Arthritis can be very painful to deal with, and a lot of different people deal with it. You can reduce your arthritis discomfort by following the suggestions listed in this article. Use the following tips to help manage pain and avoid flare-ups.
Maintain a healthy weight. Being overweight causes stress on the joints especially in the knees and hips. This added stress leads to flare-ups of arthritis. This is in addition to the well-known health dangers of being overweight and the detrimental effects it has on your mood and energy levels. Speak with your doctor about a safe weight loss plan.
Keep pain relieving medications and ointments handy, such as on the countertop. If you suffer from a sudden attack, you may not want to have to reach and grab for your pills. In addition, if you have your medications in your purse or in your car, they will be available if you need them while not at home.
Both heat and ice can help to take some of the ache out of your joints, so try applying these in pack form to your pained areas. For the most effective results, you should alternate between hot and cold methods. The heat will improve circulation to the area while relaxing muscles.
Make sure you don't smoke. Smoking has been shown to increase your risk of developing rheumatoid arthritis. Not only that, but if you do develop it, smoking has been shown to worsen the joint damage. Patients who smoke most often have much more severe symptoms than those patients who don't smoke.
Keeping a daily diary can help you figure out what causes your rheumatoid arthritis to flare up. This diary may help you see what triggers your flare ups. You can also get a better idea of which treatments really help. Show the diary to your doctor so she can make a more informed decision about treatments for you. It is a very useful resource overall.
Acupuncture is great for those who have chronic arthritis. Acupuncture has been proven to help the pain that many arthritis suffers experience. Just be aware that acupuncture is not an instant fix. To get effective and ongoing pain relief, you'll need to commit yourself to regular treatments.
Be careful of what herbal remedies you take for arthritis and be sure you speak with your doctor before taking them. People think that because herbal remedies are natural, that they are healthy for you. This is not always the case. In fact, certain herbal remedies can make your arthritis worse.
You ,ay want to consider going to therapy. Therapy is a great way to help out with your arthritis, as it lets you know that you aren't alone and you can get through this problem. People who have arthritis are prone to developing other ailments, such as depression, so participating in therapy can help deal with these important issues.
Hopefully, you've learned a valuable tip or two that you can use to fight the discomfort or pain caused by your arthritis. Remember, these are only a few of the many pieces of advice that are out there and if nothing here helps, don't give up your search! Eventually, you'll find something that works for you.
