Taking medication is vital in suppressing the symptoms of arthritis, but there is so much more you could do to help your condition.
When diagnosed with an illness or disease, most of us look at ways of changing our lifestyles to give ourselves a better chance of overcoming or controlling symptoms. If you suffer from arthritis, you are no different.
And you will be pleased to hear that there are simple things you can do, as well as regularly taking your medication, to help your situation.
Watch what you eat. Putting on weight will only put more strain on your joints and exacerbate your condition.
Don’t do too much and avoid the movements that make your symptoms worse. It is easy to get carried away when you have a list of jobs to do, but don’t try to do all the physical work at once.
Wearing the right shoes will help ease the stress on your joints. It is best to wear shoes with thick, soft soles that act as shock absorbers when you walk.
When your joints become painful, reach for the heat. Warmth applied to the painful joint can relieve the pain and stiffness. Special heat lamps and creams that produce heat are available, but a hot water bottle will do the same job.
An ice pack can help hot and inflamed joints, but should never be put directly on skin and, if you are planning to use this method, you should speak to your physiotherapist or doctor first.
Relaxation techniques, including listening to soothing music or taking a bath, can relieve the stress and tension that can aggravate your arthritis.
As with any illness or disease, eating the right foods in the right amounts is important for your wellbeing. The healthier you are, the more chance you have of reducing your symptoms.
Make sure you have a balanced diet. Although there is no real scientific evidence that diet affects your arthritis, you may find relief by changing what you eat.
Some people with the condition find that when they stop eating certain foods, their symptoms improve.
And some believe that certain foods and supplements can help arthritis. Fatty acids found in fish oil and plant seed oil can help. But if you plan to take any supplements, you should first discuss it with your doctor.
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