If you or somebody you know is experiencing painful arthritis, you need to know some facts about treating the condition. This article should give you a better idea of how to deal with your arthritis.

Stay away from cigarette smoke, whether you smoke yourself or not. Inflammation will be made worse if your blood does not flow to the extreme parts of your body and cause a lot of unneeded pain. In turn, this decreased circulation can damage joints and exacerbate your condition. Therefore, it is far preferable to overcome your addiction in favor of the health of your joints.

In comparison to other medical issues, research has shown that moderate consumption of alcohol does not exacerbate the problem. On the contrary, some research suggests that moderate consumption of alcohol may even reduce some arthritis symptoms.

If you have arthritis, say “no” to high heels and “yes” to comfortable flat shoes. If you suffer from arthritis in any of your joints, uncomfortable shoes can cause increased pain, due to abnormal gait. This is why you should purchase comfortable shoes that will give you needed support.

Switch between both cold and heat applications for treatment. It is easy to strain your joints, so using cold and hot packs on them can reduce the discomfort and swelling. Try not to do these treatments too often, as over-icing or heating can lead to more issues down the road. Try to do these on the maximum capped at two times a day.

Don’t try to do more than you are able if your condition is psoriatic arthritis. Although you will still be able to continue enjoying your favorite activities, your body will require more rest. Living in the “ignorance of bliss” mode can actually make your symptoms get worse. Concentrate your thoughts and energies onto what is truly important. Sometimes it’s alright to reduce the amount of responsibility you undertake.

Learn the symptoms of arthritis. Early diagnosis is key when it comes to arthritis, so it is important to recognize its symptoms. If these are some things that you have been experiencing, you should make an appointment with your doctor to diagnosis your situation.

Talk to your doctor and make sure you get the treatment you need right away. You can reduce the damage to your joints from arthritis by getting your start against the effects early. Take action immediately when you first receive the diagnosis. Talk to your doctor and get your treatment started.

Let your doctor check for deficiencies. Arthritis flare-ups and inflammation are more common if your body is operating with a short of important nutrients, such as vitamin B-12 or iron. Knowing what your levels are, and having them checked often will reduce your risk for flare ups.

Try natural remedies such as Castor oil to treat joint pain; simply rub a small amount directly into your joints. Both the oil and your message will help relieve your arthritic symptoms. Massage increases blood flow, lessening pain and swelling, and the stiffness benefits from the castor oil.

Maintain a journal. If you have a daily diary of events and pain, you can actually look for trends that will tell you what your triggers are. Make sure you also take note of time of day, weather conditions and location to find other natural causes for your symptoms.

Quitting smoking can serve as a huge benefit to your health, as it will reduce the swelling and irritation from arthritis. Studies have proven that those who don’t smoke, have less problems with joints than those that do. If you are a smoker you should think about quitting to minimize your symptoms. If you have tried to quit and have failed, speak to your doctor about getting a prescribed medication to help kick the habit.

Yoga can be beneficial for arthritis sufferers as a boost for overall vitality. Yoga allows you to calm your mind while stretching all your muscles, and both are great for treating arthritis. If you would prefer not to join a yoga class, you can purchase a yoga routine DVD instead. When you work out with a DVD, you can still get a wonderful exercise routine, but you will not have to leave your house.

Instead of letting your arthritis control you, try improving the condition by learning what you can about it. This information provides you a starting point where you can consider various treatments in order to eliminate the pain of this condition.