At any given point, there are millions and millions of adults who are having difficulty living with arthritis. It is important to remain optimistic about the disease, especially when there are so many options available. The tips and tricks in this article will help you understand and deal with the nature of the disease.
Ice packs and heating pads can both be of use for relieving your arthritis joint pain. For the best results, alternate between cold and hot. Of course, always consult your doctor when treating arthritis pain.
Always wear solid, supportive shoes if you have arthritis. Beat up, old shoes affect the way you walk and by extension, put unnecessary stress on your legs. They’ll also wreak havoc on your leg joints. Try to find new workout shoes that provide you with extra cushioning to replace your current worn out soles.
Watch out for co-morbid condition, especially depression. Arthritis and depression can lock you into a feedback loop: you’re tired and in pain, so you can’t do the things you love, which makes you more upset. Being upset then leads to symptom flare-ups. If you think you are depressed, speak with your doctor about a referral to a psychiatrist.
If you suffer from arthritis, try not to wear clothing that is too tight against your skin. Tight clothing is just going to put more pressure on your joints, which in turn, will increase your pain. Instead, try to wear clothes that have enough room in them so that you are comfortable.
Be careful of what herbal remedies you take for arthritis and be sure you speak with your doctor before taking them. People think that because herbal remedies are natural, that they are healthy for you. This is not always the case. In fact, certain herbal remedies can make your arthritis worse.
Take the time to learn about your condition and keep track of new advances in the science of treating arthritis. Join an online community of people suffering from arthritis and share advice and tips with them. Ask your doctor any question you have about your condition. Knowledge is key in living with your arthritis.
You might want to look into joint surgery if none of the standard treatments seem to be working for your arthritis. Research has shown that this surgery is very effective, and it will help to undo the problems that arthritis has done to the flexibility in your joints.
Get in the water. Water aerobics is a great low impact exercise for arthritis sufferers, because not only does it put minimal strain on joints, it also provides resistance for strengthening. If you are uncomfortable with doing these in large groups, learn a few moves and take to the pool. You will quickly become more comfortable.
Join a group for parents with rheumatoid arthritis to have support from others who have been there and done that. Being able to get advice from someone who has first hand knowledge of the challenges can be a great help in dealing with the issues that you will face. Check online for groups if there aren’t any real life groups in your area.
Do not try to hide your condition from your children. Having a family member with rheumatoid arthritis affects everyone in the household even if they can’t understand exactly what’s going on. Teach younger children on a level they can understand. Just make sure that you keep them involved in what is going on with you.
Time yourself so you don’t overexert yourself. When you need to do chores, set a timer for five to ten minutes and take breaks. Instead of trying to complete a chore and taking a chance on harming yourself, listen to your body and stop when necessary.
Avoid smoking if you would like to reduce arthritic symptoms. Studies have shown many non-smokers have fewer issues with arthritis pain and swelling than smokers. You should seriously consider quitting smoking to help you with your arthritis. If you are having a hard time quitting try asking your doctor about it; there are medications that will help.
Whenever you dwell on something, you just make it worse. It is important in your healing process not to dwell on the bad things but instead dwell on the good things. Remember things that are important to you that you want to focus on, and take your mind off of the pain.
It is important that you take a pro-active stance in creating your arthritis therapy program. There are dozens of different arthritic conditions and millions of patients in the world, which makes the possible combinations and treatment plans almost infinite. You have to know what treatments are available to you and what you can do to better your arthritis, when you do this you find a better treatment fit for your individual needs.
If you suffer from rheumatoid arthritis, always pay attention to what you are eating. Some foods can actually cause arthritis pain in some people. Try using an elimination diet. Remove problem foods from your diet and slowly add them back over time. Dairy and seafood are known to cause allergic reactions which trigger arthritis symptoms.
Try using hot wax to alleviate arthritis symptoms. The hot wax works to relax your muscles and decrease the inflammation and pain that are characteristic of arthritis. Similar to warm bath soaks, the heat caused by the wax goes completely around your toes and fingers for some relief.
Sometimes people who suffer from rheumatoid arthritis find it beneficial to get involved in an active community of other people who also have the condition. Even if you just read blogs and articles written by others who suffer from rheumatoid arthritis, you will feel less isolated and feel more empowered with the knowledge.
If you follow the advice given in this article, you will find yourself better prepared to cope with your condition. While arthritis may make it difficult to perform certain tasks, it is certainly not the end of the world. There are many options available to help you make it through each day with your arthritis.
