Because arthritis is a chronic disease, understanding how to manage it is critical. Finding the optimum combination of drugs, treatments, and lifestyle changes to help you manage pain and other issues takes time. However, by investigating and adopting these tips, you will be one step closer to living your best life despite arthritis.
Emotional
It is natural to experience anxiety, fear, wrath, and despair when living with pain or restrictions to your usual activities.
Make every effort to reduce stress and prevent negativity. Find out what makes you feel good. It could be church, music, nature, or something completely else. When you’ve discovered what drives your positivity, make a commitment to making time for it. Hold on to those memories. A cheerful mindset can help you get through the toughest difficulties.
You may find yourself in “why me” or “I can’t” states of mind. These feelings may arise from time to time, but being sad most of the time and not participating in activities you once enjoyed are symptoms of depression. Discuss your emotional struggles with your healthcare physician. Medication and/or talk therapy may be beneficial.
Physical
You may have begun to limit your activities due to pain, but physical activities and general mobility in daily life are beneficial to your health. You may have to make changes to sports and activities you have long enjoyed, but you can also use this as an opportunity to create new passions.
Eat Healthily
Living with chronic pain is a physical challenge. Among the consequences are increased fatigue and energy depletion. To offer your body every benefit and recover your energy, you should consume a healthy diet.
While research on the effects of diet on inflammation is ongoing, most of the proposed anti-inflammatory foods are ones that should be part of a balanced diet. Avoid foods that you suspect cause flare-ups if you have rheumatoid arthritis.
Get Rid of Excess Weight
Excess weight places additional strain on the joints, which can aggravate pain. Watch your calorie consumption to stay at your optimum weight. If you are overweight or obese, you should reduce your daily calorie intake by 500. You should also engage in regular physical activity to burn calories while eating less will have the greatest impact on weight loss.
People with arthritis frequently believe that they can’t do enough to change their weight. Even minor modifications have a big impact. Loading forces on your knee as you take a step are reduced fourfold for every pound dropped.
Exercise
Even if you are at your optimal weight, you should engage in physical activity. One-third of arthritis patients do not exercise. They may assume they are unable to exercise or that doing so may aggravate their arthritis symptoms. Exercise, in actuality, aids in the maintenance of joint function, bone strength, and muscular strength. It is regarded as a key component of the therapy of hip and knee osteoarthritis, for example. Exercise helps with weight loss, but it also improves sleep and mood.
Any movement is preferable to none. Set realistic goals for yourself and work toward them at your own speed.
Tai chi, for example, is gentle on the joints and aids in the maintenance of balance and flexibility. Walking, biking and swimming are all viable possibilities. Pool activities are very good for your joints.
Rest and sleep soundly
While it is suggested that you often exercise and stay active, you should also recognize that rest is vital. Resting a painful joint can help relieve pain since your body needs time to recover. Prolonged durations of rest, on the other hand, can work against you, promoting pain and weakness. Strive for a healthy mix of rest and activity.
Sleep disruptions are prevalent in people with osteoarthritis, according to experts, and pain can cause sleep disturbances, while poor sleep can increase pain.
This can become a vicious cycle. To offer yourself the best opportunity of getting enough sleep each night, be aware of appropriate sleeping practices.
Social
You might be somewhat limited to doing everything you could before your arthritis diagnosis, so seek assistance when necessary. You might be startled to learn that family and friends have been waiting for the request and are eager to help. Be forthright about the type of support that would be most beneficial to you.
Getting out and mingling or going on a day trip can improve your mood dramatically. Visiting or dining with pals will help you stay in touch. You can also treat yourself to a salon visit, a massage, or a spa treatment.
Local and online support groups might help you connect with other people who experience arthritis. It is beneficial to surround oneself with people who have firsthand knowledge of what you are going through. You will frequently learn fresh life tips that they utilize to cope with arthritis.
Practical
Arthritis hampers the activities of 23.7 million Americans, according to the CDC.
Adults with arthritis are limited in their social activities 6 million, have trouble mounting stairs by 8 million, and have difficulties walking short distances by 11 million.
Being prepared and planning ahead of time might assist you in simplifying your duties and eliminating unnecessary procedures. This permits you to devote more time and energy to activities that you enjoy.
Accessibility Improvements
Environmental adjustments and modifications may help protect your joints and lessen pain. It is critical that you make your home and work environments accessible and comfortable.
Simple changes such as switching out a chair for one that makes it easier to transition from sitting to standing, organizing shelves to keep frequently used items easily accessible, investing in a supportive mattress, or purchasing other ergonomic equipment or assistive devices can make a significant difference.
Arthritis can limit the type or amount of employment that one in every three adults of working age (18 to 65 years) can undertake. Accommodations may be made in the workplace in accordance with the ADA (Americans with Disabilities Act). Other changes to your job could include a changed work schedule or a light-duty position.
Use Adaptive Equipment
Look for strategies to reduce stress on arthritis-affected joints. There are jar-opening solutions, for example, if arthritis in your hands makes that chore tough. If you have difficulties reaching your feet, sock aids and long shoe horns might assist you in putting on your socks and shoes.
Many such devices, tailored to your unique needs, can be recommended by an occupational therapist.
Keep a Record of Your Symptoms and Treatment
Tracking your arthritis symptoms in a diary, journal, or app will allow you to notify your healthcare practitioner as soon as there is a change. You might also make a list of the questions you wish to ask your healthcare provider. If your symptoms worsen, you should consider changing your treatment. The best chance of halting disease development is with early treatment.
Set up pill minders or other organizers if you take numerous prescriptions to ensure you take them at the proper time. Track any supplements or herbal products you use and make sure you’ve discussed them with your healthcare physician.
Treatment plan adherence is crucial to controlling your illness. Keep track of refills and scheduled appointments with your healthcare practitioner.
What causes flare-ups of arthritis?
The reason for arthritis flares differs depending on the type of arthritis.
In rheumatoid arthritis, discontinuing treatment may result in a recurrence of symptoms. Stress, overexertion, weariness, and weather changes are all factors that can contribute to flares in osteoarthritis and other forms of arthritis. Uric acid levels are directly related to gout symptoms and can often be controlled with a combination of diet and medication.
What role does exercise play in the treatment of arthritis?
Exercise slows the advancement of osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis by keeping joints mobile, decreasing weight gain, and boosting strength in the muscles that surround joints.
Furthermore, because it is a mood enhancer, it can aid in the management of stress and other emotions that may accompany coping with a chronic condition.
Finding ways to customize your activities to your symptoms, such as utilizing ergonomic gardening tools, can help you maintain your activity levels and your health and well-being.
What are some effective arthritis home remedies?
Exercise, a low-inflammation diet like the Mediterranean diet, heat or cold therapy, and over-the-counter and prescription drugs can all help control arthritis symptoms. If possible, living in a temperate environment may also help alleviate symptoms.
To Conclude
Arthritis can be debilitating, but you might be able to manage it by keeping your body in motion.
Make sure to consult your physician before you start any exercise program, and it might be wise to see what type of foods might help with arthritis.