Arthritis can be a difficult thing to handle. You can help yourself not get this debilitating condition, if you begin earlier in life to take preventive measures to lessen the effect it has on your health, by eating right and by moving certain joints certain ways. You sometimes can’t completely prevent it, but you can lessen the effect.
Reduce the stress in your daily life. Stress causes your body to release the neurochemical cortisol, while causes inflammation. People with arthritis should know that inflammation is the main cause of the pain and stiffness of arthritis. Reducing stress reduces your body’s production of these chemicals, which relieves your symptoms.
Even though you may not feel like exercising, staying physically active is an important part of dealing with arthritis. By not exercising your joints, they will get fatigued, which in turn, will worsen your arthritis. Flexibility exercises are also great for arthritis sufferers because it increases your range of motion.
Keeping an arthritis journal can actually help you control your symptoms. Each time your arthritis is bothering you, write about what you do that day in your journal. This way, you can start to see a pattern as to what is causing your arthritis pain so you can slow down on that activity.
You can gain better control over arthritis by looking for ways to relax, as well as eliminating excess stress. Part of your body’s chemical reaction to stress is the release of hormones and other agents that can cause inflammation and arthritis flare-ups. Consider practicing new time management techniques or adding a light exercise routine to your daily routine to reduce the effects of stress.
Take a nap. Leading a sedentary lifestyle is not a healthy move for anyone, but arthritis sufferers will often be hit by bouts of fatigue. In these cases, take a short nap to give your body the rest it needs, and you will find yourself more easily able to complete your everyday tasks.
Eat foods that are rich in vitamin C to promote healthier joints and reduce pain from arthritis. Vitamin C is proven to offer an essential vitamin that promotes joint health and can reduce the effects of arthritis and damage of joints. You can fill your diet with tasty treats like oranges and grapefruit to reduce your pain and joint damage effectively and naturally.
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.
Take steps to slim down and get fit if you are out of shape or overweight. Weight can be a major factor in arthritis pain. When you lose some weight, you will lose some pain. The amount of your arthritic suffering that gets relieved by dropping just five or ten pounds can really be eye-opening.
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.
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.
Whenever you are considering alternative treatments for arthritis, remember to talk them over with your doctor, and if you see an herbalist or other alternative care provider, be sure to disclose all your medical treatments. Some alternative treatments and medical treatments work very well together. Others counteract each other. You want to be sure all of your treatments work together properly for optimum care.
If you have a child with juvenile rheumatoid arthritis, you must be strict about following an exercise and physical therapy routine along with the administration of medications. Children with juvenile rheumatoid arthritis need to engage in regular physical activity in order to maintain flexibility. However, they also have to take steps to prevent their joints from suffering further damage, which will only lead to increased pain.
Youngsters who have juvenile rheumatoid arthritis must be encouraged to visit a physical therapist on a regular basis to establish and maintain an exercise program. Frequent follow-ups will keep this program properly adjusted to the child’s current abilities. A good physical therapy program should include: range-of-motion, strength training and endurance training.
If you find yourself with arthritis, there are still many options to help you. Taking preventative measures may not be the only way to get rid of arthritis, but it sure will help in the long run. A doctor will be able to help you if you find yourself in a bind with arthritis.
