A recent study indicated that many people believe that only older adults can suffer from the painful condition known as arthritis. On the contrary, this disease can affect adult men and women as well as children. If you are struggling with arthritis, the information in this article will offer insight into the condition.
Watch out for co-morbid condition, especially depression. Arthritis and depression can lock you into a feedback loop: you're tired and in pain, so you can't do the things you love, which makes you more upset. Being upset then leads to symptom flare-ups. If you think you are depressed, speak with your doctor about a referral to a psychiatrist.
Other issues are linked to arthritis. For instance, being depressed or suffering from diabetes could increase your chances of getting arthritis. You should do some research about how your existing medical conditions could influence your arthritis, and find out what you can do to keep these other conditions under control.
Try including Mediterranean food in your diet. A study came out several years ago that found that arthritis sufferers who consistently ate Mediterranean fruits, vegetables, cereals and olive oil over a period of three months had better daily functioning that other patients. Since eating more fruits and vegetables is good for your health anyway, it is definitely worth a try.
Play in the dirt. Digging in the dirt can be very therapeutic for sore hands. So go out and buy some seeds and plant. When working in the garden be sure to use arthritis-friendly gardening tools that will help prevent too much reaching, carrying and bending. If your arthritis is too painful for traditional gardening, check into enabling gardening.
Watch what you eat - cut down on red meat too. People who follow a Mediterranean diet are less likely to suffer from arthritis. A Mediterranean diet includes fish, cereals, fruits and oils. Make sure you include these important elements in your daily diet and you should see a difference. This will not cure arthritis but should help reduce the pain.
You should get a massage every once in a while if you have arthritis. The massages will help soothe sore muscles and relieve pain. If you are overweight you should try to lose some weight. Your weight will cause more pain for your arthritis, so losing some weight would be less painful for you.
Walking is an activity that helps arthritis in many aspects. Not only does it help your body to release any tensions it may have, but it also helps by stretching out weak joints and muscles. If it is possible, try to talk a 20 to 30 minute walk every day.
If you are suffering from rheumatoid arthritis, make sure you're getting enough omega-3 in your diet. If you're not, consider taking a supplement like fish oil to help get those levels up. Studies have shown that omega-3 has many anti-inflammatory benefits for those who suffer from rheumatoid arthritis.
Arthritis
Focus on strength training. People who suffer from arthritis have been shown to increase their flexibility and overall health from performing strength exercises as little as twice a week. Stick with moderate or lighter exercises to get the maximum benefits without causing any undue stress on your joints, which may cause inflammation.
If you are allergic to something, do not eat it. Some mild allergies might not bother you at all, but they actually make your arthritis worst. If you are allergic to dairy or seafood, chances are you can still eat these foods without any serious danger, except for your joints.
Arthritis In The Knees
Glucosamine is a supplement that you may want to consider using if you suffer from arthritis. This supplement is made from the shells of lobsters, crabs, and shrimp and contains nutrients that help to ease pain in the joints, especially pain in people that suffer from arthritis in the knees.
In many cases, becoming more knowledgeable about a condition makes it much easier to seek out treatment options that are best for each individual. By following the advice that you have just read, you will be better prepared to make the necessary adjustments to continue living with arthritis free from pain.