Recently, more and more people have been told that they have arthritis. This terrible condition impacts the joints, which causes sharp pain and inflammation that can affect movement in a negative manner. The article below can be very helpful by providing some useful advice for dealing with arthritis.
If you live with rheumatoid arthritis, keep a daily journal or diary. This diary will help show you what is triggering your flare ups. You can also get a better idea of which treatments really help. Bring your journal with you to your doctor visit and let him read it. They might see patterns or clues to help with a treatment plan. A daily diary can help you feel like you are taking control of your condition, and become a very valuable tool in your successful treatment.
You want to practice yoga or meditation if you suffer from chronic arthritis. Such practices relax your body and mind, which has been shown to help minimize arthritis symptoms. Doing yoga or meditating 3 to 4 days a week will have the best effect.
Arthritis sufferers should never wear high heels or shoes that don’t offer a good amount of support. If you suffer from arthritis in any of your joints, uncomfortable shoes can cause increased pain, due to abnormal gait. Go for a pair of shoes that provide support and are comfortable to wear, such as some good sneakers.
For those with chronic arthritis that drive, you are eligible to receive a pass for handicapped parking. If you park in regular spaces, you are risking injury and increasing your physical effort to a restaurant or store.
Unless you absolutely need painkillers, do not use them when dealing with your arthritis pain. Too many are addictive and may only provide temporary relief. Only use pain medications as prescribed, and under the supervision of your doctor.
You might not have thought of this, but you can help out with arthritis pains simply through calming music. This type of music relaxes your body, and therefore eases aches and pains arthritis can cause. As well, music that you find relaxing can help get you to sleep, even if arthritis is challenging your ability to do so.
Consider consulting your doctor about electric stimulation if you are affected by osteoarthritis. Experts agree that this treatment can produce highly favorable results in terms of reducing the pain and inflammation associated with arthritis.
Know how to spot the symptoms of arthritis. A great thing to do for your arthritis is diagnose it early, so you should learn all the symptoms and signs you will have. If you think you are having arthritis symptoms, first consult with a physician for the proper diagnosis. He will tell you which type you have and help you to create a treatment plan and give you tips to use at home.
If you need to perform a strenuous task, use assistant devices. For example, if you have to lift heavy items or stand in line for an extended period of time, you should take every possible precaution to ensure that your joints are protected from any potentially damaging stress or strain. The more damage you do to your joints, the more pain you will experience in the future. Avoiding strenuous activity is the best way to prevent this damage from occurring.
Get a checkup from your doctor and have him check your blood for any deficiencies. Your arthritis is likely to get worse if your body is running short of vital nutrients like B-12 and others. Keeping your nutritional levels of all essential vitamins at optimum amounts will help prevent the pain and inflammation of your arthritis.
As previously mentioned, greater numbers of people are being diagnosed with arthritis year by year. The reasons for this include an aging society and poor exercise and diet habits. Use the advice in this article to help you battle arthritis, and increase the quality of your life.