At any give time, millions of men and women are battling the painful symptoms of arthritis. Arthritis can strike anyone, no matter how rich or poor, and its effects can range from mild joint stiffness to life-threatening complications. No matter the severity of the condition, arthritis must be managed when possible and dealt with carefully.
Always consult your physician before you make any changes to the medicine you take or how often you take it. There are pills that you need to take for a certain period of time before they kick in, and there are others that may cause ill effects should you stop too soon.
Even if you don’t particularly feel like doing it, exercises such as brisk walking, swimming and bicycling, can aid in relieving joint pain from arthritis. Ask your doctor beforehand to make sure the exercise you choose is suitable for your individual circumstances.
Get plenty of sleep. Without it, your body can never fight back against the painful effects of arthritis. The optimum amount of sleep is eight hours per night, and up to ten hours if your stress level is high. Your body will benefit greatly from sleep.
Doctors usually advise against the use of alcohol, especially when you have medical problems. But, research has shown that alcohol in moderation doesn’t aggravate arthritis symptoms. Many studies have shown that moderate consumption can lessen the symptoms.
Relax in a chair and do some deep breathing exercises. If having a bad time with your arthritis, you should try taking a break and just relax. This will help you mentally fight the pain.
Consider how everything you do will affect your joints. Arthritic conditions can make even the simplest chore seem like a major challenge. Instead of lifting a heavy object, you should attempt to slide it across the counter top or floor. You might also ask another person to help. The best thing you can do to prevent pain is to prevent irritation and inflammation.
Heating Pad
A heating pad, especially a moist pad, is very effective at relieving the pain of arthritis. A quality moist heating pad is a great investment for those times when the pain of arthritis is especially nagging. It is still important that you schedule an appointment to go and see your doctor to discuss your pain, however, the heating pad will assist you with pain relief for short periods of time.
If you are one of the millions that has to cope with osteoarthritis of the knees, you should speak with your physician about having electrical stimulation performed. Studies have shown that this treatment is quite effective in reducing arthritis pain and swelling in the knees.
You should never feel guilty or allow anyone else to make you feel guilty for having arthritis. When you have arthritis, you may not be comfortable performing certain tasks. Try to remind yourself that this is not because of you. Giving certain things up isn’t a reason to feel down.
The tips above make it clear that arthritis doesn’t have to get you down. You can still enjoy a variety of activities and pleasures, even when you suffer from arthritis. Use the above tips to get the pain under control. If you do, you might even be able to walk across the country with no problems.