Arthritis can be so debilitating that some people can’t complete basic tasks. Arthritis is manageable. You can control the impact arthritis has on your life. You have found just the right article to provide the help you need! Keep reading to learn some ways to handle your arthritis today!

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.

If you’re dealing with arthritis, you should never skip quality sleep. Your body cannot fight arthritis without it. Get eight to 10 hours of sleep each day, depending on how much stress you have. Your body will thank you in the form of reduced pain.

Though both hot and cold methods of treatment can be effective, alternate the use of them. The switch between cold and hot packs actually helps reduce swelling and soothe pain. However, don’t overdo it, as prolonged hot and cold treatments can result in additional bodily harm. Twice per day is a good area to aim for.

Cigarettes have actually been shown to cause a loss in flexibility, as well as increasing the chances that your arthritis will flare up. Although it’s hard to quit smoking, it may help to think about how it negatively impacts your arthritis.

Be mindful of the condition of your joints. Even small tasks can be hard if you have arthritis. Slide items across surfaces instead of lifting them when possible or have someone help you. Guard yourself from inflaming your joints unnecessarily and causing undue pain.

Maintaining a healthy body weight reduces the stress placed on arthritic joints. If you are overweight then that may worsen the symptoms of arthritis. Do not deprive yourself of food when losing weight. Instead, eat healthy foods that will provide you with essential vitamins and nutrients.

Heating Pad

Try taking fish oil supplements if you are arthritic. Omega-3 fatty acids, which come from fish oil, are effective in treating joint pain and inflammation. You can find fish oil in supermarkets and vitamin stores.

Utilize a heating pad that provides moist heat to help with arthritis symptoms. If your arthritis pain is nagging or becomes too painful to allow you to properly function, you may want to invest in a moist heating pad. It is still important that you schedule an appointment to go and see your doctor to discuss your pain, however, the heating pad will assist you with pain relief for short periods of time.

Consult a health professional as soon as you can to develop the best treatment plan. You can minimize the harm that arthritis does to your joints if you get a jump on treatment. Get started by talking to a doctor and finding out what treatment is best for you.

Don’t be too proud to use a cane. Thinking it makes them appear weak or disabled, some people opt against using a cane. If the cane lessens your pain, you will not be as disabled with one as you would be without on. Select a cane that matches your personality to help you feel more at ease when using it.

Ask your doctor to check for nutritional deficiencies on a regular basis. Vitamin B-12 is a very important nutrient that helps to reduce flare-ups and pain during the day. Take your vitamins and have your levels checked regularly to reduce your risk of pain and other arthritis symptoms.

Do not be afraid to tell others about your condition. Tell them how your arthritis is affecting you. Arthritis can hold you back, cause bad moods, make you frustrated and anxious, and just change you for the worst where people barely even know you anymore. By letting them know what is happening in you life, they can help when you with your condition and the stress that you are feeling.

If you want to avoid knee surgery, try wearing a brace on your knee for a while. Braces can reduce painful inflammation and swelling, preventing you from using your last resort of surgery. You can even wear one when sleeping.

To avoid overdoing activities, set a stopwatch. If for example, you have to do some chores, you should set a timer to remind you when to take breaks. Many people push through their pain and try to complete the task in a single shot, but this can be harmful.

Arthritis Sufferer

When you have pain that causes tiredness, treat it with heat. Cold packs can work in some cases, but a heat pad is probably best for pain that is caused by arthritis. Pain that fatigues is best treated with heat; the warmth not only reduces pain, it also increases your energy.

As you know, if you’re a chronic arthritis sufferer and from reading the beginning of this article, arthritis can make it difficult to go about daily tasks. If you are an arthritis sufferer, hopefully this article has shown you something you can try to manage your condition and start living better.