You have a general idea of what arthritis is, but you cannot imagine how it impacts people as greatly as it does. It seems hard to imagine that so many people miss work because of it. Use this article to shed some light on how difficult it can be to live with arthritis.
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.
In order to help ease some of the pain associated with arthtis in your hands or fingers, you may want to consider using topical creams. Many of these creams helps joints to relax, which helps to ease arthritis pain. Just be sure you consult with your doctor before using these creams.
To manage your symptoms effectively, try a Mediterranean diet. Studies have shown that arthritis sufferers who change to this diet see their symptoms quickly decrease, and have a better feeling overall. The Mediterranean diet is high in healthy fats and grains, which your body needs to increase your flexibility and overall health.
If you have been diagnosed with psoriatic arthritis, you must allow yourself some respite. You may find that you don’t have the stamina that you used to have. By not paying attention to what your body is telling you, you will only make the symptoms worse. Concentrate your energy on those things that you feel are most important. You will not be able to be everything to everyone.
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.
Reduce your weight. If you’re overweight and have arthritis, it can cause swelling and inflammation. Flare ups are caused in part by excess weight placing extra strain on joints. A reduction in body weight not only reduces the intensity of pain, but also can delay or prevent the number of times that it flares up.
Make sure you put on sun block. People with arthritis are actually a lot more susceptible to a lot of conditions caused by the burning sun in the sky, especially Lupus. It’s crucial that you protect yourself from the sun every time you go outside so that you don’t develop additional conditions.
A healthy diet is a key factor in fighting psoriatic arthritis. Make sure to never skip your meals. Keep your diet a healthy mix of proteins, complex carbs, and unsaturated fats to help your body have enough energy to get through the day. A healthy diet will go a long way towards fighting fatigue, which can aggrevate your arthritis.
Never wear tight bandages to help with arthritis pain. Having a tight bandage actually will cause more pain and issues, because you are effectively reducing blood flow to the area. This will cause more swelling and stiffness when the bandage is eventually removed, and can even cause permanent damage if left on too long.
Learn good posture. The better your stance, the less stress you put on your joints. Ask your doctor for tips on gaining the best posture you can, and work on it daily as a routine. Once you develop good posture, you will feel less pain in your back and knees, as well as your feet and neck.
Have sturdy footwear that is meant for the activity you are performing. Different shoes are necessary for normal wear and exercise, because you are putting strain on different joints for each action. Having great shoes meant for each activity will decrease any chance of injury or irritation, as well as making sure to increase flexibility.
Keep a diary for your sake and review, as well as bringing it to your doctor’s visits. Your doctor will then be able to tell how you are doing without making you think you have to have total recall of all events. The diary also keeps track of different practices you have incorporated and their effects.
Keep your arthritis under control by exercising and keeping active. If weight bearing exercises are too hard, consider taking a water aerobics class. Not only will you get the exercise your body needs, but the water can also be comforting for your joints. Water therapy offers a number of benefits to people suffering from arthritis.
To summarize, you know a bit about arthritis just from commercials that you see on the television, but you just do not understand how it can be such a big deal. Hopefully, this article explained the reasons why it can be such a burden to complete everyday tasks with this condition.