Arthritis is an autoimmune disorder in which your body attacks healthy joint tissue. It tends to affect the small joints in your hands and feet first. Then other joints, like the shoulders and elbows, start to become painful. A lot of triggers like lack of vitamin D and certain dietary choices can cause arthritis but, there are other lifestyle habits and environmental factors that can potentially cause inflammation and joint pain. Here are the most surprising ones.

1. High Heels

You know that squeezing our tootsies into incredibly pretty but painful shoes can have crippling consequences. But turns out that high heels can have worse consequences. Wearing high heels frequently can cause stiffness and pain in the joints. It can also potentially cause arthritis so it is best that you go for round-toed shoes instead of pointy options with a maximum height of one- inch and whenever possible buy shock absorbent shoes. Home Remedy of the Week: How to Treat Arthritis Pain With Clove Oil or Cloves Naturally.

2. Traffic Pollution

Pollution through particulates is linked with inflammation. A study conducted by Harvard University found that people who lived within 0.031 miles from road had the highest risk of suffering from rheumatoid arthritis as compared to those who lived further away.

3. Change of Weather

If you can predict the weather based on your joint pain, you are not alone. Temperature drops and falling barometric pressure are linked to more joint pain and arthrhitis. While you can’t change the weather, you can always be prepared and take precautions. What Is the Difference Between Arthritis and Osteoporosis? Why Are the Two Bone Diseases Confused with Each Other?

4. Sugar

According to a study in American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, processed sugars found in many pre-packaged foods release an inflammatory trigger called cytokines into the body that can aggravate arthritis symptoms, making it one of the major foods to avoid for your joint and bone health.

5. Fatigue

Overexertion can trigger rheumatoid arthritis inflammation, increase fatigue, and trigger a rheumatoid arthritis flare. A study performed by American College of Rheumatology, showed that fatigue is caused by both physical and psychological factors. Chemicals called cytokines have been shown to promote inflammation and also and also cause fatigue. Opting for a Knee Replacement Surgery? Here Are Some Myth Busted by an Expert.

6. Smoking

People who smoke have a higher risk of developing arthritis. A study published in the International Journal of Molecular Sciences concluded that smoking is one of the biggest risk factors of developing rheumatoid arthritis.

If you suffer from chronic inflammation, lugging around extra lugging around extra weight can put excess stress and strain on weight-bearing joints like the knees and hips. So avoid bearing weight at all costs.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Oct 11, 2019 11:47 AM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).