Arthritis is a common and widespread disease that causes moderate to severe pain, stiffness, and inflammation in the joints of the body. There are over 100 unique types of the disease, which explains why it is so prevalent in adults. The useful tips and advice in this article offer insight into the treatment of the condition.
Even if you aren’t currently experiencing an arthritis flare-up, adjust your motions to protect your joints. Taking care of joints that are symptom-free now, will lead to less pain later. Use good posture, use larger joints instead of smaller ones, and don’t ever assume that even a small task is an acceptable risk.
Keep pain relieving medications and ointments handy, such as on the countertop. If you suffer from a sudden attack, you may not want to have to reach and grab for your pills. In addition, if you have your medications in your purse or in your car, they will be available if you need them while not at home.
Make sure you don’t smoke. Smoking has been shown to increase your risk of developing rheumatoid arthritis. Not only that, but if you do develop it, smoking has been shown to worsen the joint damage. Patients who smoke most often have much more severe symptoms than those patients who don’t smoke.
Getting enough sleep is very important for arthritis sufferers. Lack of sleep makes it impossible for the body to fight painful arthritis effects. Get at least seven or eight hours of sleep a night. If you have had a bad day, try to get ten hours. Good sleep is one of the best things you can give your body.
Are you a driver who has to deal from chronic arthritis? If so, you must understand that you can apply for handicap parking. Most arthritis sufferers don’t take advantage of this, because they aren’t aware.
If you have been down every avenue of arthritis treatment and nothing is helping, discuss the possibility of joint surgery with your physician. Joint surgery can sometimes help with arthritis by improving mobility and flexibility, and also reducing pain. It has generally been effective for most patients that decide to try it.
Find a doctor, who is supportive of you starting a family with rheumatoid arthritis. Some rheumatologists are not comfortable providing advice or support for a woman having a child with this condition but don’t be discouraged. There are doctors out there who are knowledgeable about the challenges you will face.
Use a moist heating pad for temporary pain relief. A quality moist heating pad is a great investment for those times when the pain of arthritis is especially nagging. They offer quick relief from pain and help to improve range of motion in stiff joints; be sure to speak with your doctor if your pain worsens.
Do not discount the need to get enough sleep when dealing with psoriatic arthritis. You need sleep now even more than before. If you are having trouble sleeping, talk with your doctor about medications that can help. Keep your bedroom a place for resting so that your body knows that heading to bed means time for sleep.
Arthritis and stress flaring up get social. Having arthritis you might be tempted to stay home don’t get out and get social. You will feel more relaxed and calmer when you are interacting with other people, when you are relaxed and calm your stress levels and arthritis will stop flaring.
Learn as much as you can about your condition if you have arthritis. The old adage that knowledge is power is especially true in this case. The more you learn about your form of arthritis and its treatments, the better chance you have of living a full and active life in spite of your condition.
Many people have found heat and cold treatments to be very good therapy for arthritis. Try using an old pure cotton sock filled with dry rice as an easy, mess-free method of applying either heat or cold. Put it in a plastic bag in the freezer to prepare for cold therapy. Pop it in the microwave briefly to prepare it for heat therapy.
Drop the extra pounds to help reduce your arthritis symptoms. There are diet plans available that can lessen the degree of inflammation in your joints. This is helpful when you are dealing with rheumatoid arthritis.
If you are having trouble walking because of arthritis pain in your legs, ankles, and hips, try using a cane. Using a cane will help take almost 20 percent of your body weight off of your lower body joints. Some people will associate a cane with having a disability, but if it will reduce your pain, who cares what anyone else thinks.
At this time, there is no single cure that can eliminate all types of arthritis. Fortunately, the advice you have just read is an excellent place to start as you look for ways to live with arthritis. Apply the information in these tips, and you are sure to notice improvements.
