TIP! Stay on the lookout for new treatments that become available. However, many physicians won’t want to change treatments when a patient is doing well on the current treatment.

There has been a substantial increase, recently, in the number of joint pain sufferers diagnosed with arthritis. The condition affects the joints, causing inflammation and sharp pain that can make movement difficult. This article will provide people that deal with arthritis a few tips on how to treat it.

TIP! Joint pain and stiffness can be challenging, so rub some castor oil onto them. Your joints can be wonderfully relieved of pain from massaging the oil into them.

You cannot allow yourself to take on a bad mood if you have arthritis. If you sink into a funk, your condition is only going to worsen. Some tasks will become harder as your condition progresses. If you allow yourself to feel pressured or guilty, you will be making the situation worse. Instead, remind yourself that this is in no way your fault, and stay positive. Having to give up doing certain things is not a reason to feel guilty.

TIP! It can be very helpful to use a journal or diary. By maintaining a journal that details exactly when your pain starts, you can begin to analyze whether there is some common cause for your pain.

You must make an effort to lose weight. Too much weight for an arthritis sufferer leads to painful swelling and inflammation. Too much weight adds strain to the joints, instigating these problems. Having less excess weight will make the pain less intense and the swellings less common.

TIP! If you struggle with dealing with arthritis, you will constantly be seeking new methods for treatment and improvement in your condition. Take note of where your pain lies on the scale of one to 10 before trying any new treatment.

Don’t keep your arthritis pain a secret from friends and loved ones. Once they understand what you are going through, they are in a better position to give you support and assistance. If you tell your support system what kind of pain you are experiencing, they will let you slide.

TIP! There are 3 different types of arthritis, which are psoriatic, rheumatoid and osteoarthritis. Each different kind of arthritis should be dealt with in different ways.

Inform other people! If they know you have it and how it makes you feel, they will be more understanding when you choose not to do certain things. Arthritis discomfort can be frustrating to deal with, and others may misinterpret your mood. You need to make these people aware of what is happening in your life, so that they can provide you with the support that you need.

TIP! Diet is a key factor when it comes to dealing with arthritis. A controlled trial demonstrated that people who ate diets that included lots of fresh fruit, vegetables, olive oil, and beans over a 90-day period functioned better and had higher vitality levels.

Buy a digital timer that you can clip onto your belt and use daily. When you need to do chores, set the timer for five to ten minutes as a reminder to take a short break. You may find that others urge you to hurry up and complete your work in one block, though that is not always a good idea.

TIP! Alcohol was, in the past, generally prohibited for those suffering from arthritis. However, research now indicates that alcohol consumed in moderate amounts does not have any negative effects on arthritis sufferers.

Laugh a lot! You can decrease stress and improve your mood by doing such things as reading a book you enjoy, laughing with your family and friends, or watching a movie that makes you laugh. Laughter is a strong assistant when it comes to people with arthritis, so be sure to use it well and often for the most benefits.

TIP! Take a moment to ask your physician about treatment with heat and cold pads over the joints. Cool packs or hot packs can give you a lot of relief.

Many more people today have arthritis. This is probably due to the aging of the population and, perhaps diet and exercise issues at large. If you follow these practical tips, you can improve your arthritis situation.