TIP! Before changing your arthritis medications, be sure to check with your doctor. It may take a while for some medication to take effect, while other medications may cause side effects if suddenly discontinued.

Arthritis causes pain and swelling in your joints by attacking the cartilage in your body. While it can be a common disease, it is also, unfortunately, quite painful. This article provides proven and useful advice from arthritis sufferers who have firsthand experience of these adverse and painful effects.

TIP! Combination hot/cold packs can be used to alleviate joint pain. For best results, alternate using cold and heat.

Stay away from cigarette smoke, and quit if you do smoke. The nicotine found in high concentrations in cigarettes may deprive your arms, legs, hands and feet of oxygenate blood. In the long-term though, smoking will corrupt your joints and sharpen the pain that you feel from arthritis.

TIP! Though it can be uncomfortable, exercising your joints consistently is an important part of managing your arthritis. If you fail to exercise the joints, it is like that they will grow weak, which can exacerbate arthritis.

It may seem difficult, but it is important to exercise if you have arthritis. Joints which are not regularly exercised grow fatigued, which makes arthritis more severe. Look into flexibility exercises to have a better range of motion.

Just sit back, shut your eyes, and breathe. This will help you think happy thoughts and ignore the constant pain you are in.

TIP! It is beneficial to stop your arthritis pain early. Developing proper keyboard habits is a good preventative technique.

If you have been diagnosed with a chronic arthritic condition, you are eligible to apply for a handicapped parking permit. Getting parked as fast as possible will help make things easier if you tend to get pain in your legs when you seat behind the wheel.

TIP! It is important to note that people who suffer from arthritis are able to get handicapped parking. Getting parked as fast as possible will help make things easier if you tend to get pain in your legs when you seat behind the wheel.

When treating joint pain, alternate the temperatures for maximum effectiveness. It is easy to strain your joints, so using cold and hot packs on them can reduce the discomfort and swelling. Be sure to not overdo it with icing, as you may end up causing more harm than good. Try for two times per day at the most.

TIP! Make an appointment to go to therapy. Arthritis sufferers sometimes find it difficult being alone, so therapy can help to keep you from feeling like a helpless victim.

The advice in this article represents the best and brightest tips from people who have experienced what it is like to live with arthritis. By following these helpful guidelines, you can be more informed about the nature and treatment of your condition. There are a variety of options available for you and these are only a few.