Millions of Americans suffer from arthritis. It can be a painful and debilitating disease. This article will give you suggestions on how to deal with the pain of arthritis. The tips offered may not eradicate the pain, but they will help you to ease it.
Laughter is the best medicine. Most experts agree on the medicinal value of laughter and how it can improve moods, reduce stress and alleviate the symptoms of any condition, including arthritis. Watch a comedic movie or laugh at the simple things in life to have a better attitude.
Consider dropping a couple pounds if your arthritis is causing knee pain. The heavier you are, the more pressure you place on your knee joints. This added pressure only adds to the pain, damage and deterioration. Lose some weight to stay away from arthritis pain from here on out.
Be sure you understand what the symptoms of arthritis are. This will benefit you in early diagnosis and treatment. If you are afflicted by any symptoms of arthritis, then you should have your condition properly diagnosed by a doctor. This will help you to determine the most appropriate course of action.
Most doctors recommend moderate exercise for arthritic patients, but be sure you are doing safe activities. There are some exercises that could cause body damage. Sports such as bicycling, walking, or swimming are better choices for you than sports that require precise hand maneuvers, such as tennis.
Make use of assistant devices when doing strenuous activities. If you know that you will be standing for a long time, or lifting heavy objects, make sure that you protect your arthritic joints from a lot of pressure that can cause further damage. Damaging your joints further will result in more pain, and it is helpful to refrain from strenuous activity.
You should use both hot and cold packs, in an alternating fashion. It's easy to overuse your joints, and switching between these cold and hot packs can ease pain and decrease swelling. However, these treatments will lead to some more issues if you overdo it. Do not do this more than twice a day.
Try keeping a journal of your thoughts and emotions. By keeping a diary of when your pain flares up, you will be better equipped to recognize the things that trigger painful events. Be sure to record information such as location and amount of pain as well as foods that you eat too.
If you get too hot from overexertion, your arthritis may start to worsen. Let your body cool down to avoid this. Rest in a cool spot, while abstaining from activity until you no longer feel overheated.
When exercising to help with your arthritis, you have to listen to your body and not push yourself too hard. Take your time, and stop if your body tells you to. If you do feel new pain that lasts for more than a couple day, contact your doctor about it.
Cutting back on stress and taking the time to relax can have a great positive effect on your arthritis. Chemicals are released when your body is stressed. These chemicals can trigger inflammation, which can increase the pain associated with arthritis. Activities, such as exercise and learning how to better manage your time, and responsibilities can help to alleviate stress.
Carefully monitor your food intake. Some arthritis sufferers are unaware they have food allergies. Keep detailed notes about the foods that you eat and what symptoms you experience. Note what foods make your symptoms worse. You might be able to determine its root cause.
Get tested for nutritional deficiencies regularly. Deficiencies in iron or B-12 can lead to arthritis fare-up and general poor health. Take your vitamins and have your levels checked regularly to reduce your risk of pain and other arthritis symptoms.
Invest in helpful equipment. Having the correct tools can make your job a whole lot easier. Take advantage of specially designed products and you'll have your independence back in no time. These tools can make a big difference in your life.
Make stretching a part of your daily routine. Once a day, if you're not in pain, stretch out your joints. Talk to your physician about developing a stretching program that will help you out. Take a hot bath when you wake up, and then stretch.
If you suffer from arthritis, you should always avoid using worn out shoes for exercising purposes. Beat up, old shoes affect the way you walk and by extension, put unnecessary stress on your legs. Your joints may also suffer from poor footwear. If there's noticeable wear, especially on the soles, replace them with new workout shoes.
Moist heating pads can offer relief for arthritis discomfort. If your arthritis pain is nagging or becomes too painful to allow you to properly function, you may want to invest in a moist heating pad. You will get a temporary reprieve from the pain, but you still need to talk to your doctor about long-term relief.
Try cognitive behavioral therapy. Therapy can help people rid themselves of negative therapy by changing the way they perceive the world. Suffering with a long term illness, like arthritis, can exacerbate stress and make life much more difficult, so cognitive therapy may lead to an increased quality of life.
You can see a lot of pain relief from arthritis simply by using proper tools to accomplish things. You do not have to shop at specialty stores to buy these products; many are now being designed to be ergonomic. Drawer pulls, knives, pens, and can openers are being made so that they are easier to use for everyone.
Protect unaffected joints as well as treating those that are currently affected. Arthritis may spread to other areas of your body, so it is important not to put too much pressure on healthy joints.
The right type of exercise is crucial. Exercise can keep you healthy and fit as well as improve your flexibility. Doing light exercise will stop your joints from becoming inflamed, but you have to be sure not to overdo it. Stop doing it if you begin to feel any pain.
Hopefully, you've learned a valuable tip or two that you can use to fight the discomfort or pain caused by your arthritis. Remember, these are only a few of the many pieces of advice that are out there and if nothing here helps, don't give up your search! Eventually, you'll find something that works for you.
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