A Question on Joint Stiffness & Edema
Dr Kevin Lee answered Lianhe Zaobao reader's questions in July on her joint stiffness and edema condition.
In the morning, she would wake up to stiff and swollen fingers that would go off after half an hour. After having laid or seated down for long hours, the sole of her feet feels needle sharp pain whenever she gets up to walk. The pain went off after a while but comes back again after walking for too long. She also has edema problems, with swollen eyelids in the morning and swollen legs after a day's activity.
She would like to try health supplements and possibly a diet change to manage those conditions and prevent them from getting worse. She was interested to know: What health supplements are suitable for her? Are there any health concerns when taking supplements? What should she look out for in her diet and lifestyle?
Dr Lee said that there are two possible reasons for her morning stiffness: osteoporosis and rheumatoid arthritis. About 70% of patients who have rheumatoid arthritis often complain about joint stiffness in the morning, especially the fingers. Rheumatoid arthritis can be diagnosed fron a blood test.
As for the need sharp pain at her sole, it can be attributed to plantar fasciitis. Plantar fasciitis is a condition of inflammation of the ligament from the toe to heel bone. The pain comes from the inflamed ligament when pressure is put on the soles. Some stretching exercises and anti-inflammatory medication would help alleviate the condition.
The joint stiffness in her fingers and the plantar fasciitis condition suggest that she likely has rheumatoid arthritis. Also, the edema condition is usually associated with problems with the heart, liver and kidney. As such, she should consult a doctor as soon as possible.
She should choose to take herbal health supplements like Jointplex Pro, which contains natural herbs like ginger, tumeric, boswellia and winter cherry to help alleviate swelling and inflammation. However, any such supplements should be taken with a doctor's advice and medical examination to ensure its suitability. An active lifestyle is also important to maintain good joint health. Exercises like brisk walking, swimming and cycling are recommended.
Read the full Lianhe Zaobao article in Mandarin. 阅读联合早报原篇。