The incidence of arthritis has dramatically increased in recent years. The condition affects the joints, causing inflammation and sharp pain that can make movement difficult. The article provided below can assist anyone suffering from arthritis by giving some useful information on how to treat it.
Stay away from smoking, and quit if you are already smoking. Nicotine sometimes decreases blood flow towards your arms and legs, which possibly alleviates short term inflammation. However, the damage done to your joints by the lack of blood flow will cause your arthritis to increase in severity more quickly.
Women who are living with arthritis might want to reconsider high heels. While high heels may be stylish, they are bad for your feet and joints. They tend to cause a twisting pressure on your knees, which can only aggravate the arthritis in these crucial, complicated joints. Stick to comfortable shoes and your arthritis pain will likely diminish. Your joints will appreciate it!
Bring a little yoga into your life. Studies show that yoga, because of its relaxing nature and exercise it provides, can soothe the joint pain that arthritis causes.
Soothe Arthritic
Swimming is a great way to soothe arthritic pain. Aquatic exercise can stretch out joints and muscles. Additionally, the water itself may soothe arthritic joints, especially warm water. If you need to learn to swim, join a class.
Try keeping a journal or diary is you suffer from the symptoms of arthritis. Writing may aid you in learning what sets the wheels of arthritis pain and discomfort into motion. Reading your diary entries will allow you to deduce which activities trigger flare ups. Share the journal with your physician so he or she can prescribe proper treatment options. A pain diary can also help you determine the exact type of arthritis you are suffering from.
To cut your fingernails using a toenail clipper, lay the clipper down onto your thigh and press down using the palm of your hand. This avoids using your fingers and facilitates the task.
If you have exhausted all forms of arthritis treatments and nothing has worked, you should consult your doctor about surgery for your joints. While invasive, this procedure has proven to work in most patients, restoring flexibility and mobility.
Weight Loss
Be a healthy weight to reduce the stress that is on your joints. Having excess pounds on your body can increase the strain on your joints, which makes your arthritis symptoms worse. However, as with any weight loss, it is important that the weight loss is done in a healthy way so that your body still receives the nutrients it requires, and not by missing out on meals.
To get temporary relief, invest in a heating pad with moist heat. If you have persistent pain or your arthritis is seriously impairing your ability to perform activities of daily living, buying a heating pad that gives moist, penetrating heat might be a good idea. You will get a temporary reprieve from the pain, but you still need to talk to your doctor about long-term relief.
If you want your joint pain to improve, work on your abdominal muscles. Stronger abdominal muscles can improve your posture, which in turn can improve your joint health. Avoid overexerting yourself so that you do not cause injury to your body.
Arthritis sufferers need to take more care than the average person to avoid the sun. Exposure to too much sun can aggravate arthritis conditions, even leaving sufferers more vulnerable to other conditions, such as Lupus. Take more care to keep your skin out of the sun so you can prevent illness due to arthritis.
Confide in friends and loved ones regarding your experiences with arthritis. If the people you care about understand your condition, they might be able to point you in the direction of useful resources. By them knowing what’s going on, they will be able to help you out where they can.
As already stated, arthritis sufferers have greatly increased in the past few years. This could be because the population is getting older, they eat worse and are less active. However, with the information given here, you should be able to reduce the effect arthritis has on your life.