There are a few arthritis types, but they all have pain as a common factor. Even the strongest of people can be broken down by the day to day pain of arthritis. Luckily, there are a number of ways to soothe the pain. These are good tips to have when dealing with arthritis.
It is important that you quit smoking if you suffer from arthritis. It is a proven medical fact that smoking can make your arthritis symptoms worse. Also, if you smoke and you are taking medications to control your arthritis symptoms, smoking can actually decrease the positive effects of these medications.
Exercising can help you manage your arthritis symptoms by helping you to lose weight. Weight loss can help your joints function more efficiently and help keep those symptoms under control. Talk with your doctor about setting up an exercise plan that you can do safely on a routine basis.
Lose weight to help reduce your arthritis symptoms. Losing even a few pounds has been shown to take pressure off of weight bearing joints and reduce the pain that you suffer with arthritis. It can also help reduce your risk of developing osteoarthritis of the knee and can slow the rate in which your arthritis progresses.
Take a warm morning shower. Many people who suffer from arthritis have the stiffest joints when they wake up. Starting your day off with a warm shower will loosen your joints enough that you should be able to stretch them, which will help to prevent any stiffness you may experience later in the day.
Make sure to educate yourself as much as possible about rheumatoid arthritis, and how it can affect pregnancy and breastfeeding. There’s a lot of different information out there, and being well educated can make all the difference in the world in how you handle your symptoms and flare ups.
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.
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.
Let others know! Let them know how your arthritis affects your life. Arthritis can negatively change your life, it can leave you frustrated, irritated and just plain mad at the world. This change can cause others to become confused about who you are. Do them and yourself a favor by letting them know, because when they understand your situation, they will be understanding towards you.
Do not be afraid to consider surgery. Many people who suffer with arthritis will initially balk at the thought of having surgery done to correct an issue. Let your doctor coach you on what may be the best method of treatment for you, and if surgery is an effective option, try not to immediately dismiss it.
Find a rubber mat to place at your stove to help prevent back and leg pain while you are standing and cooking. These buoyancy of these mats help keep pressure off of your legs which will do wonders for keeping your body feeling healthy. Buy one as well for in front of your sink to use when you are washing dishes.
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.
Make an effort to regularly take fish oil supplements. These supplements contain omega-3 fatty acids, which are important in helping to control inflammation in the body. They can also help reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease, giving arthritis patients a wide variety of different health benefits when they consume them.
When caring for arthritis, take a holistic approach that takes the health of your entire body, mind and spirit into account. By staying at a good weight, keeping your muscles toned to help support your joints, eating well, and staying hydrated, you are doing your part to support your arthritis therapy plan.
This article is your first step towards learning what you need to know about your condition. Use the tips below to help manage your arthritis pain.
