Arthritis can unexpectedly creep up on you by starting as a slight discomfort, developing into constant pain, and finally becoming a full blown debilitating condition. It can prevent you from performing everyday tasks, and participating in your favorite activities. A few helpful pointers can be applied to prevent a lot of this from ever transpiring, but the advice must be acted on.

Be proactive, and educate yourself about your symptoms and the best ways to treat them. Exercise, proper nutrition, weight loss and pain management are a variety of methods used for treating inflammation of the joints. If you devote even a small amount of time to learning more about your condition, you will learn new ways to manage the pain and other symptoms of arthritis.

If you have pain that is causing fatigue, try heat. Cold packs can work in some cases, but most people suffering from arthritis respond to heat much better. Heat can provide pain relief, as well as giving you some of your energy back.

Try to eat more veggies and less meats. Studies have shown that vegetarians afflicted with arthritis suffer less swelling, inflammation, and pain than other arthritis sufferers that include meat in their diets. If you love meat too much to eliminate it from your meals, just fill half your plate with good vegetables so that you are getting the benefits that vegetables give our bodies.

If you suffer from arthritis, do not smoke. Research has indicated that smokers have more issues with joint swelling and pain related to arthritis than nonsmokers. If you are a smoker, you should consider quitting this dangerous habit. It could improve your arthritis symptoms and possibly save your life. If you are having trouble quitting on your own, consult with your doctor who can prescribe a medication that will help.

Good posture is key when you deal with arthritis pain. This reduces stress and pressure on your joints and the vertebrae in your spine. Get a good foundation by placing your feet parallel, approximately one foot apart. Pull your shoulders back and make sure your weight is distributed evenly.

Moist heating pads can offer relief for arthritis discomfort. You may want to purchase a heating pad that provides moist heat if your arthritis pain is severe and interferes with your ability to function normally. Although these pads can give you quick relief, you should always consult with your doctor about treatment.

Give yourself regular breaks when you are working. Set the timer for 10 minutes so you can take breaks when you're doing chores or other laborious activities. A lot of people will want to keep working until the timer goes off, though this is not really going to help you.

Sore joints need to be stretched and exercised with care. Even if moving hurts, your condition will improve if you get some exercise. Even making small, gentle movements can help ease joint pain and improve health. Additionally, you will want to incorporate exercise into your routine to maintain a healthy lifestyle.

This may not be a cure for arthritis, but these simple daily changes can result in stopping some of the common causes for the issue. Many people develop the problem because of everyday things, such as posture or the way they walk. With this article, you can begin to change these activities into something that can, instead, shield your joints from a lifetime of pain.