Alcohol May Help In Alleviating Arthritis

Finally, a new study has given some good news to drinkers

. Drinking may help in reducing the severity of the rheumatoid arthritis related symptoms. Rheumatoid arthritis is a immune system disorder that affects the joints, causes inflammation, pain, and swelling. According to the study, non drinkers are at elevated risk of developing rheumatoid arthritis compared to drinkers.

The study from the University of Sheffield and the Sheffield Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust looked at if the frequency of alcohol drinking had any effect on the possibility of developing rheumatoid arthritis or its severity. For this, the study included 873 white rheumatoid arthritis patients and compared with 1,004 healthy controls. The study team evaluated the severity of symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis by using questionnaires, joint X rays, and different blood tests to judge inflammation.

It was found that non drinkers were approximately four times more prone to develop arthritis compared to people who had at least one drink three or more days per week. The researchers also established that patients with rheumatoid arthritis who consumed alcohol tend to have less severe symptoms compared to non drinkers. Also, more frequent alcohol consumption was related with milder symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis. The researchers indicated that higher consumption of alcohol is linked with a noteworthy dose dependent decrease in vulnerability to arthritis.

Also, there is a link between increased frequency of alcohol intake and decreased severity of arthritis.

The exact mechanism is not clear but the researchers believe that alcohol has some painkiller action and it reduces the immune activity that can account for reduction in severity of rheumatoid arthritis. This must not be taken in a way that patient with rheumatoid arthritis should aim for near by liquor stores.

The study only looked at how many days in a month the participants drank and not the amount they consumed at each sitting. This does not provide a best picture to conclude a story, so the link between alcohol use and rheumatoid arthritis stays hazy. Also, some medication used for treatment of arthritis like methotrexate with alcohol can invite serious liver injury. It is advised to avoid alcohol in such circumstances.

Drinking alcohol may not essentially prevent the arthritis there are many other genetic, environmental as well as hormonal factors that can influence the final outcome. More research is required to confirm the evident benefits of drinking on rheumatoid arthritis. This research should not be used as a reason to indulge in alcohol. As its well known fact that alcohol is related to various diseases involving various organs.

Even if the study in future is able to draw an absolute parallel between alcohol consumption and prevention of arthritis. Still many issues will remain such as dosing. Because the way everyone metabolizes alcohol is different. Some individuals are able to quickly metabolize alcohol in their body but many others have slower biochemical reactions. Hence the dosing of alcohol as a treatment for arthritis will remain an unresolved issue. Moreover the social and health implications for alcohol consumption are simple unacceptable. Hence it might never be used as a prevention tool for arthritis.

by: Anita Brown

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