There is more than one type of arthritis and it is important to know what you have before you can begin proper treatment. If you find this fact helpful, then read this article because it contains even more helpful advice in order to help you live comfortably in the face of this painful condition.
Stretch your symptom-free joints every day. A warm shower followed by a gentle stretching routine will cause you to feel looser for the rest of the day. Warm, loose muscles will cause less stress on your joints, which means that you will suffer from fewer flare-ups and less pain throughout your day.
Arthritis joint pain can be relieved simply by doing low impact exercises, such as swimming, walking or cycling. If you’re dubious at first about your ability to exercise, consult a doctor.
Take your time with major clean up tasks if arthritis is a part of your life. Major cleaning tasks, like mopping and changing bed sheets, put a strain on your body. They involve the use, and sometimes over use, of several different muscles and joints. Take a break when you can or better yet, ask for help. You don’t have to do it all in one day.
It is important that you quit smoking if you suffer from arthritis. It is a proven medical fact that smoking can make your arthritis symptoms worse. Also, if you smoke and you are taking medications to control your arthritis symptoms, smoking can actually decrease the positive effects of these medications.
Be mindful of the condition of your joints. Arthritis can make the smallest job difficult or painful. Keep in mind to avoid lifting items, just request help or either push them across the floor. If you make an effort to protect your joints from strain and inflammation, you can avoid unnecessary pain and promote flexibility.
For those with chronic arthritis that drive, you are eligible to receive a pass for handicapped parking. This is not widely-known by those afflicted, suffering unnecessarily by not taking advantage of this helping hand.
It is very important that you drink a lot of water and stay away from sugary drinks if you suffer from chronic arthritis. Water helps to improve muscle and joint strength, while sugary drinks like soda make you gain weight, which causes more pressure to be put on your joints.
Take the time to have your family educated about your rheumatoid arthritis and the different challenges that will occur while you live with this condition. There are classes available through The Arthritis Foundation, and there are many books available that can be used to teach your family about the condition.
Take a nap. Leading a sedentary lifestyle is not a healthy move for anyone, but arthritis sufferers will often be hit by bouts of fatigue. In these cases, take a short nap to give your body the rest it needs, and you will find yourself more easily able to complete your everyday tasks.
Get educated about your unique condition. There are over a hundred different types of arthritis, and learning about yours will only help you be able to manage it more effectively. Get a diagnosis from a doctor, and then do your own research to find out what to expect and how to deal with it.
After you eat dinner, take a good walk. If you take a walk after supper on a regular basis, you may feel better and have increased energy during the remainder of the evening. Even a little walk with a family member or friend can have many positive affects on your health, and you get to spend quality time with this person.
Start using other parts of your body to do the work when you are lifting items. You can use your shoulder to help get something that is placed a little higher. Incorporating other areas of your body will reduce the strain that you put on your most heavily used joints and muscles.
Have sturdy footwear that is meant for the activity you are performing. Different shoes are necessary for normal wear and exercise, because you are putting strain on different joints for each action. Having great shoes meant for each activity will decrease any chance of injury or irritation, as well as making sure to increase flexibility.
There are three main classes of arthritis: Osteoarthritis, Rheumatiod Arthritis and Psoriatic Arthritis. Each type requires a different treatment.
For arthritis pain try using hot and cold treatments to help. Apply heat to the area with a heating pad or try chilling out with an ice pack or ice water to help soothe your joints. Alternating hot and cold can help provide some powerful pain relief as well.
Stop smoking. Smoking not only increase the chances of getting arthritis, it also causes the sufferer to have more painful symptoms and more damage to their joints than those who do not smoke. Of course, there are a variety of other health benefits that are associated with not smoking as well, so it is important to make a change as soon as possible.
When suffering from severe arthritis symptoms, try looking into getting some physical therapy. If your doctor can prescribe it, it is possible that it will be covered by your health insurance. Although it is typically a short term option, physical therapy can help you gain enough strength and movement to begin a proper exercise program.
Know your individual risks for arthritis and prevent damage however you can. If you are at a higher risk of arthritis, you want to take extra care to follow prevention tips and maintain a better fitness level for stronger joints and less risk overall. Even if arthritis runs in your family, there are things you can do to prevent joint damage and pain, and you should be doing these things to lessen your risk.
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