How to Stop an Arthritis Flare

An arthritic flare-up can be caused by numerous factors including a change in the weather, stress and being overly active. To avoid these periods of increased disease activity, which are called flare-ups or flares, you need to take certain precautions. Eating the wrong foods may also contribute to this condition.

Things You'll Need

• Ergonomically correct tools

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Instructions

• 1

  Use tools that minimize joint stress, advises Health.msn.com. Purchase ergonomically correct tools or modify those that you have so that they are easier to hold and don't aggravate your arthritis.

• 2

  Change your diet. Some foods that may promote arthritic flares include potatoes, tomatoes, peppers (all colors) and eggplant, which are in the nightshade or solanaceae family, according to TheHerbalCupboard.com. The reason these foods reportedly aggravate arthritis is because they contain solanine, which is a chemical that promotes the color change in these foods. Solanine may aggravate arthritis because it is a bitter and poisonous alkaloid that inhibits nerve impulses. However, dietitian Joanne Larsen of Dietitian.com disagrees with the solanine theory, stating that there isn't adequate medical research to support the connection between solanine and arthritic flares, adding that the National Center for Complimentary and Alternative Medicines warns against eliminating these foods.

• 3

  Carefully study which foods may reduce the build-up of cholinesterase. Norman F. Childers, Ph.D, did a study in 1993, the results of which showed that eating nightshade foods results in too much cholinesterase, which may inhibit steroids and glycoalkaloids, causing pain, stiffness, muscle spasms and inflammation. The less cholinesterase that the body produces the less agile the body will be, and joint stiffness and deterioration may be exacerbated. Dr. Childers found that nightshade foods mostly affect rheumatoid arthritis (RA).

• 4

  Figure out if certain foods are causing your arthritis flare-ups. Start eliminating foods from your diet, one by one. Some foods that may be culprits include some vegetables oils and saturated animal fats that can lead to tissue and joint inflammation. Vegetables oil, such as sunflower-, corn- and safflower oils break down arachidonic acids, which form the units for leukotrienes and prostaglandins, which cause inflammation and pain. All4naturalhealth.com reports that pork, coffee, beef, wheat, corn, eggs and peanuts have been associated with flares. MSG, nitrates and salt may also exasperate your arthritic condition.

• 5

  Don't stop exercising but don't overdo it. Extreme work-outs may cause arthritic flares. Try to get enough rest. If you are feeling stressed, make an effort to calm down, regroup and take a breather. Stress isn't good for you and particularly not if you are combating arthritis.