beneficial substances that pass from the fruit into the cider get further enhanced by microbial action as it turns into vinegar, the adage ‘an apple a day keeps the doctor away’ may be even truer here.

What type of apple cider vinegar is best for arthritis?
Apple cider vinegar can lessen the pain and swelling of the joints that characterizes different types of arthritis. However, not all types of apple cider vinegar are effective. You need to use pure vinegar naturally fermented from apple cider. As a matter of fact, any fruit juice or other carbohydrate-rich liquids that can be turned into ethyl alcohol (ethanol) by fermentation can be further fermented to get vinegar. It usually undergoes filtering and pasteurization before appearing on shop shelves. But this processing robs the vinegar of many of its natural healing properties.

Use raw, organic apple cider vinegar that is unfiltered and unprocessed. It should contain what is called the “mother of vinegar,” which gives the liquid a cloudy appearance. It is an active complex of polysaccharides, acetic acid bacteria, and fungi that continue to produce B-complex vitamins and other beneficial compounds. In fact, you can use this to make vinegar from apple juice or cider.

Which type of arthritis can be treated with apple cider vinegar?
There are over one hundred types and subtypes of arthritis. In fact, arthritis simply means inflammation of joints; it can be due to various reasons. However, osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, gout and psoriatic arthritis are some of the most commonly seen joint problems.

Osteoarthritis
This age-associated degenerative condition affects major joints such as hips, knees, and hands. Osteoarthritis results from the mechanical wear and tear of the joint structures, particularly the cartilage that covers the tips of bones. Mostly affecting middle-aged and older people, it is a major cause of loss of movement and disability. Since this condition is irreversible, and the only definitive treatment is a joint replacement, the focus is on managing the pain and discomfort and reducing further deterioration. That’s where apple cider vinegar comes in.


How to use ACV for osteoarthritis: Taking the vinegar, along with some raw honey to make it more palatable, is one of the best home remedies for osteoarthritis.

Add 1-2 tablespoons of ACV to plain water or an herbal tea and sweeten the drink with honey in a 1:1 or 2:1 ratio depending on your tolerance. You might see a significant difference in as little as a few weeks of using this remedy.

Rheumatoid arthritis
This type of arthritis is quite common and is characterized by stiffness in the joints accompanied by pain and marked reduction in range of motion of the affected joints. It can affect anyone, irrespective of age. The stiffness affects the small joints more often and is more marked in the morning. Prolonged joint stiffness as one gets out of bed is, in fact, the identifying feature of this diseases. This is an autoimmune condition can affect internal organs as well.

The exact cause of rheumatoid arthritis is not known, but free radical damage and toxins accumulating in the body are considered risk factors. Mineral deficiencies, especially the deficiency of calcium and magnesium exacerbate the condition. Conventional treatment involves taking certain drugs referred to as disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs or DMARDs as well as steroidal or non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs. These drugs help reduce the inflammation of the joints and pain, but they do have grave side effects, especially when used long-term.

Apple cider vinegar has been found to be very effective in relieving the painful symptoms of this condition. Being a good diuretic and laxative, apple cider vinegar helps eliminate toxins from the body. It is also rich in antioxidant substances that help counteract free radical damage that triggers immune reactions.

Apple cider vinegar contains minerals calcium, magnesium, potassium, iron and phosphorus and some vitamins. The mineral content in the vinegar may be low, but what’s important is that it promotes the absorption of minerals from food. Vinegar containing ‘mother’ is an excellent prebiotic that helps the intestinal flora. These microbes residing in the intestines are thought to play a serious role in immune modulation.


How to use ACV for rheumatoid arthritis: Besides drinking apple cider vinegar with honey once or twice a day, you can use it topically for local pain relief. Add 2 cups of ACV to your bath water and sit in it for 30 minutes before going to bed. This will help reduce morning stiffness.

A mixture of the vinegar in oil can be used externally on affected joints to bring relief. Add two parts of apple cider vinegar to 1 part of coconut oil or olive oil and massage the mixture in.

Gout
Gout is a cause of the joint pain and inflammation of the joints, especially in the limbs, when uric acid crystals accumulate. Excess uric acid in the blood due to the breakdown of purines that come from certain protein-rich foods such as meat and seafood, and its inefficient removal by the kidneys, is the main cause of gout. It is a very painful condition, often appearing suddenly, sometimes in sleep. People who have gout often report that regular use of apple cider vinegar help avoid episodes.

The acetic acid content of the vinegar is thought to be the main agent here. It alkalizes the body and helps neutralize the uric acid and prevents the formation of needle-like crystals.

How to use ACV for gout: A classic gout-relief recipe is taking 2 tbsp of apple cider vinegar in a cup of water twice a day. Make sure that the vinegar is natural, unfiltered, and unpasteurized, and that it contains the ‘mother.’

To get immediate pain relief at the site of inflammation, cover the area with a washcloth dipped in apple cider vinegar. Soaking your feet in a foot bath containing 1 cup vinegar in 4 cups warm water also helps.

Psoriatic arthritis
This is a type of arthritis most commonly seen in people who have active psoriasis or family history of this disorder. Psoriasis usually appears as patches of dry, flaky skin with itching or burning sensation. When occurring on the scalp, psoriasis often looks like an aggressive form of dandruff. Apple cider vinegar has a long history of being used topically to relieve the itching and burning, and it is reportedly quite effective.

People who have psoriatic arthritis often fail to get a correct diagnosis. The exact cause of psoriasis is not known, but it is considered an autoimmune condition like rheumatoid arthritis. Even if it’s correctly diagnosed, there’s no curative treatment for either psoriasis or psoriatic arthritis, so these conditions are often treated with immune-suppressing drugs. If one already has psoriasis and then develops pain in the joints, it is a good idea to use apple cider vinegar regularly.

How to use ACV for psoriatic arthritis: Apple cider vinegar can be incorporated into your daily diet by using it for pickling and as salad dressing in place of white vinegar. It offers many other health benefits like blood sugar control in diabetics and prediabetics and weight reduction. Since diabetes and obesity are known risk factors for arthritis, it may indirectly help reduce the symptoms. The effectiveness of apple cider vinegar can be further enhanced by mixing it with other naturally anti-inflammatory foods such as ginger, garlic, cinnamon, tart cherry juice and grape juice.