Neuropathy, as stated above, is a rare complication resulting from inflammation in the blood vessels that lead to nerves. A more common form of neuropathy is one in which the person develops numbness or a burning sensation in a glove-and-stocking distribution without any obvious blood vessel disturbance. In most cases this second type of neuropathy improves with the effective treatment of arthritis.Inflammation can create local pressure that squeezes or pinches nerves and thereby causes numbness or weakness. This nerve compression can result from swelling or from structural changes occurring in the joint. Nerves that travel near joints in the elbows and feet are sometimes compressed in RA, the most commonly pinched nerve being the median nerve that runs through the wrist. When the wrist becomes swollen, pressure increases in the joint, and the nerve becomes compressed. This causes numbness and tingling in the middle three fingers, a condition known as carpal tunnel syndrome. Carpal tunnel syndrome can also develop if the nerve becomes bent or kinked. Chronic inflammation sometimes changes the alignment of the wrist and so causes the nerve to deviate from its normal path. People who don’t have RA can also develop carpal tunnel syndrome. It occurs most commonly in people who keep their wrists bent in the same position for long periods of time (such as people who work at computer terminals).Wrist splints often help decrease symptoms of carpal tunnel syndrome in RA patients. Other means of decreasing inflammation, such as anti-inflammatory medications or wrist corticosteroid injections, are also helpful. If the symptoms of carpal tunnel syndrome are severe or persistent, surgery may be required.*29/209/5*

If you have arthritis, you may still drink coffee without harmful effects. But only if you drink it at the right time in relation to your meals.
Coffee will not conflict with the oil in your foods, if you drink the coffee at least ten to thirty minutes before a meal … or at least three to four hours after a meal. Black coffee is more advisable. Do not add white sugar to any coffee, but substitutes like saccharin may be used.
Undiluted tea should be given up, if arthritic pain persists. The tea habit is most drying to the oils of the joint and skin linings. Excessive tea drinking is bad for arthritics, because of its tannic acid content. Adulteration with sugar, lemon and ice also makes tea a dangerous liquid for arthritics when used excessively.
In countries where tea is mixed with milk or cream, this weakens the “harsh effect” of tea on joint linings. However, those who continually mix their tea with milk violate an old law in chemistry— oil (milk) and water (tea) do not mix. Eventually (later in life) this constant habit may lead to an impaired blood circulation within the body. For those who feel “they must have their tea,” it is suggested that it be diluted or weakened and consumed in limited quantities.
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