Arthritis is painful! Joints like your fingers or knees hurt, the back hurts and it’s hard to get out of bed in the morning. You may have osteoarthritis as an aging issue or because of a previous injury suffered years ago. The first happens as the body gradually wears and tears cartilage (the cushioning substance that adjoins bones); the second happens because of an old sports injury or accident that healed but is remembered by the injured site and pops up again because of continued wear and tear over time.

Has your MD told you that it’s incurable but suggested that you take “this drug” to help alleviate the pain? Let’s examine a possible other cause of your pain.

Check out your diet. Sometimes allergies cause pain in other places besides your stomach or head. Write down everything you eat (everything includes snacks, cough drops, etc.) for at least one full week or up to a month. Include in your notes how you are feeling when you get up out of bed and before you eat, and again after you eat each meal. Make a note of what products are included in the meals, such as fresh, frozen or packaged foods, or like milk, peanuts, wheat, processed foods containing hydrogenated oils or margarine, like those found in potato chips, etc. As the week or month progresses watch for a pattern. At the end of the week have you noticed that your pain is more prevalent after eating certain foods? Some allergies can take days to show up after consumption of the product, so examine the entire week or month.

Talk to your doctor and get an allergy test if any pattern does show up or you are left with questions or possibilities. This test will verify your suspicions and keep your doctor informed of your needs. Eliminating foods that you are allergic to can make a huge difference in your overall well-being, and you may find out that eliminating foods to which you are allergic will also eliminate your arthritic pain.