Arthritis can make every day activities painful and difficult to complete. It is rather easy to feel defeated and overwhelmed, and to think that you cannot enjoy your favorite activities anymore.
Reduce the pain and stiffness cause by arthritis by alternating heat and cold treatments. Try applying ice packs and a heating pad alternatively. Talking to your doctor will help you learn how to properly use the heating pad and ice packs.
If you have rheumatoid arthritis, start a daily journal. As you go back and read your diary, you will notice things that have triggered pain repeatedly. It also might help you to gain an understanding of the remedies that have helped you in the past. Share this type of knowledge with your doctor so he is able to prescribe the best treatment options. A diary can be a great tool for documenting and understanding what causes pain.
Treating arthritis early on can be helpful. One way to prevent arthritis is to type with the right habits. Have your hands on the same level as the keyboard, and get a thick mouse pad. Reducing the strain put on your wrists and fingers at your computer, especially if you spend a lot of time there, can lessen the problems of arthritis or even act as a preventative method.
Try alternating the use of cold and hot packs. This will soothe the pain more efficiently and reduce the strain on your joints. Use such treatments in moderation; over-indulging in heating or icing can cause more joint problems in the future. Aim for twice a day at the maximum.
Aromatherapy may help alleviate some of the pain from arthritis. Aromatherapy has been shown to have a positive impact on many chronic health problems, including arthritis. It has been medically proven to help relax joints and muscles, which helps to alleviate pain.
Consider adding therapy to your strategies for fighting arthritis problems. Therapy can be helpful in reminding people with arthritis that they are still capable, despite the difficulties of living by themselves. People who have arthritis are prone to developing other ailments, such as depression, so participating in therapy can help deal with these important issues.
It is crucial that you watch what you are eating. Some arthritis sufferers are unaware they have food allergies. Keep a running food log, and make notes on your symptoms after each meal. You might discover some patterns, and even find out what’s causing flare-ups.
Strive to always get a good night’s sleep. When you sleep your body has time to build up energy and heal, which is key for arthritis sufferers. If you do not get enough sleep your body will be in far more pain than if you do. It can help to minimize distractions by turning your phone ringer off, and darkening anything that omits any type of light.
It’s a good idea to talk to a doctor and set up a treatment plan as soon as you get the first signs of arthritis. Starting treatment early will help to minimize any future damage to your joints. The best thing anyone facing arthritis can do is find a trusted professional as soon as possible with which to entrust their condition and ensuing treatments.
Eating proteins is important. Protein is very important for arthritis sufferers because you need more than most people do. Vegetarians especially need to find specific methods of ingesting protein as it is hard to find in veggies.
Lose weight. Arthritis conditions are often exacerbated by extra weight, which can lead to inflammation and swelling. Joints have to work harder to support excess weight, and this makes flare-ups more common and more painful. Losing weight will dramatically improve your arthritis pain.
Pay Attention
Pay attention to what your body is telling you. Arthritis is different for everyone, and only you know how bad the condition is for you. Pay attention to signals that your body is sending to you, and listen to them. If the pain becomes overwhelming, then by all means take a break or take a pill.
Your doctor can provide you with information about pain medications. There is no cure for arthritis, so effective pain relief is really the best treatment. Avoiding further damage is also very highly recommended. The best way to go about this it to talk to a doctor about treatments that are FDA approved. You may also want to speak with the doctor about other methods that might help with your condition.
To alleviate stiffness and pain in your joints, apply castor oil to your joints. The oil has inherent beneficial properties, but the act of rubbing and massaging is an added benefit. Castor oil relieves some stiffness, while massaging gets blood flowing into the joints, which relieves swelling and pain.
Staying pro-active is important for you and your arthritis, you want to make sure you create a good arthritis therapy program. There are many types of arthritis, and millions of individualized cases, so the variation of needs, symptoms, and pain levels is great. This is why it’s important that you know and understand not only the signs and symptoms of arthritis, but also the many different treatment options that may help you relieve the pain.
Watch your weight if you’re an arthritis sufferer. Excess weight can place a great deal of stress on your joints. Learn more about nutrition, and adopt a healthy diet as well as a healthier lifestyle. Set a goal for yourself, and aim to reach it.
Occupational Therapist
You can benefit from an occupational therapist. Learning how to live independently and how to focus on things you do that impact your arthritis negatively is something a quality OT can help you with. Your occupational therapist can teach you to eliminate problem areas so that you have more freedom in your life.
If you are like many people, you will find some significant relief from the symptoms of arthritis by following the effective methods in the article above. If arthritis is ruining your life, it is time to start taking action to manage your condition.