TIP! Before making any medication schedule changes, talk to your doctor. Many medications need to work their way into your body before they will work.

Arthritis is a painful disease, attacking the joints and causing inflammation and pain. While a common condition, it can be extremely painful. This article provides proven and useful advice from arthritis sufferers who have firsthand experience of these adverse and painful effects.

TIP! Keep a daily journal if you are dealing with rheumatoid arthritis in your daily life. This diary will help show you what is triggering your flare ups.

Getting enough sleep is very important for arthritis sufferers. The pain will be worse if you feel exhausted. Adults need an average of eight hours of sleep, but more may be necessary when you are stressed. Good sleep is one of the best things you can give your body.

TIP! Be proactive by doing whatever it takes to become more informed about your condition. You can discover information at many places that will assist you in controlling your pain, and making necessary alterations to your diet and exercise plans.

Keep a daily journal if you are dealing with rheumatoid arthritis in your daily life. A journal will help you determine what triggers acute pain, and which treatments are most effective. It can also provide clues to what is helping. This is also valuable information that your doctor can use to determine a course of treatment. A diary can help you in many ways.

TIP! Keep the health of your joints in mind as you perform your daily tasks. If you suffer from arthritis, even performing the simplest task is hard.

Smoking has been shown to increase the risk of arthritis flare-ups by causing a loss in joint flexibility. Quitting can be hard, but if you know the serious health risks that cigarettes cause, it can be easier to stop.

Electrical Stimulation

TIP! Try to avoid taking pain killers for arthritis related pain. They are at best a temporary fix and can lead to addiction.

If you have osteoarthritis in your knees, consider asking your physician about electrical stimulation. Studies show that electrical stimulation can not only reduce swelling associated with osteoarthritis, but it can also reduce pain, as well.

TIP! Use a cane for support. Many people who have arthritis resist using canes, because they feel that it means that they have a disability.

If you want to avoid knee surgery, try wearing a brace on your knee for a while. Going under the knife should be done as a last resort, and knee braces are proven effective at swelling reduction and relieving arthritic pains. Some braces are even comfortable enough to wear while sleeping.

TIP! Consult a medical professional to learn what your options in pain relief are. In many cases, preventing further damage and treating pain in a safe and effective way is the best thing to do for arthritis.

The advice in this article represents the best and brightest tips from people who have experienced what it is like to live with arthritis. By following these helpful guidelines, you can be more informed about the nature and treatment of your condition. There are a variety of options available for you and these are only a few.