Is arthritis taking over your life? Many people the world over are needlessly enduring the pain and reduced quality of life brought on by arthritis, without realizing that there are many effective treatment methods available. Even without taking medication, there are many things you can do to make your arthritis better. Use these tips to help you cope and alleviate the symptoms of arthritis in your life.
Always talk to your physician before you begin any new medication regimen. There are some medications that need more time to work in your body before they start working, and some can cause bad effects if stopped suddenly.
If you’re a woman with arthritis, you may not want to wear high heels. High heels are attractive, but they wreak havoc on your feet. Heeled shoes increases torque around your knees and can make arthritis worse. Do your best to always wear comfortable shoes in an effort to decrease your problems with arthritis. There are many designer shoes available that will make you look good while being comfortable and protecting your body.
Try heated pads or packs of ice to relieve joint pain. If you want the best results, use them together, alternating between the hot and cold treatment. Ask your doctor about what he recommends when you use cold and heat to soothe your pain.
Do not skimp on sleep if you are suffering from arthritis. Lack of sleep makes it impossible for the body to fight painful arthritis effects. Adults need an average of eight hours of sleep, but more may be necessary when you are stressed. When you wake up feeling rested, you will feel less pain and more energy.
If you have arthritis, don’t wear heels or uncomfortable shoes. It does not matter what parts of your body are affected by arthritis, uncomfortable shoes could make you walk in an abnormal manner, which could effect your arthritis negatively. Choose shoes that will give you the greatest amount of support.
It can be beneficial to detect arthritis symptoms early to prevent the onset of the disease. One great technique to use is to practice proper typing habits. Make sure your hands are parallel to the keyboard, and use a mousepad with a wristrest. This will prevent your hands from developing repetitive stress injuries as you get older.
Both cold and hot treatments can be effective when alternated. Joints can be easily overworked, and using hot packs, followed by cold ones, can reduce any inflammation and swelling that may crop up. Remember that using these treatments more than you should can cause further problems. Do not do this more than twice a day.
Try alternating the use of cold and hot packs. Alternating between cold packs and heat treatments can relieve pain and ease swollen joints. Make sure you don’t overdo it however, as too much treatment can cause further health issues. Try to do these on the maximum capped at two times a day.
Start stretching every day. Arthritis will cause you to quickly lose your flexibility. By establishing a routine to stretch on a regular basis, you can help delay or completely prevent loss in your flexibility. Start at your toes, moving slowly up your entire body until you reach your head.
Use aromatherapy to ease arthritis pain. Aromatherapy has been proven to relax your muscles and joints efficiently. This means the pain will go away and the strain will be greatly reduced.
To get temporary relief, invest in a heating pad with moist heat. If your arthritis pain is nagging or becomes too painful to allow you to properly function, you may want to invest in a moist heating pad. These pads will help instantly, though it is still recommended to see your physician.
Joint Surgery
If you suffer from psoriatic arthritis, your doctor may prescribe a certain amount of rest during the daytime. If you suffer from this condition, your energy levels will not be what they once were. Attempting to engage in the same activity level you did before being diagnosed with arthritis can cause permanent damage. Instead, try to focus the energy that you have on what you value the most. You don’t have to do too much for everyone at the same time.
You can also get joint surgery if you cannot find a treatment that works. Joint surgery can help to reverse the arthritic effects on your joints, such as lack of flexibility and mobility, and is generally quite effective.
Get the proper tools you need for strenuous activities. For example, if you are going to be lifting heavy objects, a dolly or an extra set of hands can take the stress off your joints. You need to be kind to your joints. If you have further damage to joints, it will cause pain, so do not overexert yourself.
Stretch frequently if you suffer from arthritis. Flexibility is one of the major issues for those living with arthritis. When you routinely stretch you make your muscles flexible it is great for your body. Start your stretches with your feet, then move up your body until you get to your neck and head.
To ease arthritis symptoms, try losing weight. If you are overweight and have arthritis, you will have to deal with more swelling and painful inflammation. When you are carrying extra weight, it can put undue stress on your joints, causing them to flare. A reduction in body weight not only reduces the intensity of pain, but also can delay or prevent the number of times that it flares up.
Do not impose guilt on yourself or allow anyone else to do so. Arthritis may make it uncomfortable to perform many common tasks. Feelings of guilt only serve to make things worse, rather than helping the situation. Not being able to do everything is not a reason to feel bad.
Losing weight and getting more fit can help you reduce the symptoms of arthritis. Being overweight can aggravate your arthritis. You can lessen the pain you experience just be dropping some pounds. With the loss of a few pounds, you will begin to feel relief in your joints and bones.
