Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) affects approximately 2.1 million people in the United States. Over 70 percent of RA sufferers are women between the ages of 30 and 50, but it can affect people of both sexes and all ages.

What is RA?

RA is one of eighty conditions known as autoimmune diseases. In a healthy immune system, your body responds to harmful substances such as bacteria or viruses by launching white blood cells, inflammatory chemicals, and other compounds to surround and destroy the invading organisms. In autoimmune disease, the body sees its own tissue as foreign, launching compounds to destroy its own healthy tissue. For sufferers of RA, the inflammatory response is most often targeted at the synovium, or lining, of the joints, although other organs may be affected. People with RA may experience painful and swollen joints, fatigue, or loss of appetite. In severe cases, it can result in deformed joints, loss of mobility, or total disability. The symptoms may last years or flare-up only occasionally. The exact causes of RA are unknown, although genes, hormones, and the environment may play a role. Interestingly, in women, the symptoms of RA often subside during pregnancy, or may begin or intensify after a baby is born. This has led researchers to suspect that gender may also play a role in the development and progression of RA.

Natural Approaches for Managing RA

If you suffer from RA, many natural approaches exist that can help alleviate your symptoms, including:

• A healthier diet. Saturated fats have been shown to incite the body's inflammatory response. Lowering your intake of saturated fat may help reduce the inflammation in your joints.
• Regular exercise. Low- to moderate-intensity exercise helps to ease the pressure on stressed, inflamed joints by helping you lose weight and strengthening your muscles.
• Herbs and supplements, such as hops, ginger, and turmeric have anti-inflammatory properties that may alleviate symptoms of RA. Be sure to inform your healthcare provider of any supplements you are taking.
• Alternative therapies such as massage, acupuncture, and acupressure have been shown to increase endorphins, the body's own pain-killers.

If you're interested in managing your RA using natural methods, talk with your healthcare provider. Together you can develop a plan to help you return to health.