Although it’s not fully understood, there seems to be a link between the gut and joints, says Harry D. Fischer, MD, the chief of rheumatology at Lenox Hill Hospital in New York City. For example, a bacterial infection in the digestive tract can cause a reactive type of arthritis, he notes. In addition, both arthritis and ulcerative colitis have a genetic component. According to the Crohn’s and Colitis Foundation, people with ulcerative colitis tend to have one of three forms of arthritis:
Peripheral arthritis (PA), which affects large joints such as the knees, ankles, elbows, or wrists; when IBD is properly treated and controlled, PA joint pain and symptoms typically improveAxial arthritis, which causes pain and stiffness in the spine and lower backAnkylosing spondylitis, a more severe type of arthritis that affects the spine and can lead to joint damage. It’s an uncommon complication that affects between 2 and 3 percent of people with IBD.
To lower your arthritis risk, follow these dos and don’ts. RELATED: Your Total Body Ulcerative Colitis Check-in Talk to your gastroenterologist about joint pain. You might think your gastroenterologist doesn’t need to hear about your achy joints, but they should be the first person you speak to about your symptoms, says Amar Naik, MD, an associate professor of medicine and the director of the inflammatory bowel disease program at Loyola University Health System in Maywood, Illinois. Tell your doctor which joints are affected, whether the pain is moving from one joint to another, and if there’s swelling. You should also clarify whether your ulcerative colitis is in remission or if you’re in a flare, Dr. Naik says. Your gastroenterologist can help advise you on how to treat the symptoms. “If those things aren’t working, going to a rheumatologist can be very helpful,” he adds. Keep moving. Range-of-motion exercises are particularly important for people with axial arthritis, but any type of regular exercise — when you’re not in a flare, that is — can help you reduce arthritis symptoms as well as maintain a healthy weight, boost energy, and stay healthy overall. Yoga and tai chi, which work on range of motion, may be helpful, Naik says. He recommends wearing proper footwear and avoiding high-impact exercises. Work with a physical therapist. This is an important part of your treatment plan, Fischer says. Because arthritis can limit your range of motion, a physical therapist can give you a plan to improve your flexibility and strength while reducing any pain. Maintain a healthy diet. Choosing anti-inflammatory foods may help ease arthritis pain. These include foods that are rich in omega-3 fatty acids, like fatty fish (salmon and mackerel, for instance), olive oil, fiber- and protein-packed beans, antioxidant-rich fruits, vegetables, and green tea, notes the Arthritis Foundation. You may also want to cook with or take a supplement of turmeric, Naik suggests. It contains a substance called curcumin, which may help prevent or reduce inflammation, per the Arthritis Foundation. There is some evidence, such as a study published in August 2015 in Clinical Gastroenterology and Hepatology, that curcumin, when taken in conjunction with drug therapy for IBD, may help ease symptoms of mild to moderate ulcerative colitis. RELATED: 6 Need-to-Know Nutrients for Ulcerative Colitis Do treat arthritis pain. If you’re bothered by symptoms, talk to your doctor about the best treatment for your arthritis pain.
Avoid These Pitfalls to Prevent Arthritis
Sometimes, the steps you don’t take are just as important as the ones you do. Don’t ignore joint pain. Pain from ulcerative colitis and arthritis can feel similar, Naik says. Any time you’re feeling new or worsening symptoms, be sure to discuss it with your gastroenterologist. Avoid taking NSAIDs. Although this is not true for everyone with ulcerative colitis, NSAIDs (nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs) like ibuprofen, naproxen, and aspirin can trigger or worsen UC symptoms, Harvard Health notes. Don’t smoke. Smoking can cause many different health problems, but it’s also linked to more severe joint damage among people with inflammatory arthritis, including ankylosing spondylitis, according to the Arthritis Foundation. Limit fatty foods. Try to avoid saturated fat (found in foods derived from animals, like butter, cheese, and meat) and trans fats (used in processed foods), which tend to increase inflammation. Don’t let your weight creep up. When you have arthritis, extra pounds add stress to weight-bearing joints like the knee, ankle, or hip, Fischer says. Additional reporting by Ashley Welch.
