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Jícama: Expert opinions, health risks, and more

• Jicama flowers contain toxic compounds.
• Excessive consumption may lead to digestive disorders like constipation and stomach ache.

Bony growths in two areas could mean you are at risk of arthritis later in life - expert

Millions of Britons are currently living with arthritis and other joint problems. Depending on your diagnosis it can lead to painful, swollen and stiff joints, as well as mobility issues. While it is more common the older you are, there can be signs when you are younger that you could be at risk of the condition later in life.

There are two main types of arthritis, osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis.

Osteoarthritis is far more common in the UK.

It affects the smooth cartilage lining of the joint, making movement more difficult than usual and leading to pain and stiffness.

As the cartilage lining starts to thin out, the ligaments and tendons are forced to work harder, which can result in swelling.

It most commonly affects joints in the hands, spine, knees and hips.

Consultant rheumatologist who is working in partnership with GOPO Joint Health, Doctor Rod Hughes, spoke with Express.co.uk about some of the warning signs of osteoarthritis younger people could experience.

One warning sign was bony growths that could appear on your big toe or on finger joints.

He said: "Whilst arthritis typically develops in your mid-40s, there are some early signs to look out for which could indicate a future diagnosis.

"Joint pain and tenderness in or around a joint which is present for a prolonged period of time, as well as joint stiffness present in the morning or after long periods of inactivity are common early symptoms of arthritis.

"Occasionally younger people notice the development of extra bone on the joint of the great toe (bunion) or on the joints at the end of the fingers (Heberden's nodes) and these can be a sign of the development of osteoarthritis."

The Cleveland Clinic describes Heberden's nodes as "small, pea-sized bony growths" that "occur on the joint closest to the tip of the finger". 

Habits that could raise your risk of arthritis

Taking part in sport can increase the risk of arthritis when you're older.

Dr Hughes said: "Those who partake in intense sporting activities are somewhat at a greater risk of developing arthritis, often as a result of an injury to a specific joint such as the knee or shoulder.

"In fact, research shows that almost 50 percent of individuals who sustain a major knee injury go on to develop knee osteoarthritis later down the line.

"If a joint is not allowed to heal correctly, with appropriate rest and physiotherapy, cartilage deterioration can be accelerated causing prolonged joint pain and stiffness so it's important to take rehabilitation seriously and follow advice from your doctor.

"In addition, although you cannot change your genetic background, a family history of arthritis can mean you may be predisposed to the condition as you get older."  

Arthritis© Express.co.uk

Reducing the risk of arthritis

"Prevention really is key to maintaining long-term joint health and there are many things that can be done to help slow or stop the development of arthritis," Dr Hughes added.

"Maintaining a healthy body weight which avoids additional strain on the weight-bearing joints is crucial, coupled with regular exercise and a balanced diet inclusive of anti-inflammatory foods, such as green leafy vegetables, fatty fish and nuts.

"Alongside this, natural supplements can offer additional support, helping to protect joints from the inside out."

Common symptoms of arthritis include:

Professional FAQs: What are the benefits of turmeric ?

Expert opinion from Ponna Geethanjali

Curcumin is the active compound in turmeric which exhibits anti-inflammatory, antiaging, antibiotic and anti-oxidant properties, it also leads to several changes to molecular level that may help, prevent, perhaps treat cancer. 1-2 gm of curcumin is recommended for its medicinal effects. It is rich in potassium hence not recommended in excess for patients suffering from chronic kidney disease. 

Up to 92% of patients with blood clots in their lungs report 'tachypnea' - classic symptom

Blood clots can form anywhere in the body where the blood has thickened due to an injury Unfortunately, approximately one in three cases are misdiagnosed, putting hundreds of thousands of patients in peril of death. Recognising the classic symptoms of pulmonary embolism could heighten the chances of curative treatment.

The Iranian journal Emergency, in 2014, stressed the importance of a well-timed diagnosis and management of pulmonary embolism for decreasing mortality.

The authors of the report explained: "Because of the lack of [...] signs and symptoms, the diagnosis remains vague."

They continued: "The classic symptoms of dyspnea, tachypnea, and decreased oxygen saturation may occur in up to 92 percent of cases."

According to Medicine Plus, Tachypnea is a medical term used by healthcare providers to describe breathing that is too fast.

The term refers to fast, shallow breathing from lung disease or other medical causes, and differs from hyperventilation, where breathing is rapid but deep.

Dyspnea, which describes a tightening in the chest, air hunger, difficulty breathing and a feeling of suffocation, can occur within seconds of an embolism forming.

"[...] Because of numerous atypical presentations, physicians must focus on other clinical features to include or exclude them as possible diagnoses," added the authors of the report.

In prior research, abdominal pain has been observed in around seven percent of patients with pulmonary embolisms.

Other symptoms that may accompany abdominal pain are nausea, diarrhoea and vomiting often accompany abdominal pain.

Roughly 30 to 40 percent of blood clot cases go unnoticed, however, since they do not manifest with typical symptoms.

In fact, a great number of patients fail to recognise that they have a deep vein clot until it causes a more serious condition.

The main danger with blood clots deep inside the vein is that they can break off and travel through the bloodstream.

The condition only proves fatal when blood clots reach the lungs, as the rest of the organs rely on them for oxygen.

Doctor Andrei Kindzelski, an NIH blood disease expert explained that before a person suffers pulmonary embolism, they may experience swelling, pain, warmth and redness of the leg.

How to avoid blood clots

Taking steps to reduce the chances of a blood clot forming in the veins can help people avoid potentially life-threatening health problems.

The most crucial step in avoiding pulmonary embolism is preventing blood clots in the deep veins of the legs. 

 

thrombosis© Getty

Because these can form during surgery, most hospitals adopt aggressive measures to prevent blood clots, in the form of blood thinners.

Being overweight or obese can exert additional pressure on the veins in the pelvis and legs, doubling the risk of venous thromboembolism.

WebMD also advises steering clear of the following foods:

The main danger with these products is that they cause lingering inflammation in the body, which has been shown to increase the risk of thrombosis.