In the news this week!

I read a couple articles this week ticked me off. 

The first one was an article claiming most RA patients die 10 years earlier of premature heart disease.  When I was first diagnosed and researched RA, way back in 1984, it was believed our life expectancy was shortened by 5 years.  So what happened?  Where has the extra 5 years gone?

Personally, I don’t believe this but if it is true, it might be a blessing in disguise.  I’m 50 years old this year and with the progression of this disease I’m not so sure I want to be here at 70 or 75. I’m not trying to be negative or depressing. But with all the help I need now to get through the day, I can only imagine what I will be like at that age. I would have to be put into a home because I doubt my husband (who’s health also isn’t good) could look after me at that stage and I don’t want to live in a senior’s home.

This article states, "The majority of the delay is on the part of the patient." Apparently we wait too long to go to the doctor for a diagnosis because we think it is the normal aches and pains of growing older. Most with RA first notice symptoms in our mid 20’s to mid 30’s. We do not think the pain we are suffering with is because we are getting older. From what I read on our blogs a lot of those with RA have a problem with their doctors not taking them seriously or we can’t be given the new medication which is showing success because our medical system insists we start at the bottom and work our way up to the more effective ones or they are simply too expensive without an extended medical plan.

I do agree with both articles that state the sooner we are diagnosed and given aggressive treatment the better. We feel rather invincible in our mid 20’s. but it needs to made very clear that we need to eat a healthy diet, do low impact exercises every day (the bad days do only Range of Motion), see an occupational therapist to find out what we should do differently to protect our joints and trust our instincts when it comes to our medical treatment. If we don’t feel we are receiving the right effective treatment we should talk to our doctor and if he won’t listen, find another one who will!

Life is too short not to look after ourselves properly and according to research it is getting shorter. Oh, and don’t believe everything you read.

Black vs Green – Tea that is!

Earlier this month I read an article over at HealthCentral.com regarding a U.S. study from Georgetown University that stated drinking black tea increased the risk of RA in post-menopausal women. Apparently women between the ages of 50 and 79 who drink black tea increase their risk of developing RA by 40%. Women who drink more than 4 cups a day increased their risk by a whopping 78%.

My first thought with was, RA strikes most of us long before we reach the post-menopausal stage, often in our mid to late 20’s; so just how important is this study to the onset of RA? But for those of you do not have RA and have reached the post-menopausal age you may want to cut out or cut back your black tea consumption or at least investigate this claim a bit further.

I searched the net to see if I could find any information on the effects these teas had on RA patients.

This is what I found.

Black Tea

• Contains an anti-oxidant called quercelin which fights inflammation and helps with a healthy immune function.
• Reduces the risk of stroke and heart attacks.
• Reduces the production of LDL – bad cholesterol
• Has less caffeine than coffee
• Slows the absorption of blood sugar

While I was researching for this post I came across this unique Libre Tea Glass – for those who like to enjoy their loose tea on the go!

Green Tea

There is almost nothing but positive information about green tea.

•  Has antioxidant called EGCG (Epigallocatechin gallate) may decrease inflammation by blocking the chemical chain reaction and help prevent joint damage in RA
• Has less caffeine than coffee and black tea
• Contains amino acid L-theanine which helps to relieve stress
•  Helps avoid tooth decay and helps create healthy gums
• Reduces the risk of stroke and heart attacks
•  Helps prevent cognitive damage
• Promotes weight loss
• Increases energy levels
•  Helps promote a healthy bowel function (I did find one site where someone became constipated after increasing her use)

Tea Plantation

It’s interesting that both teas claim different health benefits (mostly). I love my cups of tea, usually black, but after looking at all these results I plan to switch some of those cups to green tea. I want the best of both worlds.

I also recently read about drinking 1 cup of red wine a day reducing the onset of RA by 50%.  I wish I’d known that in my early 20’s, lol. I will say, on a personal note, one glass of wine or alcoholic beverage does reduce my stress level and takes the edge off my pain.

Please note:

1) Alcohol abuse is linked to liver cirrhosis, cardiovascular disease, fetal abnormalities, various cancers, chronic inflammation, etc. and increases the risks of hemorrhagic strokes due to its anti-clotting effects.

2) Caution must always be taken when mixing alcohol with any prescription medications.