Myths & Facts

Myth:
Arthritis are caused by non-medical factors, e.g. ‘bad wind’, too much bathing, taking a bath in the evening, allergy to certain foods, heavy metals in food or the environment, ingesting cold food or drinks, or air-conditioning.

Fact:
There is no evidence to indicate that climatic factors (such as cold, wet or wind) or too much bathing cause arthritis though changes in barometric pressures may make joints feel worse.   Similarly, arthritis is not caused by particular foods, cold food or drinks, heavy metals in food or the environment, or air-conditioning.

Myth:
Arthritis are hereditary.

Fact:
These conditions are seldom passed on directly from parent to child, although some families seem to be susceptible to certain types of arthritis.

Myth:
Arthritis are caused by bathing or overworking during the first weeks after having a baby.

Fact:
These conditions are not caused by bathing or overworking in the weeks after giving birth and women can safely bathe during this time without putting themselves at risk of developing arthritis.

Myth:
Arthritis are diseases of the bone only.

Fact:
Although the symptoms of arthritis generally originate around the ends of bones and in the joints, patients may develop low-grade fever, and feel tired or generally unwell.

Myth:
All arthritic diseases are ‘gouty’ diseases.

Fact:
Gout is a specific type of arthritis caused by urate crystals forming in the joints (usually in the feet).  Gout attacks are often sudden in onset and extremely painful.  Other types of arthritis are generally slower in onset and are not caused by urate crystals in the joint the majority of people with raised uric acid do not have and will never get gout .

Myth:
Arthritis and rheumatism are caused by particular foods, e.g. animal internal organs (such as heart or liver), nuts, dairy foods, acidic foods (e.g tomatoes).

Fact:
Gout is associated with diets high in purines (high levels of purines are found in animal internal organs, meat extracts, and oily fish), but there is no evidence that particular foods cause other arthritic conditions.

Myth:
Arthritis and rheumatism are caused by aging

Fact:
Some types of arthritis (e.g. rheumatoid arthritis) can occur at any age.   Osteoarthritis is a joint disease that tends to manifest itself with advancing years.

Myth:
Arthritis and rheumatism are caused by cracking one’s knuckles

Fact:
Prolonged overuse of particular joints (usually in certain occupations) may increase the risk of arthritis in those joints.  But periodic cracking of one’s knuckles is not a risk factor for arthritis.

Myth:
Rheumatoid arthritis is caused by some sort of infection.

Fact:
There is some research to suggest that certain bacteria and viruses are associated with the development of rheumatoid arthritis, but the exact cause of rheumatoid arthritis is still unknown.  It is like y to be a complex interaction between biological (possibly infective), hormonal and genetic factors

Myth:
Arthritis originate in the uterus.

Fact:
Arthritis are musculoskeletal diseases, and do not originate from the reproductive organs.