Arthritis is no laughing matter. The symptoms are often debilitating and can show up in anyone of any age. With arthritis the bones are effected and it causes pain, ranging from moderate to severe, in the joints. It can also make it hard to continue with daily routines.

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 turn, this decreased circulation can damage joints and exacerbate your condition. Therefore, it is far preferable to overcome your addiction in favor of the health of your joints.

Cut back on cigarettes or quit smoking all together. The nicotine in cigarettes can reduce blood flow to your extremities, which may reduce inflammation in the short term. Reduced blood flow could ruin your joints, meaning the arthritis is going to be worse and come quicker, than it would if you didn’t smoke.

If you are a woman who has been diagnosed with arthritis, it may be time to ditch the high heels. While high heels may be stylish, they are bad for your feet and joints. They can really strain your knees and worsen arthritis symptoms. Stick to comfortable shoes and your arthritis pain will likely diminish. Your arthritic knees will respond gratefully.

As difficult as it may seem at times, it is important that you exercise frequently if you suffer from arthritis. If you don’t exercise your joints your arthritis will worsen because your joints get tired. You should specifically focus on flexibility exercises, as arthritis can make it harder to move due to joint stiffness.

Be proactive, and educate yourself about your symptoms and the best ways to treat them. You can easily find resources on pain management techniques to help you maintain a high quality of life. By thoroughly researching your arthritis, you can learn some new treatments, and be introduced to some exercises and foods that can help reduce some of your pain.

Getting enough sleep is very important for arthritis sufferers. The pain will be worse if you feel exhausted. Adults need an average of eight hours of sleep, but more may be necessary when you are stressed. Getting good quality sleep will benefit your health in many ways.

Consider how everything you do will affect your joints. Sometimes the most minuscule of jobs can seem trying if you suffer from arthritis pain. Pushing items to their destination is easier than lifting. The best option is to ask for help. When you protect your joints from irritation, you will suffer from less pain.

If you are a chronic arthritis sufferer, you should be aware that you are legally able to park in handicapped spaces. This is not widely-known by those afflicted, suffering unnecessarily by not taking advantage of this helping hand.

Hot Packs

Try alternating the use of cold and hot packs. It’s easy to overuse your joints, and switching between these cold and hot packs can ease pain and decrease swelling. Do not do this too often, too much of cold or hot can hurt you down the line. Do not do this more than twice a day.

Try to avoid taking pain killers for arthritis related pain. Some prescriptions are addictive, and the results they give are only temporary. If they have been prescribed by your doctor, do make sure to follow the instructions provided quite carefully.

If you are struggling with the pain of arthritis, you might want to consider aromatherapy to ease the symptoms. You can ease your discomfort from arthritis through aromatherapy. Research has shown benefits for people who use this tactic.

You should try medications and non-surgical treatments for arthritis, but if you are not getting relief, then it may be time to consider surgical treatment. Joint surgery can sometimes help with arthritis by improving mobility and flexibility, and also reducing pain. It has generally been effective for most patients that decide to try it.

Make sure you form a good stretching routine. Flexibility is one of the major issues for those living with arthritis. Establishing a daily regimen that targets all your muscles is one of the best ways to stay flexible. Start at your feet, moving up all the way up to your head.

A relatively unknown solution for arthritis, is fish oil. The Omega 3 acids in the oil are medically proven to lower the inflammation or pain that joints often suffer from. Fish or cod liver oil is sold in many supermarkets and health food stores.

By keeping your head in the game and implementing the discussed tips, you will be well on your way to alleviating your pain. You never want to let arthritis get you down mentally or physically. Pain management is possible to help alleviate your arthritis symptoms, allowing you keep pushing ahead with minimal pain. Remain positive, and you can overcome it.

Purchase a bed that can help with your pain. If you are suffering from painful arthritis symptoms, consider asking your doctor about your sleep needs. He can often recommend a mattress that will help you to wake rested each day. As every person is unique, utilizing the advice of experts is really the sole way to go about finding the right bed for you.