Ruth asks This Morning doctor about milk helping arthritis
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In the UK, more than 10 million people have arthritis or other, similar conditions that affect the joints, according to the NHS. People will experience different symptoms depending on their type of arthritis, but there are several common signs to look out for.
Common symptoms of arthritis include pain, swelling and stiffness in one or more joints. A lot of people will experience pain or discomfort.
“It can reduce sex drive and cause physical discomfort and make having sex less enjoyable,” according to the charity Versus Arthritis.
The charity has put together several tips that people might find helpful.
It suggests that most of the time “you only need to make small changes to continue having a healthy sex life”.
If you are trying for a baby, the charity suggests discussing this with your doctor, although there’s no reason why arthritis should prevent you from having children.
This is so they can give you advice on what drugs you should or shouldn’t be taking because some of the drugs you’re likely to be taking for your arthritis may need to be changed.
The charity suggests you communicate with your partner about any concerns you might have about your arthritis, including if you feel self-conscious about swollen joints.
You might also want to plan ahead with painkillers if this might be an issue for you, “this may not seem very spontaneous but it’s worthwhile if it makes sex more comfortable,” the charity notes.
There are also certain positions which may be more comfortable, if one position puts a strain on your joints.
You could also “try using cushions, pillows or different pieces of furniture to support you”, the charity states.
The symptoms you experience will vary depending on the type of arthritis you have.
Some common ones alongside joint pain, are warm red skin over the affected joint and weakness and muscle wasting.
The two most common types of arthritis in the UK are osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis.
There are some lifestyle changes which can help arthritis sufferers.
One, might be to lose weight if you are overweight.
Carrying excess weight on your body puts extra pressure on the hip and knee joints, making them weaker and more likely to become arthritic.
By keeping a healthy weight, doing regular exercise and cutting out refined sugar from the diet, as well as eating smaller portions you can successfully manage your symptoms.
Speak to your doctor to find out more about losing weight if you are concerned about your current weight and eating habits, the NHS advises.
Smoking is also linked to the development of rheumatoid arthritis, particularly for people who have smoked 20 years or longer.
Smokers also have an increased risk of more-severe arthritis.
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