Take care of yourself and your arthritis by learning more about dealing with this condition. There are many different factors that go into preventing and reducing the symptoms of arthritis. In this article we will cover a few areas that you can focus on to deal with this condition.
Low impact exercises, such as cycling, swimming and walking, can ease arthritis discomfort in your joints. Talk to your doctor before trying any exercises if you have concerns that it could possibly contribute to arthritic pain or discomfort.
Make sure you don't smoke. Smoking has been shown to increase your risk of developing rheumatoid arthritis. Not only that, but if you do develop it, smoking has been shown to worsen the joint damage. Patients who smoke most often have much more severe symptoms than those patients who don't smoke.
If you have arthritis, say "no" to high heels and "yes" to comfortable flat shoes. Not wearing the proper shoes can cause an abnormal gait affecting your arthritis everywhere in your body. Purchase some comfy sneakers with plenty of support.
It is important that you quit smoking if you suffer from arthritis. It is a proven medical fact that smoking can make your arthritis symptoms worse. Also, if you smoke and you are taking medications to control your arthritis symptoms, smoking can actually decrease the positive effects of these medications.
Alternate hot and cold treatments. It's easy to overuse your joints, and switching between these cold and hot packs can ease pain and decrease swelling. Too much heating or icing can cause problems, though, so don't use them too much. Don't do this more than twice a day.
Take a break, but not for too long. When your body feels tired, it is always trying to tell you something. Relaxing both your body and your mind can give you a much needed rest to allow you to be at your best. Try not to relax too much though, as doing so can actually aggravate symptoms.
Set goals for yourself. Planning out what you want to do for the day or week ahead can help to motivate you into actually getting it done. You should even speak to your doctor about what you want to accomplish within the next few months or year, in order to work out a plan that will help you do it.
Have a positive attitude. Negativity causes stress and depression, both of which can be very harmful to someone suffering from arthritis. Remove negative influences from your life, and learn to see the positive side of anything that happens. Doing so will keep you going for much longer than if you let sadness overcome.
Ask your doctor for copies of their notes. Having a copy of what they have written about you will allow you to point out any flaws or mistakes, as well as clarify what the doctor may believe to be aggravating symptoms. Most doctors will readily hand these to you, so that you can examine them as well.
Hopefully these tips have given you some things to consider when dealing with your condition. While we can't cover every possible tip here, you can use what you have learned to go out and discover more. Knowledge is the best weapon we have in the fight against arthritis and its effects.