Heat is the best treatment if your pain is wearing you out. Many believe that it is best to use ice packs to relieve pain, but that’s not the case for those who suffer from arthritis. Warm treatments are the ideal solution for pain that leaves you fatigued. It has the twofold effect of lessening the ache while reinvigorating your energy levels.
Put castor oil on your joints in order to lower your pain and stiffness. Both the oil and the act of massaging provide excellent benefits to your joints and provide a great deal of relief. Massage increases blood flow, lessening pain and swelling, and the stiffness benefits from the castor oil.
Have your physician evaluate you for vitamin deficiencies. When you are low on vitamins or minerals you could have a arthritis flare up. However, you can reduce this risk by having your nutritional levels checked frequently, and making changes in your diet accordingly to prevent your joints from becoming inflamed.
Make sure you eat a lot of foods that contain Omega-3 fatty acids. This can be done either through taking a dietary supplement or by including food like nuts, flax seeds and oily fish in your diet. These omega 3 acids have a lot of anti-inflammatory effects and will lubricate joints to ease arthritis pain.
Pain Relief
Consult a physical therapist for guidance in choosing a safe, non-damaging workout routine to help alleviate arthritis symptoms. Investing the time for learning proper warm-up and exercise techniques that are geared specifically towards your conditions will help you get the most out of exercise without injuring yourself. A good fitness program can improve your strength and endurance. It may also improve the flexibility of your joints.
Talk to your physician about options for pain relief. There is no cure for arthritis, so effective pain relief is really the best treatment. Avoiding further damage is also very highly recommended. This may be done by talking to your physician about using FDA-approved treatments and various other methods for your condition.
Often, a hot shower or a warm bath can ease the pain of arthritis. Moist heat relaxes tendons and muscles, and provides temporary relief of arthritis pain. Application of a damp heating pad is a great method as well. You can purchase one at most drug stores and mass merchandisers.
Always drink lots of water. Always keep water close at hand and do not drink anything else. Coffee, sodas, and other liquids are not as good for your body.
Special tools or gadgets can be of great help to those with arthritis, by making it easier to accomplish many of the little jobs made difficult by the condition. You can find these ergonomic items at everyday stores because most items made and sold are designed to be easier to use these days. A lot of pens, drawer handles, and can openers are made to be easy to use.
Arthritis sufferers, in the past, were advised to shun alcohol. However, research now indicates that alcohol consumed in moderate amounts does not have any negative effects on arthritis sufferers. Research studies suggest that alcohol could even reduce arthritic symptoms.
Enlist the help of a family member or friend to help you get your home arthritis friendly. Many items can be hard to grip or out of reach when you are having flare ups, so have the things you need most within easy access.
If you have a child with rheumatoid arthritis, continue to get continual physical therapy and have your child exercise, in addition to prescribed pain medication. It is imperative that youngsters with rheumatoid arthritis stay active and flexible, while learning to prevent further damage or pain to their joints.
The goal is to seek out a solution that will make the arthritis symptoms easier to deal with, while stopping your joints from getting any more damaged. Looking for treatments for pain can cause more issues, and you could make the condition worse by letting it progress.
Visit a physical therapist so you can get advice on a workout that will help reduce arthritic symptoms. If you are willing to learn the specific exercises that are best suited to your individual needs, you can easily avoid injury. You can also avoid making your condition worse by always using proper warm-up and cool-down routines. Exercise will help arthritis sufferers in a multitude of ways. It strengthens the body and enables the affected joints to still remain in use, instead of being left to languish.
Some exercises can help improve your symptoms, but you must take care to choose the right types. Some exercises may cause your body damage. Low impact exercises, such as swimming, riding a bike and simple walking are best. Avoid sports like tennis.
Start a pain journal. When you record how you feel and when you feel that way, as well as the intensity of the pain, you have a better understanding of your pain. In addition, you want to write down the steps and/or medications you take to relieve your discomfort. Keep track of all medicines you are on, if you miss any doses, and anything else you think might be important for your doctor to be told. A well-kept pain dairy can provide all the information your doctor requires to help you make your pain-management plan more effective.
If you have been diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis, then have your eyes checked too. This condition affects the eyes, and blindness can sometimes be the result. Be aware of symptoms of this type of condition, such as increased redness, pain, more sensitivity to light, and blurry vision. This kind of vision problem can be treated, so be sure to keep your doctor informed of your situation.
If your life is affected by arthritis and the pain that comes with it, you don’t have to sit there and take it. You can stand up for yourself and give yourself the wellness that you desire from life. Start with the arthritis tips above that can show you a better way to manage your arthritis in a way that helps you in the long run and not only right now.
The fatigue that comes with arthritis requires you to get enough rest. Deep breathing techniques, meditation, yoga or a warm bath can help you revitalize and calm your body and mind. You’ll be able to keep moving better all day if you take time to relax periodically.