For anyone who suffers from arthritis, the daily pain involved makes arthritis a very important topic. Although there is a wealth of information available on the Internet, it is difficult to wade through the plethora of information to glean what’s worthwhile. This article is meant to provide you with succinct tips and advice on arthritis.
If you are suffering from rheumatoid arthritis, make sure you’re getting enough omega-3 in your diet. If you’re not, consider taking a supplement like fish oil to help get those levels up. Studies have shown that omega-3 has many anti-inflammatory benefits for those who suffer from rheumatoid arthritis.
It is important that you have enough calcium in your diet if you suffer from arthritis. Medical research has proven that inflammatory arthritis conditions are worse if a person does not have enough calcium in their diet. You can find calcium in many different foods, including milk, cheese, and ice cream.
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.
Stay away from heating pads if your arthritis is flaring up. All they are going to do is make your symptoms worse. Instead, apply a cold compress to the area where your arthritis is located. You could even wrap a package of frozen peas or another frozen vegetable in a towel and apply to the area.
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.
Don’t give up on finding a way to manage your arthritis pain. Dealing with a debilitating condition can leave you feeling frustrated and hopeless – particularly if you are having trouble finding any treatment options that work. If what you are doing is not working, talk to your doctor about other treatment options or explore alternative treatments such as acupuncture, nutrition or holistic medicine until you find something that helps.
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.
Walking is an activity that helps arthritis in many aspects. Not only does it help your body to release any tensions it may have, but it also helps by stretching out weak joints and muscles. If it is possible, try to talk a 20 to 30 minute walk every day.
A damp heating pad can provide you with some relief from your joint pain. The moist heating pad provides comfort for arthritic pain that is debilitating or chronic. Even though these pads provide relief from pain, you still need to speak with your physician.
Take your medication like you are supposed to. Many arthritis sufferers will only take their medication if they are in pain, and forget it later. This is detrimental to your body, because you are actually trying to prevent these attacks from happening. Set a daily reminder, and take your medication on a strict schedule.
Store items on your countertop that you would normally place in your pantry to help avoid straining yourself in the kitchen. Make sure that you use lids that are lightweight and easy to remove. Simple changes like this can make your time in the kitchen more bearable.
When trying to separate egg whites, use this tip to help avoid the repetitive stress of moving the egg back and forth. Place a funnel over a glass and crack the egg into the funnel. The whites of the egg will slide right into the glass while the funnel will catch and separate the egg yolk.
Avoiding alcoholic beverages has often been recommended to people with arthritis. Recent studies have shown that moderate alcohol consumption does not exacerbate arthritic conditions. Some studies have even alluded to the fact that drinking alcohol may have reduced arthritic symptoms for some people.
If you are uncomfortable using a particular type of medication your doctor recommends, or if you feel that a particular kind of therapy is just not right for you, be sure to speak up and tell your doctor. There are plenty of choices available in arthritis therapy. Your course of treatment should fit you perfectly.
Living with the chronic pain of arthritis can cause you to avoid going out and enjoying social activities, leaving you feeling isolated. Support groups will give you the additional guidance you need You can find very supportive people who share your experiences and concerns online or in the real world. You can exchange tips and strategies to gain new knowledge on how to fight your arthritis.
Check out the Arthritis Foundation’s list of recommended products and appliances. A lot of products are not easy to open for someone who suffers from arthritis, and certain appliances might be difficult to operate. This list contains products and appliances that can be opened or operate easily for someone with arthritis.
The most important thing to do is make sure you get enough sleep so that you wake up ready to do whatever it takes to beat your arthritis. One useful tip is to schedule a time each day for your nap. Adhering diligently to the schedule will give your body the rest it needs to keep a handle on reducing your pain.
As you may now be aware, there are many things that the average person can do to help alleviate their arthritis pain and suffering. Though it may seem debilitating now, by following the tips and advice from this article, you will help increase your chances of living a full and unencumbered life with arthritis.
