When the cartilage around your bones deteriorates, it causes arthritis. Bones can grind together when cartilage disappears, and this results in inflammation, swelling, and pain. In this article, we will provide some advice that will help you to gain control over your arthritis symptoms.
Although it can seem hard sometimes, it’s vital you exercise often if you’re an arthritis sufferer. By not regularly moving arthritic joints, they will become more stiff and painful with time, exacerbating your condition and making it more difficult to treat. You should also perform flexibility exercises, as it will increase your ability to flex your muscles.
If you are suffering from arthritis, only use pain medication if it is absolutely necessary. A lot of pain killers can cause addiction and just mask pain. Use painkillers only as directed and only under a doctor’s care.
If you have arthritis and still want to get in shape, try aquatic exercises. Aquatic activities are beneficial for loosening up joints and muscles, and the water, especially warm water, is soothing to chronic arthritis sufferers. If you cannot swim, consider signing up for a swimming class.
Consume a good variety of fresh vegetables every day, and eat less meat. Research shows that arthritis patients suffer less with pain, inflammation, and swelling when they go vegetarian. If you have a problem eliminating meat from your diet, try to fill your plate at least half-way with vegetables to get the most benefit.
Try keeping a journal or how arthritis affects your living. A journal may help you to recognize what is triggering your arthritis flare-ups. It also might help you to gain an understanding of the remedies that have helped you in the past. Talk to your doctor about what you want to do. It is a valuable tool all around.
Fish Oil
Educate yourself regarding arthritis so that you will be ready to combat it on every front. There are a number of good resources available for people that are suffering from arthritis, and you will be able to learn some exercise, pain management and nutrition tips. The more you study arthritis, the greater understanding you will have. This will give you a good chance at finding just the right combination of remedies to ease your pain.
Try taking fish oil supplements if you are arthritic. Fish oil contains omega-3 fatty acids which have been scientifically proven to reduce inflammation and pain in the joints. You can find fish oil in almost any drugstore, vitamin store or even the supermarket.
Cutting back on stress and taking the time to relax can have a great positive effect on your arthritis. When you are stressed out, your body produces chemicals that make body pain worse and trigger inflammation. Look for ways to relax such as meditation or yoga. Light, low impact exercise may help reduce stress and also help your pain.
It is essential that you talk to a physician when your symptoms start appearing and that you begin treatment right away if you need it. Fighting the progression and symptoms of arthritis is easier the sooner you get started, and it’s the best way to minimize the damage inflicted on your joints. Take action immediately when you first receive the diagnosis. Talk to your doctor and get your treatment started.
Smoking has been shown to increase the risk of arthritis flare-ups by causing a loss in joint flexibility. It may be hard to quit smoking, but it isn’t as hard as living with the especially intense arthritis pain you’ll experience if you don’t quit.
Build a strong support system if you deal with arthritis. You must surround yourself with people who will support you in your problem. Also, another good option is to look for a local support group where you can speak with other arthritis sufferers who can help you deal with the same things all of you are going through.
Trust what your body tells you. Your body’s response to arthritis will be unique. You are the one person who will understand your body’s reaction to certain things. Always keep your mind on the feelings your body is giving you, and follow their advice. If you need to rest, make sure that you do that.
You can talk with your doctor regarding other pain relief avenues. While you may not be able to undo existing arthritis damage, the right treatment plan can keep your condition from worsening. Your doctor can help you to identify the safest and most effective FDA-approved arthritis treatments.
Let your friends and loved ones know what you are dealing with when it comes to your arthritis. By sharing, the people you care about the most will get a sense of what you are going through. This will also open the door to allow them to help with your situation. Once the people in your life understand that you are suffering, they will make accommodations to assist you.
Check with your doctor to see if a weight loss program will assist with your arthritis pains. Weight is often an agitant of arthritis, and shedding some unwanted pounds can relieve both pain and symptoms. You would be shocked at what losing just a couple of pounds can do for your arthritis.
Be sure to look on the bright side and smile frequently. Find a friend who makes you laugh, spend time with your family or watch a funny movie to forget about your stress. Laughing often can be a powerful way to reduce the pain of arthritis and it has also been connected to positive healing effects for chronic illnesses, such as arthritis.
You should make sure to hydrate yourself with a healthy intake of water. Grab the water bottle or fill your glass under the tap when thirsty, and feel great knowing water is the most healthful type of fluid you can provide for your body. Avoid beverages that will dehydrate, such as caffeine or alcohol, and provide no benefit for your arthritic condition.
Do not carry so much. Arthritis of the shoulders occurs much more often than you may believe, and women are affected the most. Toting around a bag that is too heavy can lead to swelling, and pain in the neck and shoulders. If you must, carry only the absolute necessities, and keep them in a light bag you can remove at every opportunity.
Castor Oil
Arthritis is divided into three types: Rheumatoid, Psoriatic and Osteoarthritis. Each arthritis requires different treatment.
One substance that you can apply to your joints to fight arthritis symptoms is Castor oil. Both the oil and your message will help relieve your arthritic symptoms. The massage will increase blood flow and lessen pain and swelling, while the castor oil helps with stiffness.
Eating a good diet can help to relieve some of the symptoms of arthritis. Studies have shown diets rich in fresh produce, olive oil, and beans have improved physical functioning and vitality in just three months. Vegetables and fruits are central to a healthy diet.
Avoid smoking if you would like to reduce arthritic symptoms. Medical study evidence shows that smokers experience more pain from arthritis and swollen joints than non-smokers. If you are a smoker, and want to see your symptoms improve, consider quitting. You can get prescription smoking aids from your doctor if you can’t quit through your own efforts.
Getting minor injuries treated properly prevents the formation of scar tissue that can cause or contribute to later arthritis problems. Get checked out by a doctor after you sprain or twist a joint, even if the pain is not severe. Allow a doctor to check for small fractures and support your injury properly.
Yoga is an excellent way to deal with arthritis. This exercise involves both a calming of the mind and stretching, both of which are beneficial for anyone who deals with arthritis. If you would prefer working out in your own home, there are many yoga DVDs available at all different levels that you can try. Not having to leave your home is a big benefit to a lot of people which is why they opt for the DVD route. However, you still get the advantage of having a workout.
Taking a warm bath or shower can do wonders for arthritis symptoms. The moist heat can loosen and relax your tendons and muscles, thus providing some relief from your pain. You could consider trying a wet heating pad. You can find these in most drug stores, and they may be dampened before use.
If you are suffering from arthritis, you are probably looking for new techniques to alleviate your pain and treat your condition. Always rate the level of pain you feel on a 1 to 10 scale before you start with ideas. You will then be able to subjectively measure the effectiveness of the new technique or treatment by comparing the level of pain before and after.
Think positive and your arthritis will be less of a burden. You will feel your arthritis pain even more if it is always on your mind. Instead, try thinking about what you are doing right now, and try to have relaxing thoughts that bring comfort, even when your pain is at its worst.
As you can see, arthritis sufferers have many options for treating their condition and lessening their symptoms like swelling and pain. So, remember the advice contained in this article as you strive to cope with both the limitations of arthritis and the painful symptoms which accompany the condition.
Be sure that your symptoms are actually arthritis, and you are not suffering from another illness. There is no point taking medication or treatments for arthritis if that is not what you are actually suffering from.