When you have arthritis it can make the simple and easy things in life seem very difficult. Fortunately, there are many excellent resources available to help you cope with the symptoms of this condition. This article will arm you with some knowledge that can make dealing with arthritis much easier.

Do whatever it takes to stay away from cigarette smoke, including quitting if you have this habit. 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. However, the damage done to your joints by the lack of blood flow will cause your arthritis to increase in severity more quickly.

If you want to reduce your arthritis pain prior to sleeping, run a hot bath, and add bath salts for maximum effect. With the relaxation that follows, your pain will be alleviated, thus contributing to longer periods of sound sleep.

While some medical conditions are exacerbated by consumption of alcoholic beverages, this is not always the case. Some studies, in fact, suggest that some arthritis symptoms may be ameliorated by a modest alcohol intake.

Learn everything you can about arthritis once you or a loved one is diagnosed. There are a number of good resources available for people that are suffering from arthritis, and you will be able to learn some exercise, pain management and nutrition tips. As long as you seek out the information, you are likely to find many treatments and techniques to keep pain under control.

Lie back, close your eyes and practice some deep breathing exercises. You will be able to forget your problems and focus on something happier.

Go to therapy. People suffering from arthritis sometimes have problems being alone, so therapy can help you remember you’re not a helpless person. Depression is common with arthritis sufferers, so a support group or therapy can help with this as well.

If you have osteoarthritis in your knee(s), you might want to ask your doctor about trying electrical stimulation treatments. This treatment has been proven in reducing arthritic knee swelling and pain simultaneously.

You need to alternate between cold and hot treatments. When your joints get fatigued and inflamed, alternating between cold and hot packs will bring the swelling down and soothe your pains. Be sure to not overdo it with icing, as you may end up causing more harm than good. Try two times a day at most.

Monitor your stress level. Stress can often trigger arthritis pain or inflammation of the joints. Look for ways to reduce stress in your life and utilize these techniques to help keep you calm. Even if you are not having an arthritis flare-up, being stress free is good for your overall health.

Use a timer regularly. Set the timer for 10 minutes so you can take breaks when you’re doing chores or other laborious activities. It’s tempting to try and ignore the pain to get something done, but this can really hurt you.

Over time, smoking cigarettes can compromise your flexibility; this bad habit may also increase the frequency and severity of arthritis flare-ups. Giving up smoking for good may be very difficult, but when you see how much it exacerbates your arthritis symptoms, the trade-off may be worth it.

A good tip to remember if you’re suffering from arthritis: try to keep laughing. Whether you’re cracking wise with your friends, watching romantic comedies with your family or even recalling a funny happenstance from your memory bank, laughter truly is a potent medicine. Laughter is very strong for someone with arthritis and it has many benefits.

To alleviate stiffness and pain in your joints, apply castor oil to your joints. Both the oil and the massage can give you lasting relief. Massage helps to increase blood flow around the joints and loosen the ligaments, and castor helps with joint stiffness.

You should aim for adequate rest regularly. It’s important for any arthritis sufferer to experience the rejuvenating effects of a good night’s rest. Try tuning out everything in your world as you fall asleep, such as cell phones and lights, and employ some method of relaxation to give you a deep and therapeutic rest.

In order to minimize the pain and swelling associated with arthritis, you should avoid smoking. Research has indicated that smokers have more issues with joint swelling and pain related to arthritis than nonsmokers. If you are a smoker, it may be time to give quitting a try. If you tried to quit before and couldn’t, you should consider talking to your doctor since he could help you with some options, including prescribing you medication that is known to help people quit smoking.

Black Cohosh

When you have pain that causes tiredness, treat it with heat. Many people believe cold packs are great for all kinds of pain, but this isn’t the case with arthritis sufferers. A hot pack will both help relieve your pain and make you feel more energized.

Many people have reported that Black Cohosh has helped them to alleviate their pain and swelling. It alleviates all kinds of arthritic inflammations, and is generally helpful to all things related to your nervous system. If you have arthritis, Black Cohosh is at least worth trying.

An essential consideration in managing arthritis, is your diet. Tests have proven that many people will show higher energy levels and increased functionality when their diets consist of olive oils, legumes, fruits and vegetables. In addition, the increased intake of fruit and vegetables will have a positive effect on your overall good health.

Listen to your body. Every arthritis sufferer is different from the next, and you are no exception. Only you are aware of how the condition specifically affects your body. Pay attention to any signals your body may be sending out, and heed them. If you’re weary, stop to rest.

Using some of these tips should help make life more bearable if you suffer from arthritis. Apply the tips you learned wherever you can in your life. Review this article periodically to maximize its benefit to you.