If you are living with arthritis, you know that this is a chronic condition that becomes more complicated as the disease progresses. It is a challenge to deal with the daily pain, limitations in your range of motion and fatigue that come along with arthritis. The tips in this article can help you to cope.
Discuss your arthritis with the younger members of your family. Small children may be concerned that you are injured if you are using wrist splints or walking aids. Discuss the condition with them at their level, so they can understand without fear and perhaps even assist you during a flare-up.
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.
Do not stop a medication just because you feel it is not working. Most arthritis medicines take from days to months to truly make an impact on your symptoms. Never stop a new medicine without talking with your doctor first as there may be side effects from an abrupt withdrawal.
Go to occupational therapy. Many arthritis sufferers have problem spots in certain areas of their everyday home lives, but they let these go unchecked for different reasons. Visiting with an occupational therapist will let you address these concerns, and get help with working out proper solutions, rather than just ignoring the problems at hand.
Do not expect to follow the same schedule you followed before your diagnosis. Some types of arthritis can cause serious fatigue and discomfort, and you need to listen to your body. Rest if you need to, or change your schedule around to do activities at the times during the day that you have more flexibility.
Buy some equipment to help you! Using proper tools can let arthritis sufferers do any job. Take advantage of specially designed products and you’ll have your independence back in no time. Go grab some of these to help you live more easily.
Always be prepared. Arthritis can be unpredictable, and therefore it is wise to always be ready to manage issues that arise. Dividing your work into separate parts will give you time to rest during the day. You should also be able to stop what you are doing right away if the pain becomes too great.
It is essential that you talk to a physician when your symptoms start appearing and that you begin treatment right away if you need it. You can reduce joint damage by getting treatment early. The most beneficial way to start treatment is to get advice from a doctor early so you can start the treatment when a diagnosis is reached.
Use light exercises and stretching to prevent further joint damage and pain from arthritis. light exercise avoids excess strain on the joints and you will find that it creates more limber and flexible joints that are conditioned for healthier activity. With stretching, you are giving yourself more flexibility for common activities you will encounter without causing pain from inflamed joints.
Get involved with something bigger than yourself. Having outside goals, such as helping a charity, can remind you that you are not the only one in your position. Doing this will help to distract you from pain and also stop you from feeling sorry for yourself. Many charities will allow you to help without having to leave your home, so anyone can do it.
If you have been having trouble turning door knobs, consider having your door hardware switched out for handles instead of knobs. When you are dealing with arthritis flare ups, you can use your elbow and forearm to do the work of opening the door saving your hands the trouble.
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.
Arthritic knees can be very painful, and it is important to try and take stress off or you knees when you have arthritis. One way to do this is by losing weight if you are overweight. Doing this relieves the pressure off of the joints in your knees and helps out immensely.
The longer you live with arthritis, the more you are going to have to find new ways to accommodate your condition. In order to continue doing as many of the things you love to do as possible, some changes may become necessary. If you apply some of the pointers you learned in this article, it will make your journey a lot easier.
