Here we will go over how to handle arthritis pain.
Arthritis is a common condition that affects nearly forty million individuals in the United States alone. Although arthritis pain is common amongst the population, the pain that accompanies it shouldn’t be taken lightly. Otherwise, further damage and low quality of life can occur.
Keep reading to find out the do’s and dont’s of handling arthritis pain.
2) Do: Get Physical Activity
If you have arthritis, participating in joint-friendly exercises can benefit your condition. Joint-friendly exercises improve functionality, quality of life, and pain, and prevent future damage.
As arthritis worsens, your doctor may prescribe physical therapy as part of your treatment plan. The physical therapist will teach you some joint-friendly exercises that you can continue on your own at home. Some activities include walking, biking, swimming, yoga, and other stretches.
Don’t: Attempt Exercises Without Talking to a Professional First.
Most activities are specific to your arthritis location, and completing the wrong exercises can cause more harm than good. For most types of arthritis, it is a good rule of thumb to avoid jumping and running.
2) Do: Eat Healthily
Although arthritis damage is irreversible, eating a healthy diet is one of the many lifestyle changes you can make to slow the progression of your condition.
To eat healthily with arthritis, you should include foods that complement the lubrication and strength of your bones and joints.
Some examples are:
- Apples
- Salmon
- Extra-Virgin Olive Oil
- Red Peppers
- Walnuts
- Kale
- Eggs
- Garlic
These foods are great options because they are rich in the nutrients; lubrican, calcium, vitamin D, Omega-3 fatty acids, anthocyanins, and quercetin.
Don’t: Eat Unhealthy Foods
It can be hard to determine which foods are unhealthy, especially when trying to avoid foods specific to one or more health conditions. For arthritis, it is best to avoid foods that are fried, processed, or high in salt, sugar, or caffeine. Avoid these foods because they cause inflammation and aggravate joint pain.
3) Do: Talk to Your Doctor
If you have arthritis or suspect you are developing the condition, talk to your doctor right away.
Many people feel that since arthritis often occurs naturally with age, there is no need to seek help. However, this assumption is false. You should always contact your doctor when your body is no longer working up to par with its expectations. Arthritis is part of the natural aging process, but preventative measures and treatment options are available.
Your doctor can assess the situation and determine what steps can be taken to ensure you live your life relatively pain-free. Depending on the type and severity of arthritis, your doctor may suggest physical therapy, medications, or surgical intervention.
Don’t: Accept Your Pain
No matter your age, pain is not normal, and simply accepting it as a natural part of aging can cause irreparable damage to your body. So, when you feel new or worsening pain, contact your doctor because pain is the body’s way of letting you know that something is wrong.
4) Do: Take Medications as Prescribed
When arthritis pain becomes too hard to handle, your doctor will most likely prescribe medications to help ease your discomfort.
Common pain medications prescribed for pain are analgesics, NSAIDs, corticosteroids, DMARDs, or opioids.
Additionally, your doctor may also prescribe vitamins or medications that are meant to aid in the absorption of vital nutrients essential to joint and bone health.
You should take the pain and other medications as prescribed to avoid physical dependency, organ damage, or worsening symptoms.
Don’t: Use Recreational Drugs
When arthritis pain becomes too severe, it can be tempting to find additional relief through recreational drugs like painkillers, alcohol, and tobacco. For legal and health reasons, these substances should be avoided as their consumption may cause further damage or additional problems.
However, marijuana is a substance that is sometimes recreational but can be prescribed for arthritis pain. If you are interested in using medical marijuana, apply online at Veriheal.com.
5) Do: Get Comfortable
Arthritis can make getting comfortable difficult, especially when sitting and sleeping.
However, comfort is essential to your bone and joint health because pain often means that you are stressing a damaged area. Avoid painful positions as much as possible by sitting in a motorized or spring-assisted chair or recliner, sleeping in a custom comfort bed, and elevating the arthritic area when a flare-up appears.
Additionally, you can talk to your doctor about obtaining medical pillows and cushions that aid in comfort.
Don’t: Rest For Too Long
Although it can be tempting to stay put when you find your sweet spot, you should avoid resting for too long.
Resting or sleeping for too long can cause your joints to become stiff or inflamed, and your muscles can weaken. Additionally, avoid sitting on the ground or cross-legged since these positions are hard to get out of and can lead to pain.