Arthritis is the inflammation and tenderness of an individual’s joint or joints. It’s one of the most common causes of joint pains and muscle stiffness, especially among older people. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, over 350 million people live with arthritis worldwide.
One in four people struggle with osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, or other rare forms in the United States alone. Treating arthritis can be draining, especially if you have no clue where to turn for answers when things worsen at home. Here are five important tips for managing arthritis pain.
Use A Mobility Aid
Arthritis treatments may have improved over the years due to extensive research, technology and incremental awareness of the condition, but no clear-cut cure exists. Numerous pain relief management solutions exist for people living with arthritis to manage the pain. For instance, your physiotherapist can recommend a wide range of products found on sites like Mobility Solutions to help you move around with less pressure on your inflamed joints. These mobility aids can include canes, crutches, or walkers, which all help to offload the amount of pressure your body exerts on the affected area.
Minimize Negative Lifestyle Habits
Adopting positive lifestyle habits like dieting can be a great way to manage your arthritis. Some foods and lifestyle choices are triggers, undercutting the body’s natural mechanism to fight arthritis symptoms. For instance, nicotine in tobacco products can adversely affect bone healing and worsen inflammation in arthritis patients.
Doctors reveal that smokers tend to have higher inflammatory proteins called cytokines in their bodies. These proteins play an active part in joint and organ damage, reducing the immune system’s ability to fight bacteria and viruses. Sweets are a no-go area if you have arthritis. To trigger an arthritis response, all it may take is about 40 grams of sugar, which is about the same amount in a can of soda. So it pays to be mindful of your sugar intake as an arthritis patient.
Other foods to avoid include fatty foods, dairy and excessive carbohydrates. On the other hand, green tea, vegetables and fruits can significantly reduce the inflation, and pain linked to arthritis. You may have to rethink leading a sedentary life if you have arthritis.
Keep Physical Activity Low Impact
Talking of exercise, how much exercise is enough to keep your arthritis in check. The number one rule isn’t to engage in any routine that a doctor or physio hasn’t signed off. Cardiovascular exercises can give the body and joints a huge load of stress to deal with. It’s advisable not to engage in high-impact activities like heavy lifting or too much bending.
A crucial life hack is to spread tasks across the week than squeeze several activities into a short period.
Reduce Fall Risk
Tripping and falling are a usual part of an older person’s day. Studies show that about 25 percent of seniors aged 65 years and above fall at least once a year. This can be a bad situation for the elders if they have arthritis. It’s crucial for them to engage in physiotherapy to improve their balance when moving around to prevent falls. Solutions can range from exercise routines to walking aids, depending on the older person’s unique mobility situation.
Know Your OTC Medication
There are numerous OTC medication suggestions on the internet. But ensure to avoid drugs with little information about their credibility or side effects. Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) and acetaminophen are the two main options prescribed by the Food and Drugs Administration for pain relief.
Generally, living with arthritis can be more manageable. Feel free to combine multiple solutions in dire situations.