If you or somebody you know is experiencing painful arthritis, you may be wondering what can be done about it.
If you have rheumatoid arthritis, keep a journal. Some events, foods, or activities can cause arthritis to flare up, and having a diary will let you know what the cause is. It will be able to help you understand what will work. It can really help your doctor or rheumatologist in determining what treatment options will work best for you. A pain diary can also help you determine the exact type of arthritis you are suffering from.
Stay away from smoking, whether you smoke yourself or not. Nicotine reduces the blood flow to the extremities which can exacerbate arthritis-related inflammation.In addition, smoking will corrupt your joints and sharpen the pain that you feel from arthritis.
Don’t make any additions or subtractions to your medications without speaking to your doctor first.
Stay aware of your food intake, know exactly what you are eating. Arthritis is often unknowingly triggered by food sensitivities. Keep a ledger of what you consume, and take note of when your symptoms materialize. By doing this, you could potentially determine the root cause of these flare ups.
Arthritis Pain
If your arthritis pain is affecting your sleep, take a hot bath with some bath salts. This can relax your muscles and reduce your pain, which relieves arthritis pain.
Having a good support system is important for arthritis sufferers. You need to have a team of professionals, family and friends around you to help you manage what you are experiencing. It is also a good idea to connect with a support group in your area to interact with others who also are going through the same things you are, and who are coping with arthritis.
Avoid uncomfortable shoes or high heels if you have any kind of arthritis. Buy some comfy shoes that promote good posture to decrease the painful symptoms of arthritis.
Many people with arthritis do not know this, so they end up parking further away than necessary, which can be hard for those who are in chronic pain.
Don’t let yourself stress out too much. Oftentimes, stress will trigger the onset of painful inflammation and swelling associated with arthritis. Use stress-relief strategies as often as possible to prevent arthritis flare-ups and stay healthy and strong.
Aromatherapy may help you get rid of the pain from arthritis. Aromatherapy has been proven to relax joints and muscles and ease the pain of chronic conditions like arthritis.
You can also get joint surgery if none of the standard treatments seem to be working for your arthritis.
Before arthritis becomes a problem take action. Every condition is different and you are the only person who can do something about it. Your doctor will only use general information common to all arthritis patients, which is why it is important that you develop your own way of dealing with your condition. You can best manage your arthritis when you are aware of the different treatments and therapies that are available, and have the knowledge to apply what works for you.
Soothing Music
Relaxing and soothing music can sooth some arthritis symptoms. Soothing music can ease tense muscles and relieve some of the pain you feel. Relaxing music is also a great way to fall asleep if the pain from arthritis symptoms keep you up.
To alleviate the pain of your arthritis, enjoy a long, hot shower or bath. The heat and the moisture work together to loosen muscles and tendons, which in turn reduces the severity of arthritis symptoms. Moist heat pads are also good options. Most drug stores carry these items, which can be wet at time of their activation.
Electrical stimulation can do a lot if you have osteoarthritis in one or both of their knees. This form of treatment has been proven to reduce pain and swelling.
Ask your doctor to monitor you for deficiencies on a regular basis. When you’re low on specific nutrients, like B-12 or iron, you can notice an increase in arthritis inflammation and pain. Having these levels checked often can reduce the risk of painful inflammation, because you’ll be able to maintain healthy levels.
Many rheumatoid arthritis sufferers feel badly because they can not participate in the same activities that they once did. If it is possible, complete tasks that do not take too much strength during the times that your arthritis is at its worse.
Use plenty of sunscreen and protect yourself from UV ray protection. People who have arthritis are much more likely to develop skin disease. You should be extra cautious to be protected against the sun if you go outside in order to stave off conditions related to arthritis.
Taking a walk after eating dinner can really help you. A short walk gets your body warm and working and will improve your energy levels and make you feel better overall.
Use a dairy to record your experience with pain. Make a note of the times you have pain, how bad it is, and what you are doing to help with the pain. Include information on what medications you are currently taking and whether or not you took them in the prescribed manner prior to a flare-up. These are the kinds of things your physician will need to know to help you improve your arthritis pain.
Avoid smoking to reduce your arthritis swelling and inflammation associated from arthritis.Studies have revealed that people who do not smoke have a smaller chance of developing arthritis and swelling than smokers.If you smoke, seriously think about quitting to help with your symptoms. If you are unable to quit on your own, ask your physician about prescription medications for smoking cessation.
Yoga helps you workout your body and mind using stretching and relaxation techniques, both of which can be beneficial for anyone coping with arthritis.
It isn’t unusual for arthritis sufferers to feel like there’s no hope, and stop trying to find a treatment. There are many different types of arthritis, and what works for one person might not work for another. Keep trying different treatments until you find the one that works best for you.
If you are suffering from arthritis, you are likely trying new treatments and coping methods all the time. Before you apply a treatment method, write down your pain level on a scale from one to ten. This helps to give you assess how effective the technique is.
Cognitive behavioral therapy can be a great way to improve your arthritis symptoms. This therapy can help individuals change bad behavior into better behavior. Therapy can improve the quality of arthritis.
When you exercise for arthritis, listen to your own body to avoid pushing too hard. Be mindful of what your body is telling you, and take it slowly. If symptoms worsen or change, and don’t lessen after a day or two, call your doctor to get evaluated.
Getting the proper amount of sleep, and if you do not get enough at night, is necessary when dealing with arthritis. If you must, then taking a siesta each afternoon will go a long way toward lessening your arthritis pain.
While this method of exercise might take a while, the benefits of staying fit far outweigh the challenges. Divide it into multiple 10-minute chunks to get your 30 minutes of total exercise each day.
While exercise is important, you should take it easy when your arthritis is flaring up. You’re only supposed to exercise to improve the flexibility and health of your joints, not to combat arthritis pain. It is recommended that you pass up exercising on days that your arthritis is hurting you badly.
Think about speaking with an occupational therapist. An well-trained OT can teach healthy living habits that will help you how to live more independently.
Improve your knowledge on arthritis so that you can develop a good strategy to fight it. The information here is a start for you to learn about the various treatments available to arthritis sufferers. Following these tips can help you better handle the symptoms of this painful disease.
Take care of your joints. Rheumatoid arthritis sufferers need to be careful about putting pressure on their joints, because it will just exacerbate their pain.