When we talk about arthritis, we’re talking about many illnesses that cause inflammation and discomfort in the joints.
What form of arthritis do you have? Is it degenerative, which means the symptoms get worse with time, or is it an autoimmune type of arthritis with extra-articular symptoms associated with inflammatory flares and a long-term clinical pattern?
Osteoarthritis (OA) and rheumatoid arthritis (RA) are two kinds of arthritis (RA). Osteoarthritis (OA) is mostly caused by bones rubbing together due to cartilage wear and tear, which produces friction, injury, and inflammation.
Rheumatoid arthritis is a disease that affects the entire body and manifests as a variety of symptoms. When the immune system mistakenly targets healthy joint tissue, it results in RA, an autoimmune disease. Ask arthritis doctors to know about these in detail.
Medications can be prescribed by doctors to treat arthritis pain, but natural remedies are frequently recommended as well.
Always consult a specialist from a reliable pain clinic for arthritis before attempting any form of arthritis treatment, including those that do not include medication.
Keeping an Eye on Your Weight Is Essential
The amount of weight you carry can have a significant impact on arthritis pain and disability. An increase in body weight puts additional strain on the joints, especially the knees, hips, and feet, which are already under stress.
If you have OA and are overweight or obese, you should follow the recommendations of the American College of Rheumatology and Arthritis Foundation (ACR/AF).
Your doctor can assist you in determining a goal weight and developing a plan to help you achieve it.
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Losing weight and reducing joint tension
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Can help with mobility and pain
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Protect your joints from further harm
Make an Effort to Stay Active
When it comes to arthritis, exercise can help you with a variety of things, including:
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Maintain the flexibility of your joints
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Increase joint support by strengthening the muscles around them
According to arthritis doctors, you should begin a regular fitness regimen as soon as possible. It’s possible that doing out with a coach or a friend makes it more fun and keeps you more motivated.
Low-impact activities like these are excellent alternatives:
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Walking
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Cycling
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Tai chi
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Avariety of water-based pursuits
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Swimming
Apply a Combination of Hot and Cold Therapy
The use of heat and cold therapy can aid with arthritis pain relief and inflammatory inflammation reduction.
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A warm shower or bath in the morning can help remove stiffness, as can sleeping with an electric blanket or moist heating pad to alleviate pain at night.
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Cold therapy can help reduce swelling and inflammation in the joints. Apply a towel-wrapped gel ice pack or a bag of frozen vegetables to sore joints to provide immediate relief. Ice should never be applied directly to the skin since it might cause burns.
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Some over-the-counter topical ointments and lotions contain capsaicin, a compound derived from chilli peppers. The warmth that these items provide can help alleviate joint pain.
Acupuncture May Be an Option to Consider
Thin needles are inserted into particular places on the body during acupuncture, an ancient Chinese medical procedure. Rebalancing your body’s energy is how it works, according to practitioners.
The ACR/AF conditionally recommends acupuncture as a means of reducing arthritic pain. There isn’t enough evidence to say if it’s beneficial, but the danger isn’t great either. A licensed and certified acupuncturist should be used to administer this therapy.
Deal With Pain By Meditating.
You can better manage arthritis pain if you use meditation and relaxation practices to help you cope with it. Inflammation and discomfort may be reduced as a result of a reduced level of stress.
Tai chi and yoga are recommended by the ACR and AF. These incorporate low-impact exercise with meditation, relaxation, and breathing techniques.
People with RA who practice mindfulness meditation report relief from their symptoms, according to the NIH.
When a condition like arthritis involves long-term pain, it’s normal for its side effects to include anxiety, tension, and depression.
Eat a Balanced, Nutritious Diet
Fresh fruits, veggies, and whole foods in your diet can help strengthen your immune system and keep you healthy in general. Certain dietary choices may have an impact on persons with RA and OA, according to research.
Antioxidants found in a plant-based diet can help reduce inflammation by eradicating the body’s supply of free radicals.
A diet high in red meat, processed foods, saturated fat, and added sugar and salt, on the other hand, may exacerbate arthritis’ inflammatory symptoms of inflammation and pain. As a result, these meals aren’t likely to be healthy for persons with arthritis.
Taking vitamin D or omega-3 fatty acids is not currently recommended as a treatment for OA, but eating foods rich in these nutrients as part of a healthy diet may help with general well-being.
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**Disclaimer: This content should not be considered medical advice and does not imply a doctor-patient relationship.
