Do you need to know to deal with the pains of arthritis. There are many ways to live better with arthritis and this article can tell you about some of them. Read on to find valuable arthritis tips.
Watch out for co-morbid condition, especially depression. Arthritis and depression can lock you into a feedback loop: you’re tired and in pain, so you can’t do the things you love, which makes you more upset. Being upset then leads to symptom flare-ups. If you think you are depressed, speak with your doctor about a referral to a psychiatrist.
Keeping an arthritis journal can actually help you control your symptoms. Each time your arthritis is bothering you, write about what you do that day in your journal. This way, you can start to see a pattern as to what is causing your arthritis pain so you can slow down on that activity.
Because arthritis can effect the way that you cook, it is important that you buy the proper cookware and utensils. If you pick any old utensil, you may find that you cannot use it. It is recommended that people with arthritis get lightweight cooking utensils that have easy grips.
Do not try to hide your condition from your children. Having a family member with rheumatoid arthritis affects everyone in the household even if they can’t understand exactly what’s going on. Teach younger children on a level they can understand. Just make sure that you keep them involved in what is going on with you.
Eat plenty of Omega-3 fatty acids to help combat inflammation. Recent studies have shown that Omega-3 fatty acids can help to reduce inflammation for arthritis sufferers. Food sources that are high in Omega-3s include fish, walnuts, and flaxseed. Better yet, try adding cod liver oil to your diet. Not only is it rich in Omega-3s, but it also has been shown to help significantly reduce arthritis pain.
Make use of accessibility tools whenever you perform difficult tasks. If you’re lifting big objects of if you plan to be standing for an extended period of time, be sure to take the precaution to care for your joints due to excess pressures that could damage them further. If you have further damage to joints, it will cause pain, so do not overexert yourself.
Do not be afraid to consider surgery. Many people who suffer with arthritis will initially balk at the thought of having surgery done to correct an issue. Let your doctor coach you on what may be the best method of treatment for you, and if surgery is an effective option, try not to immediately dismiss it.
Keep all of your pots and pans where you can easily reach them. Try using a pot hanger that comes down from the ceiling or using wall hooks that are easily reached to store your cookware. This will help you avoid bending that can stress your joints in the kitchen.
Find a rubber mat to place at your stove to help prevent back and leg pain while you are standing and cooking. These buoyancy of these mats help keep pressure off of your legs which will do wonders for keeping your body feeling healthy. Buy one as well for in front of your sink to use when you are washing dishes.
Make sure your diagnosis is correct before you spend time looking for treatments for a disease that you do not have. Consult your physician and he or she will be able to assist you as to your proper diagnosis and treatment options. After you do this, there are a variety of different options you have.
So many people who suffer from arthritis feel like they are all alone in it. You should try to join support groups so you can get the support you need for yourself. Whether you find a support group online or in your area, you’ll be able to connect with people who are also going through the same symptoms that you are. Sharing coping strategies is a great way to bond.
Occupational therapy has been known to help people who suffer from arthritis. Sometimes this kind of therapy is covered by many health insurance plans. Occupational therapy will help identify problem areas in your lifestyle and work with you to find ways to eliminate them or help you work with them to lead a more pain free life.
Do your research and look for treatments that will lessen the symptoms of arthritis, and prevent further damage to the joints. Simply treating the pain is just ignoring the main problem, and can lead to it getting worse.
Do not be afraid to ask for help when dealing with arthritis pain. Many people are more than willing to help and all you have to do is ask. Maybe a neighbor could deliver your mail for you, or a trusted friend can help you with chores around the home. There are always people who are willing to help if you just ask.
Beating the fatigue associated with rheumatoid arthritis isn’t easy, but there are ways to keep it under control. For example, stick to a schedule every day – even on the weekend – as to when you go to bed and when you get up in the morning. This will help insure you get a good night’s sleep every day.
Fatigue is associated with rheumatoid arthritis, so it’s up to you to get the best sleep you can every night Invest in a bed which will help to keep you comfortable while supporting your aching joints. If you have trouble getting up in the morning, consider a bed which raises you into a seated position.
Establish a work out routine with your doctor. You should not try to exercise too much or the pain will become worst. Usually, exercising three times a week for thirty minutes should be enough. This will make your joints more supple and reduce the pain as well as give you more energy.
There are steps you can take to make your life more manageable. Learning any new information can be useful, so hopefully these tips help you.
