Most types of arthritis are degenerative, and they all cause inflammation of the joints. This common condition is, at times, very painful. This article includes a variety of proven, helpful tips provided by people who have suffered from the pain and ill feelings of the disease.

Ice packs and heating pads can both be of use for relieving your arthritis joint pain. Alternating back and forth, between hot and cold, may provide the best relief. You should consult with your doctor for the best way to use heat and cold for soothing your pain.

Avoid cigarette smoke, and if you smoke, quit. Nicotine slows blood flow and can exacerbate arthritis-related inflammation. You should understand though, that this lessened blood flow can cause significant damage to your joints, which will result in greater arthritis symptoms.

Water sports are great for those who suffer from arthritis. Aquatic exercise can stretch out joints and muscles. Additionally, the water itself may soothe arthritic joints, especially warm water. If you need to learn to swim, join a class.

It is a good idea to maintain a journal if you suffer from rheumatoid arthritis. Keeping track of what goes on in your life can help you focus on the triggers which are making your arthritis worse. Your notes can also establish patterns of the types of things that have been helpful. You should also take this diary along when you visit your doctor, so that he has more information to build a better treatment plan with you. Think of this diary as a very useful tool.

Avoid exercising with worn out shoes if you are living with arthritis. Shoes that are worn out do not distribute your weight evenly. This can cause a lot of problems in your ankles, knees and hip joints. New workout shoes will provide you with more shock absorption, as well, so be sure to replace them whenever necessary, especially when the soles have worn thin.

Going back and forth between cold and hot treatments is the best method to help treat and soothe your arthritis symptoms. By switching between heat and cold, you encourage blood circulation which helps ease the pain of arthritis. Make sure that you are not using these types of treatments too much, because over-heating or over-icing can bring more problems for you. Do this twice daily at most.

If no other treatments help your arthritis, maybe you should speak to your doctor about joint surgery. There are effective surgeries that can reverse the effects of arthritis that affect the flexibility and mobility of your joints.

Cigarettes can cause flare-ups of your arthritis, and also contribute to loss of flexibility. You might find quitting tobacco is hard, but if you know that it can hurt your arthritis, you may be more likely to do just that.

Increase your intake of vegetables, and cut back on the amount of meats in your diet. There is some evidence that going vegetarian can reduce arthritis symptoms, including swelling and inflammation. If you are not going to be able to not eat meat, make sure half of your plate is filled with vegetables to get almost the same benefits.

Fish Oil

Going to a sauna regularly can help if you suffer from chronic arthritis. The inflammation of arthritis can be relieved by the moist heat a sauna provides, which will help reduce the pain. Visit regularly, though. The benefits come from regular visits.

If you are an arthritis sufferer, look into the benefits of including fish oil in your diet. Research has shown that the omega-3s that fish oil contains can decrease joint pain and inflammation. Fish or cod liver oil is sold in many supermarkets and health food stores.

Believe it or not, it is helpful to develop solid abs if you want to improve your joint pain. By strengthening the muscles in your abdominal area, you improve your posture and help prevent joint damage. Be sure to listen to your body and avoid overextending yourself.

Because arthritis affects so many people, you should know what symptoms to look out for. Do yourself a favor and get it diagnosed early, as soon as you notice possible symptoms. If these are some things that you have been experiencing, you should make an appointment with your doctor to diagnosis your situation.

Your doctor can provide you with information about pain medications. In many cases, the best arthritis treatment methods are limiting any further damage, and seeking out the best ways to limit your pain. Your physician can discuss FDA-approved prescription medications, physical therapy or lifestyle changes that can benefit you without worsening your condition.

Set a definite intention about how long you will do something. Set your timer regularly to remind yourself that you need to take a break from what you are doing. It can be tempting to get work done in one session despite discomfort, but you may overtax yourself.

One way to fight arthritis is to lose weight. If you’re overweight and have arthritis, it can cause swelling and inflammation. Excess weight actually places more strain on the joints, which is what causes these flare ups. Weight loss reduces the rate and intensity of flare ups, so don’t be surprised if this is what your doctor suggests.

Yoga can help boost health and your well-being, so consider taking a class. Yoga is a combination of calming movements and easy, health-promoting stretches that ease body aches and arthritic pains, as well as boosting your mental state. If you don’t want to join a class, there are yoga DVDs available for purchase. When you work out with a DVD, you can still get a wonderful exercise routine, but you will not have to leave your house.

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.

Look out for any kind of new treatment. Bear in mind, however, that unless your current treatment is totally ineffective, it is unlikely that your doctor will be keen on switching treatments mid-stream. Talk to your doctor any time you become aware of a different treatment that may be more effective. He may agree to let you give it a try.