If you or somebody you know is experiencing painful arthritis, you may not have any idea what steps to take in order to fight the disease.
Always wear solid, supportive shoes if you have arthritis. You might further hurt yourself if you do not wear good shoes. This can cause a lot of problems in your ankles, knees and hip joints. Workout shoes should be replaced very often for arthritis sufferers. Look on the soles for signs of uneven wear.
Always consult your physician before you change which pills you take or how often you take it.
You should seek the advice of a doctor before starting an exercise regimen.
If you are not able to sleep well due to arthritis pain, try a warm bath with bath salts before bed. Doing so induces physical relaxation and diminishes arthritic pain for a while, allowing you comfort long enough to fall asleep and rest longer.
Consider the ancient art of yoga for a hobby. Research has shown that yoga’s relaxing nature and exercise methods can have positive benefits for those suffering from arthritis.
Unlike many medical issues, studies have shown that drinking alcohol in moderation does not worsen the problem.
Always keep your joints in mind. Don’t allow your arthritis symptoms stop you from doing your normal activities. Avoid lifting heavy items by asking for help or pushing the item, if no help is available. Protecting yourself from further discomfort and pain is important in day to day tasks, and can go a long way in helping you feel better with arthritis.
Try to participate in aquatic activities if you’re an arthritis sufferer.
Keep a dairy of your condition. This diary or journal will help you discover what triggers your arthritis to flare up. Keeping a diary also lets you identify the causes of and effective treatments for your arthritis. This is also valuable information that your doctor which can use to determine a course of treatment. A daily diary can help learning about and managing your rheumatoid arthritis.
Find a physical therapist and accept their treatment. It is hard being on your own when you have arthritis, so by attending therapy you can receive a positive reminder that you’re not utterly helpless. In addition to helping arthritis suffers deal with their physical problems, therapy can address other issues that commonly occur along with arthritis like depression.
Use heat and ice alternately. Try no more than two times a day at most.
Electrical stimulation may be an option for those with osteoarthritis in one or both of osteoarthritis. This form of treatment has been found to reduce both pain and swelling in the knees due to arthritis.
A heating pad that provides moist heat can give relief to arthritis sufferers. Investing in a heating pad that gives off moist heat is something to consider if your arthritis is affecting your daily life. These pads will help instantly, though it is still recommended to see your physician.
Feel Bad
Don’t let others or yourself get you feel bad. You might not feel comfortable doing some tasks if you suffer from arthritis. Feeling guilty or pressured will only make the situation worse, so don’t feel sorry for yourself. Having to avoid certain things is not a reason to feel bad about.
Laughter should be a part of your daily routine. Telling jokes with friends or family, watching a funny movie, or reading a good book can all elevate your mood and reduce your stress levels. Laughter is the best medicine for those who suffer from arthritis.
Learn the signs and symptoms of arthritis. If symptoms are prevalent and life altering, discuss your condition with your doctor for the best remedies and management.
Pay attention to your body is telling you. Every arthritis sufferer is different, and you are the only person who knows how your unique condition is affecting you. Listen to the messages your body. If you need to rest, take a rest.
Cognitive behavior therapy can be a great way to improve your arthritis symptoms. Through these therapeutic sessions, negative behavior can be halted by learning new ways of thinking about people and things that happen in daily life. This can lead to a reduction of stress, which can improve your life forever.
Keep an eye out for new treatment options. Doctors are often shy away from new treatment on a patient unless what they’re already doing is completely failing. If new options are out there, bring it up with your doctor to discuss the possibility of moving to a newer treatment plan.
Women are especially prone to developing arthritis in their shoulders. If carrying a bag is necessary, then eliminate all but the essential items and leave it behind when you don’t need to access the contents.
Speak with a doctor or nutritionist about diets that can reduce or eliminate inflammation. This will cut down on inflammation and reduce the pain. A better diet could make such a difference from you. Some patients have successfully replaced medications with a healthy diet.
If you are afflicted with arthritic conditions, you are probably looking for new techniques to alleviate your pain and treat your condition. Before starting anything new, rate your pain on a scale from 1 to 10. This will help you to rate progress both before and after trying new methods of dealing with the technique is.
Keep your arthritis under control by exercising and fit.If you have a hard time with weights, think about joining water aerobics. The water massages your muscles and support you throughout the exercise. Water exercises are very useful in dealing with pain from arthritis.
LED therapy is a newer treatment for arthritis pain. These devices are not expensive and they are very convenient. You will notice a lot less arthritis pain if you take this route. You can find these at most department and drug stores. Using it for 15 minutes each day twice per day can get rid of a lot of the pain you feel.
You must be proactive about your arthritis therapy program. There are millions of arthritis sufferers, that there are an infinite number of pain levels, meaning that no two treatments are going to be alike. You have to know the available treatments and know enough to match the right treatment that fits your particular arthritis.
A strong social network is essential for anyone who suffers from the chronic pain of arthritis. You should have a doctor whom you can go to regularly to check on the progression of your ongoing condition. You need to explain to family members and friends what you are going through and get support from them.
Getting enough sleep is vital for those with arthritis, and if you do not get enough at night, consider adding in a nap. If you need to take a daily nap to get enough sleep, then don’t feel guilty about doing so.
Gather as much information as possible about arthritis in order to develop the best treatment plan. The tips you just read are a great way to get started treating your arthritis and live a pain-free life for good.