For anyone who suffers from arthritis, the daily pain involved makes arthritis a very important topic. Although there is a wealth of information available on the Internet, it is difficult to wade through the plethora of information to glean what’s worthwhile. This article is meant to provide you with succinct tips and advice on arthritis.
If you have chronic arthritis, you should practice meditation or yoga. Doing so will make you more relaxed, and alleviate arthritis symptoms. These techniques can only be beneficial by practicing them several times per week.
Stay away from heating pads if your arthritis is flaring up. All they are going to do is make your symptoms worse. Instead, apply a cold compress to the area where your arthritis is located. You could even wrap a package of frozen peas or another frozen vegetable in a towel and apply to the area.
Stretching should be a daily activity to keep your arthritis symptoms under control. You can prevent injuries just by spending 10 minutes a day stretching all of your major muscle groups. These stretches warm up for your muscles and tendons making them less likely to sustain an injury.
Buy your children’s clothing with zippers and loose fitting clothing if you are a parent dealing with rheumatoid arthritis. Trying to handle a button or a snap can be a nightmare when you have rheumatoid arthritis. Don’t suffer just to get your child the cutest outfit in the store.
Take a break, but not for too long. When your body feels tired, it is always trying to tell you something. Relaxing both your body and your mind can give you a much needed rest to allow you to be at your best. Try not to relax too much though, as doing so can actually aggravate symptoms.
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.
Watch your knees. Your knees absorb at least three times the impact of any other joint on your body, so they need extra care. Always make sure to use pads when kneeling and try to flex them often. Sitting cross-legged for too long can also cause issues, so you should stretch them out on a regular basis.
Regarding side effects, if your medication is one that may cause fatigue or other similar issues, you may want to discuss finding a different medication with your doctor. Fatigue is already a huge issue for people who suffer from arthritis, and you may not want a medication that is going to further aggravate that.
Arthritis can take quite the emotional toll also on the body, so you should consider discussing these feelings with a professional. Constant pain can affect you on an emotional level, leaving you drained and vulnerable. A licensed therapist can assist you in coping with and understanding your emotions relating to arthritis in a healthy way.
Use either hot or cold compresses on your aching joints. This can help to relieve the pain you are feeling. Alternating between hot and cold is also a great way to help your joints feel better. It is important to speak with your doctor about the best way to use this technique.
Sometimes, the treatments that your doctor offers for arthritis can be assisted and enhanced with alternative treatments such as hydrotherapy, yoga, hot and cold therapy or some herbal or dietary supplements. Be sure to ask your doctor about alternative treatments that will help you make the most of your arthritis care.
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.
A healthy diet should contain a lot of healthy fats – like fish oil (Omega 3). This healthy ingredient is found in many foods, such as nuts and fish, but you may want to take a supplement. Omega-3 fatty acids contain anti-inflammatory that pad and lubricate your joints to help relieve pain from arthritis.
If you suffer from rheumatoid arthritis, always pay attention to what you are eating. Some foods can actually cause arthritis pain in some people. Try using an elimination diet. Remove problem foods from your diet and slowly add them back over time. Dairy and seafood are known to cause allergic reactions which trigger arthritis symptoms.
As you may now be aware, there are many things that the average person can do to help alleviate their arthritis pain and suffering. Though it may seem debilitating now, by following the tips and advice from this article, you will help increase your chances of living a full and unencumbered life with arthritis.
