The joint disorder known as arthritis comes in many forms. Osteoarthritis is the most common form and results from trauma, age, or infection of the affected joint. Other forms of arthritis, such as rheumatoid and psoriatic arthritis, are caused by auto immune responses. Whatever form of arthritis you have, the following tips will help you cope with them.
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.
Arthritis is becoming more and more common! If you notice that you have pain, swelling, or stiffness around your joints, it is important that you see your doctor right away! This could be a sign of arthritis, and if that is the case, you want treatment to begin as soon as possible. Make sure, you also, ask your doctor what kind of arthritis it is. This will be helpful when getting the proper treatment!
Take your time with major clean up tasks if arthritis is a part of your life. Major cleaning tasks, like mopping and changing bed sheets, put a strain on your body. They involve the use, and sometimes over use, of several different muscles and joints. Take a break when you can or better yet, ask for help. You don’t have to do it all in one day.
Aquatic activities and water aerobics are ideal exercises for arthritis sufferers. These activities will stretch your muscles and joints. In addition, warm water is known to alleviate chronic arthritis pain. If you don’t feel comfortable in the water, consider taking a swimming class.
Try pushing the clippers down with the heel of one of your hands to cut your fingernails. Just make sure you other hand is laying on something sturdy. Doing so makes this task simpler, and prevents you from being required to use your aching fingers.
Research the various forms and symptoms of arthritis. There is a vast library of information available to those with arthritis which gives information on managing pain, effective exercises and dietary do’s and don’ts. By thoroughly researching your arthritis, you can learn some new treatments, and be introduced to some exercises and foods that can help reduce some of your pain.
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.
Know your limits. Pushing yourself too hard can be detrimental to your health and safety. If you want to attempt something that may be a reach, try to have someone nearby in case you need assistance. You do not want to cause undue stress on your mind or your joints, so give yourself boundaries.
Keep all of your pots and pans where you can easily reach them. Try using a pot hanger that comes down from the ceiling or using wall hooks that are easily reached to store your cookware. This will help you avoid bending that can stress your joints in the kitchen.
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.
It used to be common advice to arthritis sufferers to avoid consuming alcoholic beverages. More recent studies, however, have found that moderate alcohol consumption does not aggravate the symptoms of arthritis. Some studies even suggest that alcohol consumption in moderation may help reduce arthritis symptoms.
Do not be afraid to ask for help when dealing with arthritis pain. Many people are more than willing to help and all you have to do is ask. Maybe a neighbor could deliver your mail for you, or a trusted friend can help you with chores around the home. There are always people who are willing to help if you just ask.
Exercise usually helps you to cope well with your arthritis, but be careful with the kinds of exercise you do. There are some exercises that will stress your body too much. Sports such as bicycling, walking, or swimming are better choices for you than sports that require precise hand maneuvers, such as tennis.
As stated before in the introduction for this article, arthritis can come in many forms. Osteoarthritis is a common form that results from age, infection, or trauma, while rheumatoid and psoriatic arthritis are auto immune forms. Use the tips from the article above to help you with any form of arthritis you may be suffering from.
