Coping with arthritis is a daily challenge for many people. One thing that many fail to do is seek advice and help in dealing with their pain and symptoms. Open your mind to alternative ways of thinking and allow these tips to guide you in your daily routine and incorporate that thinking into your lifestyle.

Reduce the stress in your daily life. Stress causes your body to release the neurochemical cortisol, while causes inflammation. People with arthritis should know that inflammation is the main cause of the pain and stiffness of arthritis. Reducing stress reduces your body’s production of these chemicals, which relieves your symptoms.

Combination hot/cold packs can be used to alleviate joint pain. Try applying ice packs and a heating pad alternatively. Of course, always consult your doctor when treating arthritis pain.

The evidence shows that moderate drinking does adversely affect the symptoms of arthritis. Actually, drinking alcoholic beverages in moderation might have a favorable effect on your symptoms.

If you are a woman who suffers from arthritis in your back, you may want to think about changing what bras you wear. Believe it or not, certain bras can make your arthritis worse by putting pressure on your back. There are actually bras that are made just for women with arthritis.

If you suffer from arthritis, you may want to consider buying special arthritis gloves. Not only can these gloves keep your hands warm all day and night long, but they can also decrease swelling in your fingers and hands. Arthritis gloves can be purchased at many drug stores or pharmacies.

Buy products that are specially designed for arthritis sufferers. There is no need to struggle with tasks like opening a jar, buttoning your shirt or turning a doorknob when there are products on the market designed to help you do all of those things. In fact, there are products designed to help arthritis sufferers with just about any task you can think of. Try searching online for arthritis-friendly products or check with any of the leading arthritis organizations for a list of helpful products.

If you’re a chronic sufferer of arthritis and you drive, you should know that you can get handicap parking. Many sufferers are not aware of this and then they park in regular spots, which may be difficult for them.

Drink a little wine. While some people will tell you that people who suffer from arthritis should never drink, studies have shown this to be an unfounded concern. Light drinkers do not have any excess issues with their arthritis, and red wine may actually help to prevent damaging inflammation from cropping up.

Buy your children’s clothing with zippers and loose fitting clothing if you are a parent dealing with rheumatoid arthritis. Trying to handle a button or a snap can be a nightmare when you have rheumatoid arthritis. Don’t suffer just to get your child the cutest outfit in the store.

If you suffer from arthritis in your fingers or your hands, you may want to consider rubbing mineral oil on your hands. The natural ingredients of mineral oil have been proven to ease the pain of arthritis in the hands and fingers. To make this method effective, be sure to put the mineral oil on your hands and then put rubber gloves on them.

Avail yourself to the special equipment made just for arthritis sufferers. With the right tools, arthritis sufferers can execute any job. Things like shoe horns, specialized can openers, zipper pulls and kinves are all great products that can make your life easier. Investing in the correct tools can help you save big on arthritis pain and strain!

Be sure you understand what the symptoms of arthritis are. Early diagnosis can be essential, so it is very beneficial to know all of the symptoms of arthritis, so you can get treatment right away. If you have any of these symptoms popping up you should contact a doctor to learn more about what kind of arthritis you may have and figure out what you can use to manage it.

Speak to your doctor about pain relief options. In many situations, the best thing possible for treating arthritis pain and to limit any further damage is by finding a treatment plan that is both safe and effective. You can do this by speaking with a doctor about FDA-approved treatments that could work with your unique condition.

One thing you can do for your joint aches and pains is to give yourself a break with a vacation or some simple time off at home. You want rest and a lot of it, and the best way to stock up on good old rest is by taking that vacation you have always dreamed of, or even by just taking the phone off the hook and laying in bed for a couple days. This gives your joints relief from your daily routine of constantly going.

Add Epsom salt to your bath water. Epsom salts relax the body and help relieve stiffness, swelling, and pain. Combining these great benefits with a warm bath in the morning hours can easily increase flexibility and reduce pain, allowing you to have a more energized and relaxed day ahead of you.

Getting fit is one way to minimize the impact that arthritis has on your body. If weight-bearing exercise is a problem for you, try a low-impact workout, such as swimming or water aerobics. As you exercise, the water will aid in supporting you and it will also massage you. Water therapy is a surefire way to help manage arthritis.

Stop smoking. Smoking not only increase the chances of getting arthritis, it also causes the sufferer to have more painful symptoms and more damage to their joints than those who do not smoke. Of course, there are a variety of other health benefits that are associated with not smoking as well, so it is important to make a change as soon as possible.

It is not uncommon to feel you are alone with your arthritis, however, as you can see from the previous advice, there are those who deal with this condition and can offer help in various ways. Utilize what you have learned here and seek out more tips and help that will strengthen your resolve in dealing with arthritis.