How would you like to read some great tips about arthritis? Most likely if you are interested in this, then you are are currently suffering from it, or know somebody who is. Use this article to discover some of the best tips and tricks available for dealing with arthritis.
Cut back on cigarettes or quit smoking all together. Nicotine sometimes decreases blood flow towards your arms and legs, which possibly alleviates short term inflammation. You should understand though, that this lessened blood flow can cause significant damage to your joints, which will result in greater arthritis symptoms.
If you have rheumatoid arthritis, measure your pain. Use a scale of one to ten to let yourself know how difficult a new task is for you to accomplish. Take a measurement before the task, and again after. This will let you know how that task is effecting your body, and your life.
For arthritis sufferers, it is important to lose weight if you are overweight or obese. Excess weight just puts more strain and pressure on your arthritic joints, which can make your arthritis even worse. It is a proven fact that every pound you lose is four less pounds of pressure on your knees.
For people who suffer from arthritis in their hands or fingers, try wearing a hand brace. This is especially helpful for those who are on the computer often. These hand braces will help to keep joints in your hands and fingers supported, even when they are being used a lot.
Think about using aromatherapy to ease your arthritis pain. Aromatherapy is found to be useful for some people. Things that are relaxing tends to reduce many painful symptoms.
Keep in touch with your doctor about different options for treating your arthritis symptoms. There are almost always new options coming on the scene for treating arthritis. From new drugs to new physical therapies, stay on top of these advances by making sure your doctor knows that you are interested in learning more and trying new options.
Learn ways to adapt to your child’s need to play without injuring yourself or making your rheumatoid arthritis worse. If your child wants to play on the floor, try sitting on the bed or on the stairs to give yourself a break from trying to get up and down from the floor.
Try losing weight. Heavier individuals put more stress on their joints. This ultimately results in a higher rate of inflamed, swollen joints. Too much weight places additional strain on your joints and leads to swelling. Losing some weight can decrease the frequency and intensity of these flare-ups, so the most effective medical treatment may be just to lose the excess weight.
Make sure you listen when your body sends you a message. Each individual with arthritis is unique, so only you understand what and how you are feeling. Pay attention to any signals your body may be sending out, and heed them. If you are tired, stop what you are doing and rest.
If you have been having trouble turning door knobs, consider having your door hardware switched out for handles instead of knobs. When you are dealing with arthritis flare ups, you can use your elbow and forearm to do the work of opening the door saving your hands the trouble.
Focus on something else. When you are in pain, your mind is solely interested in that fact. If you can find something to draw your attention away from it, you will likely notice that your pain is actually lessening or possibly even disappearing. A distracting and focused hobby can be a great technique to use for this.
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.
Hot baths and showers can sooth arthritis pain. The moist heat will give you some relief from your arthritis pain by loosening your muscles and tendons, and helping you relax. A heating pad works great too. They are available for purchase at many retail outlets and can be used moist.
Rheumatoid arthritis causes more than physical pain; many people are embarrassed by how it limits them. Don’t be too hard on yourself. Perform only the tasks that you can without pain, and let go of any guilt. Remember, it’s not your fault.
Try using walking aids when you suffer from rheumatoid arthritis flare ups. Walking aids will help relieve the pain and stress on your joints. Every step you take can cause intense pain, so use crutches, a cane, or knee braces to help relieve the pressure and increase your mobility.
Regular exercise can help you manage the pain which is associated with arthritis. Your doctor can recommend an exercise program for you. Some physicians elect to send their arthritis patients to a physical therapist or an occupational therapist to have them design an exercise program for them to follow.
Take a break when you need one! Being active for prolonged periods of time can cause your arthritis to affect you. Allow your body to rest in order to get some energy and be stress free.
Keep your joints loose and lubricated by working on exercises that target your bodies range of motion. Spending time on these areas will help your joints better handle the tasks we set it through the day. Taking an aqua fit class or working on a stationary bicycle are both great ways to work on those joints without putting stress on your body.
Fish oil is known to ease pain and inflammation. Fish oil by itself tastes horrible, but you can take it in pills. You should take at least four grams of fish oil a day. This product is harmless and will help relieve the pain as efficiently as medications such as ibuprofen.
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