Comsume desi ghee to avoid arthritis: Expert

Manav Mander

Tribune News Service

Ludhiana, October 11

Include one spoon of ‘desi’ ghee in your diet to avoid problems in knee joints. This is the advice given by experts in the wake of World Arthritis Day on October 12.

Among the various types of arthritis affecting people, osteoarthritis is the most common, followed by rheumatoid arthritis.

While osteoarthritis generally affected the Indian population with more than 40 years with knee joint pain, rheumatoid arthritis is a severe form of arthritis which can occur a at any age. Approximately one in 15 adults in India is affected by this autoimmune disease, specially the women.

“Long standing disease can also affect eyes, lungs and nerves. Inadequate treatment for long can sometimes also affect kidneys. With effective treatment, patients can find complete relief in pain, swelling and stiffness of joints. It is important to recognise and treat this disease early to prevent joint deformities and other complications,” said Dr Vikas Gupta from Dayanand Medical College and Hospital.

Children and adolescents can also be affected by various forms of arthritis. More awareness about arthritis needs to be spread among general public so that treatment can be started early and long- term damage to joints can be prevented, he added further.

Meanwhile, Dr JL Bassi Hospital organised a seminar on the occasion. JL Bassi, Director of the hospital, talked about arthritis and cure.

Dr Dhiren Bassi (orthopaedic surgeon) said arthritis was not synonymous with old age anymore. “In fact, young urban Indians have now become more vulnerable to arthritis,” he said.

Doctors blamed factors such as sedentary lifestyle, excessive workout in gyms, intake of alcohol with steroids, intake of junk food, more consumption of tea, and wearing high heels for arthritis.

One can prevent the disease by consuming a balanced diet, increasing the intake of green leafy vegetables, maintaining body weight and by adding one table spoon of “desi ghee” in diet to avoid knee replacement in future, said doctor Bassi.

“Due to the changing food habits and lack of physical activities, youngsters are being diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis,” said Dr Chanchal Gera, senior rheumatologist of SPS Hospital.

Dr Sanjeev Mahajan, Director of Orthopaedics, Joint Replacement and Arthroscopic Surgery Department of Fortis Hospital, said: “Osteoporosis is common among the elderly, especially in those in their 50s and onwards.” Delivering awareness talk at the hospital, he said it was a disease wherein bones become fragile and are vulnerable to fracture.

Free check-up camp

On the occasion of World Arthritis Day, a hip and knee arthritis check-up camp will be held at Ludhiana Mediways Hospital. Bhagwan Singh Bhau, chairman of the hospital, said: “Treatment for various reasons has been very expensive. Because of this, poor people can only come and get treatment in free check-up camps. Ludhiana Mediways has started free OPD every month so that every needy person can take urgent advice from specialists and get treatment.