Do not let your arthritis become a debilitating disease that prevents you from completing everyday chores. If arthritis is making your life miserable, you need to take action. This article was created specifically for people that are just like you. Keep reading to get some new ways to deal with arthritis.

Stay away from smoking, and quit if you are already smoking. Inflammation will be made worse if your blood does not flow to the extreme parts of your body and cause a lot of unneeded pain. 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.

Try taking warm baths with bath salts before going to sleep if you have arthritis. This will relax the joints and muscles, and relieve any other pressures of the day. It may not entirely relieve the pain, but it should help you sleep better.

Medications should never be altered until you check with your physician. The danger lies in a rebound effect if the medication is stopped too quickly. A medication that seems to be ineffective at first, may just need time to build up in your body in order to work.

If you suffer from rheumatoid arthritis, you should maintain a daily journal. If you keep a journal it can help you understand what is in your life that will spark a flare up in arthritis. It can also work to learn what will help control your symptoms. This information should be shared with your doctor which can help him to prescribe the best possible treatment options. You will find a diary is very useful.

If you are planning to build a new house but have arthritis, you should ask your builder for some modifications help. Have a talk with the designer and help establish a list of must haves. Make these changes if you want to avoid as much pain as possible when it comes to your joints.

Fish Oil

If you have arthritis troubles, taking fish oil could help you. Medical research has confirmed that omega-3 fatty acids, which are in fish oil, will help to relieve the pain and inflammation found in the joints of arthritis sufferers. Many supermarkets, and any vitamin/supplement stores, will carry fish oil.

Sit back in your chair, let your eyes gently close, and breathe deeply over and over again. Doing this will help you focus on something else and feel less pain.

A cane offers great support. A lot of people afflicted with arthritis resist using a cane out vanity and the stigma of having a disability. If a cane lessens the pain, then you are not as disabled as you think without a cane. Find a cane that is comfortable and that fits your style.

Try planning ahead. You never know how your arthritis will flare up, so always have a plan to stave off any issues. Break big jobs into smaller tasks where you can rest in between, and have a way to end a task if needed.

Acupuncture is a popular treatment for people who suffer from arthritis. It is a proven fact that acupuncture helps ease some of the pain that is associated with arthritis. This method will work if you turn it into a habit.

If arthritis has you thinking of knee surgery, it is worth using a knee brace first to see if this helps. Most braces will help to lessen the pain and inflammation and can help you avoid surgery. Knee braces can also be worn during sleep.

Use assistance as much as possible when engaging in strenuous activity. Make sure to take the absolute best precautions so that you protect your muscles and joints. Use a cane if you will be standing for a long period, for example, or use a hand truck to move heavy objects. Excessive pressure will only cause further damage to your joints. More joint damage will increase pain, so avoid any sort of long-term exertion if you can.

If less invasive arthritis treatments have made no difference, it might be time to discuss surgery with your doctor. You can actually reverse arthritis effects and improve your health by going through a procedure like joint surgery.

Remember to laugh! Whether you share jokes with your friends, sit down to watch a comedy, or giggle over a funny book, laughter puts you in a better mood and leaves you feeling less stressed. Laughter is one of the best allies against arthritis pain.

Fatty Acids

You may have to dial back your activity level if you suffer from Psoriatic Arthritis. Your energy levels are not the same as they used to be. Attempting to engage in the same activity level you did before being diagnosed with arthritis can cause permanent damage. Instead of trying to do everything, focus your efforts on only those things that really matter to you. You don’t have to do it all, and that is important to remember.

Make sure to put Omega 3 acids (also called fatty acids) into your diet. These can be found as dietary supplements in capsule form, and you can also get these from foods, such as nuts, flax seeds and oily fish. The fatty acids lubricate your joints, soothing the pain you would otherwise feel.

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.

Be particularly aware of what you eat. Arthritis suffers may also have food allergies or reactions to certain types seasonings, but they fail to recognize the problem. Keep detailed notes about the foods that you eat and what symptoms you experience. Note what foods make your symptoms worse. You might be able to pinpoint what is worsening your pain.