Arthritis, a prevalent condition, is characterised by severe symptoms like inflammation and stiffness in the joints. Although osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis are the two kinds of the disease that are diagnosed most frequently, there are a great many others. Arthritis, in any of its myriad manifestations, can significantly reduce a person’s quality of life by rendering even the most basic of actions, such as walking or sitting, excruciatingly painful and physically draining.
Here are some dos and don’ts for managing arthritis pain:
Do’s:
Exercise regularly
People who suffer from arthritis should engage in regular physical exercise if they want to see improvement in their condition. Walking, yoga, and swimming are examples of exercises that are gentle on the joints and can help alleviate stiffness, increase range of motion, and strengthen the muscles that stabilize the limbs.
Maintain a healthy weight
People who suffer from arthritis should engage in regular physical exercise if they want to see improvement in their condition. Walking, yoga, and swimming are examples of exercises that are gentle on the joints and can help alleviate stiffness, increase range of motion, and strengthen the muscles that stabilize the limbs.
Use assistive devices
When moving around, making use of a cane, crutches, or walker can assist in the distribution of the user’s weight, hence reducing the amount of strain that is placed on their bones and joints.
Apply heat or cold
The application of heat or ice to the area around a joint can provide relief from the associated pain and inflammation. The application of heat to the affected area, whether in the form of a heating pad or a heated cloth, can help ease pain, while applying ice to the joint can help reduce inflammation.
Take pain medication
Pain relievers that don’t require a prescription, such as acetaminophen or nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, or NSAIDs, can help alleviate some of the discomfort that comes along with arthritis.
Don’ts:
Avoid high-impact activities
The discomfort associated with arthritis can be made worse by high-impact exercises such as jogging, leaping, or carrying heavy weights.
Avoid repetitive motions
Repeating motions that already cause pain, such as typing or using a mouse, can make arthritis symptoms worse. This is especially true for people who already have joint stiffness.
Avoid prolonged sitting
Sitting for extended periods of time can cause discomfort in the joints, which is a typical complaint among sedentary people. It is essential to take regular pauses, stretch, and move around as much as possible in order to reduce the amount of pain experienced and keep the joints functioning.
Avoid alcohol and tobacco
There is a correlation between the use of alcohol and tobacco and an increase in the pain and damage caused by arthritis.
Avoid skipping medication
Even though you may be feeling better, it is important that you keep taking your prescription exactly as directed. If you don’t take your medication as prescribed, you run the danger of making your joint pain even worse and risking lasting damage to your joints.
