TIP! Always take care of your joints. If you have rheumatoid arthritis you should stay away from stress you do not need on your joints, this will be more painful.

If you are an arthritis sufferer, you realize that the pain can be very unpleasant, and it can cause problems as your are going about your daily activities. Overwhelming feelings of defeat are understandable, as you may assume that you can no longer do so many of the activities you once took for granted. While some modifications are necessary, your life can be just as joyous as always as you will see in this article.

TIP! Shed extra pounds. If you’re overweight and have arthritis, it can cause swelling and inflammation.

Heating or icing painful joints can relieve pain. Alternate use of a heating pad and an ice pack for even better results. Speak to your doctor to see how to use cold and hot remedies to diminish your pain.

TIP! Practice deep breathing exercises, while relaxing to help ease your arthritis symptoms. When you do this you can forget about your pain temporarily, this can get your brain on track to happy thoughts.

Your overall mood plays a large role in your sense of well-being, so try to remain positive. If you concentrate on the pain or discomfort, then you will never stop feeling it. Just focus on the moment instead of your body. Think about comforting things as this will ease your mind and help you get through the pain.

TIP! If you have arthritis, you can take some stress off your joints by keeping your weight down. Even being slightly overweight can put extra strain on the joints causing the symptoms of arthritis to be exacerbated.

Make sure you put on sun block. Those with arthritis are more susceptible to various conditions caused by the sun, including Lupus. Taking the extra time to put on some sun block, and to monitor your time outside in direct exposure, will help to prevent any further diseases or illnesses that that may arise.

TIP! Lose weight to slow down and decrease the negative effects of arthritis for your knees. Carrying more weight means there is more pressure pushing down on those sensitive areas and backing up, where possible.

When dealing with your arthritis pain, do not be afraid to take the medication that has been prescribed by your doctor to help eliminate some of the pain. All the arthritis drugs on the market have gone through rigorous phase I, II, III, and IV trials to convince the FDA that they are safe and effective.

TIP! Depending on how severely arthritis strikes you, it may be wise to consider professional counseling to resolve the emotional impact. Enduring the chronic pain associated with arthritis can make you emotionally exhausted.

Avoid smoking cigarettes to decrease the pain and inflammation associated from arthritis. Studies have proven that those who don’t smoke, have less problems with joints than those that do. If you are a smoker you should think about quitting to minimize your symptoms. If you cannot stop smoking on your own, ask your doctor if there is a precription medication which could help you.

TIP! If you suffer from arthritis it is of the utmost importance that you are getting enough sleep and rest. If your day has been really hectic, take several breaks to help you relax your body and mind.

These proven arthritis tips have helped many people to overcome the pain and complications of this common condition. If you are experiencing arthritis problems, there are steps that you could take in order to manage the pain.