If you or a loved one is suffering from arthritis, you may not have any idea what steps to take in order to fight the disease. Understanding the nature and symptoms of your arthritis is the first step in treating it properly.
Don’t get around cigarette smoke, and quit smoking if you smoke. The nicotine in cigarettes can reduce blood flow to your extremities, which may reduce inflammation in the short term. The reduction in blood flow, however, has a negative effect on joint health, which will increase the severity of arthritis over time.
Go to some yoga classes to help your arthritis. Studies have proven that the relaxation and exercise offered from yoga can ease pain in the joints caused by arthritis.
It is extremely important to get the required amount of sleep if you suffer from arthritis. The cells of your body rejuvenate while you are sleeping. Make an effort to enjoy at least eight full hours of sleep per night; add a few more hours at the end of a particularly exhausting day. There is a great benefit to getting quality sleep on a regular basis.
Aquatic activities and water aerobics are ideal exercises for arthritis sufferers. These activities are great for stretching your muscles and joints as well as being soothing for your joints.
TIP! Use ice packs or heating pads to relieve some joint pain. For best results, alternate using cold and heat.If you are an arthritis sufferer and building a new home, seek your contractor’s advice on building modifications. Sit down and create a list of all the things you want with your builder. These simple modifications make every day easier and safer by accommodating your sore, inflamed joints.
You should do everything you can to stop the progress of arthritis as soon as you are diagnosed. A good prevention tip is to use good typing habits. Always make sure your hands are level, and you should always have a mousepad. This lessens the amount of stress on the hands and keeps you from developing further problems down the road with your hands.
If you have exhausted all your options when it comes to treating arthritis, it may be time to discuss joint surgery with your doctor. This type of surgery may help reverse the debilitating effects arthritis might have on flexibility and mobility of the joints, which has been shown to be worthwhile in many patients.
TIP! Water aerobics and swimming can be wonderful activities to participate in if you have been diagnosed with arthritis. Not only are water activities good for limbering up your muscles and joints, the water especially when warm, gives off a soothing effect for arthritis sufferers.Always strive for the best sleep possible. Especially for someone who suffers from arthritis, sleep is very important to rejuvenate your body and supply the necessary energy to get you through the next day. Make the room completely black before you try to sleep. Face the alarm clock to the wall, turn off the cellphones and laptops, and breakout the relaxation methods you have been taught.
Having a good support system is important for arthritis sufferers. Have a team made up of doctors, friends and family around you so that they can help you deal with what you are going through. Support groups are also very helpful. It will give you the chance to talk to others who are also coping with arthritis, and probably dealing with the same things that you are.
Instead of letting your arthritis control you, try improving the condition by learning what you can about it. The guidelines from this article are the perfect launching pad for your efforts to learn about arthritis. Remember this information as you explore all available treatment options and recommendations.