There are about 1.3 million people that are suffering from arthritis in America right now. While this is a common disease, it is very debilitating. This article will give you some tips on how to cope with arthritis. You can use these tips to gain knowledge about this condition, and learn some new techniques.
People with arthritis are dealing with both chronic pain and chronic fatigue. Set priorities for your day and stick to them. There will only be so much you can accomplish on a bad day. Figure out what’s most important and focus on getting that done, instead of trying to fight the pain and fatigue and do everything anyway.
For arthritis sufferers, it is important to lose weight if you are overweight or obese. Excess weight just puts more strain and pressure on your arthritic joints, which can make your arthritis even worse. It is a proven fact that every pound you lose is four less pounds of pressure on your knees.
Engaging in yoga or meditation is a great way to help cope with the symptoms of arthritis. The techniques of yoga have been shown to reduce the painful symptoms of arthritis by relaxing the mind and body. For the best results, practice these techniques at least three days each week.
To use a manual stapler while living with arthritis, press down on the stapler with your forearm. Do this instead of using your wrist. The wrist is one area that can become especially sensitive and painful during an arthritis flare up. Keeping from having to use it during those moments means less pain for you, and the task getting accomplished faster too.
It is important that you quit smoking if you suffer from arthritis. It is a proven medical fact that smoking can make your arthritis symptoms worse. Also, if you smoke and you are taking medications to control your arthritis symptoms, smoking can actually decrease the positive effects of these medications.
If you are a woman who suffers from arthritis in your back, you may want to think about changing what bras you wear. Believe it or not, certain bras can make your arthritis worse by putting pressure on your back. There are actually bras that are made just for women with arthritis.
Exercising regularly will do wonders for your energy levels when you are dealing with psoriatic arthritis. Try to aim for 15 to 30 minutes of exercise a day to give you more energy and keep your body healthy and your bones strong. Make sure to not overdo it and end up tiring yourself out.
Implement a cane into your daily routine for support. Often arthritis sufferers are reluctant to use canes, because they feel it indicates they are disabled or infirm. If you have less pain when you use a cane you should do it. Choose a cane that fits your personality to feel more comfortable using it.
You should know the symptoms to look for with arthritis. Early diagnosis is key to managing your symptoms. If you are afflicted by any symptoms of arthritis, then you should have your condition properly diagnosed by a doctor. This will help you to determine the most appropriate course of action.
Have a regular eating schedule. Test your body to find out what eating pattern works best for you, and set up a distinct schedule around those times. If you find yourself hungry at a time when you are not scheduled to eat, have a light nutritious snack to keep yourself energetic and on schedule.
Set goals for yourself. Planning out what you want to do for the day or week ahead can help to motivate you into actually getting it done. You should even speak to your doctor about what you want to accomplish within the next few months or year, in order to work out a plan that will help you do it.
One thing you can do for your joint aches and pains is to give yourself a break with a vacation or some simple time off at home. You want rest and a lot of it, and the best way to stock up on good old rest is by taking that vacation you have always dreamed of, or even by just taking the phone off the hook and laying in bed for a couple days. This gives your joints relief from your daily routine of constantly going.
Watch for symptoms of depression when you are dealing with psoriatic arthritis. The fatigue you experience with psoriatic arthritis can mask the symptoms of depression. It is hard to feel like you will ever be normal again after the diagnosis. Make sure to see a doctor and deal with symptoms of depression.
Having the knowledge that many other people are suffering from arthritis does not help ease the pain of this disease, though it does offer some support that many people in America understand what you are going through. Apply the advice that this article has given you to handle your arthritis.
