Arthritis is not a laughing matter as symptoms can start at any point in your life. Arthritis causes severe joint pain, and can put a real restriction on normal daily activities.
Learn as much as you can about the disease. The more you know about the symptoms and treatments for arthritis, the more of an active role you can play in your treatment plan. It can also help you to feel less alone, to read about what others with the condition are going through and what they’ve been trying.
Buy accessories for your life and your home that make things easier. For example, you can purchase products that make it easier for you to open doors or take the lids off of jars. If you can increase the ease of your daily life, you’ll reduce pain and stress and improve your attitude.
Be sure to get enough exercise and that you are doing the right kinds of exercise. People with arthritis should choose exercises that support and strengthen the joints, such as swimming, instead of exercises that damage them, such as running. Failing to exercise can also increase joint stiffness and pain.
Don’t make any additions or subtractions to your medicine before checking with your doctor to make sure it’s safe. Many medications need to work their way into your body before they will work.
Before you begin self-treating for arthritis pain, be absolutely certain that the cause of your joint pain and stiffness is really osteoarthritis. A lot of people make assumptions that aches and pains they suffer as they age are from arthritis, but a wide variety of ailments can cause joint pain. A CT-Scan is the best way to know if your pain is really caused by arthritis.
Consider how everything you do will affect your joints. Arthritis can make the smallest job difficult or painful. Try your best to avoid lifting items, you can slide them across floors or counters instead. You can eliminate pain by keeping yourself free of joint inflammation.
Don’t give up on finding a way to manage your arthritis pain. Dealing with a debilitating condition can leave you feeling frustrated and hopeless – particularly if you are having trouble finding any treatment options that work. If what you are doing is not working, talk to your doctor about other treatment options or explore alternative treatments such as acupuncture, nutrition or holistic medicine until you find something that helps.
Drink a little wine. While some people will tell you that people who suffer from arthritis should never drink, studies have shown this to be an unfounded concern. Light drinkers do not have any excess issues with their arthritis, and red wine may actually help to prevent damaging inflammation from cropping up.
Walking is an activity that helps arthritis in many aspects. Not only does it help your body to release any tensions it may have, but it also helps by stretching out weak joints and muscles. If it is possible, try to talk a 20 to 30 minute walk every day.
For those that have arthritis in their knees, Hyaluronic acid injections are a great option. Because people who have arthritis in their knees are lacking lubrication to keep their joints in top condition, these injections are a great way to give knees lubrication. Speak with your doctor before taking these injections.
Find a health care professional that you trust and are comfortable speaking with. Arthritis sufferers need to make frequent visits to the doctor to treat painful issues and get regular check ups. If you are not comfortable with your physician, you may not be entirely truthful or trusting of them, so find one that you enjoy working with.
Learn the information that is out there about your condition. When you get the diagnosis of your specific type of arthritis, hit the internet and all the sources that are offered, even pamphlets and brochures from the doctor’s office, all about arthritis and your specific type, so you know what you are dealing with and how to fight back.
Walk after you eat dinner. A short walk gets your body warm and working and will reduce the aches and pains you feel later. Even short walks with loved ones can improve your health and allow you some quality time with the people you care about that you might not have had time for prior.
Buy heated slippers. Most people who suffer from arthritis will have it in there feet, as well as other locations. For comfortable pain relief in the feet, get some heated slippers online, and use them whenever you find it necessary. These can quickly help to relieve inflammation and swelling, and most of them are easily slipped in the microwave.
You can have arthritis and still remain active, if you follow the great advice in the article above. You never want to let arthritis get you down mentally or physically. A variety of options exist for coping with the pain and fighting the symptoms. When you keep your head up, you can overcome this.
