Rheumatoid arthritis is a chronic medical condition wherein healthy tissues in the joints and cartilages are attacked by white blood cells. This causes pain and inflammation, making people afflicted with it having to go through fatigue and stiffness of the joints for the rest of their lives.
If you have rheumatoid arthritis, the best thing that you can do is to make the best of what you have and control it. Fortunately, there are tips to manage the pain and discomfort brought about by its symptoms.
Tips to Manage Rheumatoid Arthritis
- Modify your lifestyle. You may have been living on the edge without a thought for the consequences, but it's never too late to start living healthy. If you are overweight, it may be a factor that contributes to the joint pressure and hence, more pain. The goal of lessening the pain could be a good motivation for losing weight. It does not mean skipping meals altogether or going on a crash diet, but choosing the right food to eat and maintaining a balanced diet.
- Anti-inflammatory drugs are a clinically-certified way to manage rheumatoid arthritis. You could opt for ibuprofen, aspirin or naproxen. These drugs control the pain by minimizing the inflammation. But be cautious when dealing with arthritis drugs. Do not take any of them without the doctor's advice. If you are prone to heart problems or bleeding in your gastrointestinal tract, these medications will only increase that chance. A better alternative without these side effects is acetaminophen.
- Stretching is always beneficial, whether or not you are prone to arthritis. Yoga is recommended. It enhances flexibility which makes your joints and limbs less prone to stiffness. Because of your condition, you may feel a little pain or discomfort. Stop whenever this happens and hold that particular position for about 30 seconds and proceed. Also start with easier stretches and gradually go for more advanced ones as you gain flexibility. A sudden jump to advanced positions might just pull your muscles or cause cramps. You can start with three sets with eight to ten repetitions.
- Other forms of exercise such as weight lifting and mild aerobics also have their benefits. They can help to reduce the symptoms of mild arthritis. If you have a gym or exercise instructor, he can give you tips in the right regimen. Lifting weights also adds to your strength and balance. You can start with regular stretching or aerobics and eventually move to weights. Lift these slowly and not too suddenly, or you will be dealing more damage to your body than helping it. Rest when you have to- you will eventually gain endurance as you go. You will be better equipped to manage your disease when you make this a regular part of your routine.
- There are alternative therapies that you could try. Water therapy, Tai Chi, and many other non-clinical methods might actually have something to them. Ask your physician before you try any of these. He might not believe in their benefits, but you also have to make sure that they are not going to cause you any harm.
- You could also try psyche-based ways of managing pain, such as meditation or guided imagery. You may not always have medications at hand, but you can train yourself to endure the pain.
Don't limit yourself to the tips given, but try to learn all you can about managing the disease. You can ask for advice from friends or family members who are also afflicted, and who have tried methods that work for them. Also, you can consult your doctor for reference. The more you know about your condition, the more you will be familiar with the things you can do as well as the things you should avoid.
