Myths and urban legends exist all around us, and university towns are definitely no exception. There’s the longtime legend at Indiana University that the library is slowly sinking due to an overload of books! That’s obviously not true (or else the librarians have been bailing books out of it for decades). Myths surround other topics too, such as arthritis. Here are some things to take with a grain of salt when it comes to the condition and managing its symptoms.
There’s Only One Form of Arthritis – We’ve already debunked this in previous blogs. Arthritis can stem from many causes, from purely mechanical osteoarthritis to the autoimmune disease of rheumatoid arthritis. Knowing which kind is present has a big effect on treatment.
Only the Elderly Get It – According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, about two-thirds of people with arthritis are below the age of 65. It can affect anyone, even children.
Tomatoes Make Arthritis Worse – There is a tale that eating vegetables from the nightshade family, such as potatoes, tomatoes, and peppers, can worsen symptoms of arthritis. There is no real evidence to back this up, and the nutritional benefits of these foods don’t make them worth setting aside just in case—if you like them, of course.
Tumeric Greatly Helps Arthritic Symptoms – On the other side of the food spectrum, some believe spices such as turmeric and ginger can be a natural cure for inflammation. While it’s true these spices do have anti-inflammatory properties, there’s not much science right now to determine what affect they have on arthritis and how much is needed for a tangible payoff. It certainly doesn’t hurt to include these spices in your diet, but you wouldn’t want to fully rely on them.
The truth is that managing arthritis takes personalized attention and care. If you are struggling with stiffness and pain in your feet or ankles, come see Dr. Kevin Powers in Bloomington. Our practice can help you find the best ways to keep arthritis from interfering with your quality of life—no lie! Call us at (812) 333-4422 or contact us online and we’ll be happy to schedule an appointment with you.
