“Arthritis” is an umbrella term that describes a variety of different joint conditions. Rheumatoid arthritis is both the most serious and the most common type, usually referred to as RA. It causes inflammation of the joints and surrounding tissue and may affect surrounding organs. If you are looking for useful info on arthritis, you have come to the right place.

Try to participate in aquatic activities if you suffer from arthritis. Aquatic activities are beneficial for loosening up joints and muscles, and the water, especially warm water, is soothing to chronic arthritis sufferers. If you cannot swim, consider signing up for a swimming class.

Non-weight bearing activities like water aerobics are best for arthritis sufferers. These activities are great for stretching your muscles and joints as well as being soothing for your joints.

Rheumatoid Arthritis

If you have rheumatoid arthritis, keep a journal. A diary or journal can help you better understand what sets your arthritis flare-ups in motion. It can also let you know what helps in each situation. Share this type of knowledge with your doctor so he is able to prescribe the best treatment options. A daily diary is a beneficial tool to help learning about and managing your rheumatoid arthritis.

Can’t sleep due to pain caused by arthritis? Take a warm bath every night, and use bath salts. This will help relax your body and ease the pain from your arthritis, which in turn will help you fall asleep and stay asleep longer.

Just settle back, let your eyelids close and enjoy a few deep breaths. This should help you focus on happy thoughts and keep thoughts about your pain at bay.

Managing stress will help you manage your arthritis. Chemicals are released when your body is stressed. These chemicals can trigger inflammation, which can increase the pain associated with arthritis. Consider scheduling your days out to avoid stressful situations, or engaging in exercise to help relax and strengthen your body.

Avoid uncomfortable shoes and high heels if you have arthritis. Irregardless of the location or severity of the arthritis afflicting your body, walking in any manner not conducive to the health and functioning of your skeletal system will aggravate arthritis, possibly severely. Instead, buy a pair of comfortable sneakers that will provide you with support.

Make sure that you are getting the right kind of exercise every day. Exercise keeps you healthy, flexible and fit. You should also make sure that the exercises are low impact in order to prevent your joints from flaring up. However, you should never overdo it. When exercise begins to be painful, it is time to take a break.

Maintaining a healthy weight will take some pressure off your joints. Carrying around extra wait can place an enormous amount of stress on arthritic joints. Do not skip meals or deny yourself food in order to shed pounds, but adhere to a diet that provides your body with the necessary nutrients.

Finding and treating arthritis early is highly beneficial. A good tip to prevent arthritis is to use good typing habits. Concentrate on keeping your hands at the same level as your keyboard and place a raised pad beneath your mouse. This will decrease the amount strain in your hands, and it is a great preventative measure against developing arthritis and joint problems in the future.

Heating Pad

For some temporary relief, try using a heating pad that is moist. If your arthritis is really painful or interfering with proper functioning, try to get a heating pad that provides good, moist heat. These pads will give you a quick burst of pain relief, but you should still make an appointment with your physician.

Always be aware of your joints. Simple tasks can cause you to have great pain if you have arthritis. Joints can become aggravated by lifting heavier items. Seek help with lifting whenever possible. When alone, try to push items across the floor as an alternative. You can preserve the flexibility of your joints and avoid a lot of distress simply by being mindful of situations likely to cause irritation or flare-ups.

For those that suffer from osteoarthritis in one or both knees, you may want to speak with your doctor about getting electrical stimulation. It has been shown that these treatments work very well at reducing both pain and swelling in the knees that is caused by arthritis.

Having strong core muscles may improve your joint pain from arthritis. Research has shown having solid abs improves posture, therefore limiting damage on the joints. Know your limitations and avoid overdoing it with your workouts.

If you suffer from arthritis, both emotionally and physically, consider therapy. Therapy is a great way to help out with your arthritis, as it lets you know that you aren’t alone and you can get through this problem. People who suffer from arthritis have a greater chance of developing depression so its very important to undergo therapy to address these concerns.

Before immediately assuming you need surgery for knee pain, see how a brace improves its function first. Surgery should be considered a last resort, and knee braces can sometimes reduce enough pain and swelling to make an operation unwarranted. You may even wear it while you sleep.

Sun block should always be given it the proper attention. Some arthritis medications can increase sensitivity to the sun, and create a greater risk of developing skin cancer. Always place a little extra attention when preparing for outdoor activities and make sure that you bring enough sunblock to keep all the exposed areas covered and safe.

You may want to consider using fish oil if you suffer from arthritis. Medical research has shown that fish oil, which contains omega-3 fatty acids, can help to reduce the inflammation and pain in your joints. Vitamin and health food stores have many quality brands of fish oil and it is becoming more readily available in grocery stores as well.

RA is easier to prevent than to cure. There are some easy ways to reduce the risk of getting arthritis and make sure you live a more productive and happy life. Hopefully, the information that has been provided in the above article has offered you some practical information to apply to your situation.