When it comes to arthritis, it seems that nobody is safe. Men and women of all ages and fitness levels, are potential targets of this painful and degenerative disease. These tips and tricks offer some basic insight into the different options that are available for anyone who is struggling to cope with the symptoms of this condition.
Discuss your arthritis with the younger members of your family. Small children may be concerned that you are injured if you are using wrist splints or walking aids. Discuss the condition with them at their level, so they can understand without fear and perhaps even assist you during a flare-up.
People with arthritis are dealing with both chronic pain and chronic fatigue. Set priorities for your day and stick to them. There will only be so much you can accomplish on a bad day. Figure out what’s most important and focus on getting that done, instead of trying to fight the pain and fatigue and do everything anyway.
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.
If you are in the process of designing a new house, and you suffer from arthritis, talk to your builder to see if any modifications can be made. Have a talk with the designer and help establish a list of must haves. Such simple modifications can greatly reduce your arthritis pain and improve your daily life.
When you have osteoarthritis, exercising your joints is an essential part of managing your condition. Experts have found that exercise helps relieve stiffness and keeps your joints more flexible. Stretching exercises along with light weight training can also improve your endurance and help you sleep more soundly, leading to less pain and a better quality of life.
If you find that your arthritis is getting worse and you cannot figure out why, you want to tell your doctors about certain medications that you are taking. Believe it or not, one of the side effects of many common medications is arthritis flare ups, and if this is the case for you, your doctor may have to switch your medication.
Consider joining an arthritis support group. Friends and family members who don’t suffer from arthritis may have a hard time understanding exactly what you are going through and how much it affects your life. Connecting with other arthritis sufferers in a supportive environment can make it easier to cope with the chronic , day to day pain and other difficulties associated with the disease.
Today, there are a variety of treatments and options offered for all types of arthritis and all types of patients. If you or someone you know is affected by the disease, remember the advice from this article, as you seek ways to minimize the pain and the limitations that accompany a diagnosis of arthritis.