Managing your arthritis may feel impossible. Not only does it complicate a number of everyday tasks, but the pain can be excruciating. But as difficult as dealing with arthritis may seem, there are a number of things that can be done to help. This article will give you some of the best tips on how to better deal with your arthritis.If you have arthritis, try reducing your caffeine intake. Some people are extre
mely sensitive to arthritis. In those individuals, reducing the consumption of caffeine can have a positive effect on arthritis symptoms. Reduce the amount of caffeine you consume gradually to best gauge if your results will be positive ones.
Rearrange the furniture in your home. You want to be able to walk a straight line from one room to another. The fewer turns you have to make, the less stress you will place on your weight-bearing joints, especially your hips. You should enlist the help of a friend to move your furniture, of course.
Make sure you don't smoke. Smoking has been shown to increase your risk of developing rheumatoid arthritis. Not only that, but if you do develop it, smoking has been shown to worsen the joint damage. Patients who smoke most often have much more severe symptoms than those patients who don't smoke.
Consider joining an arthritis support group. Friends and family members who don't suffer from arthritis may have a hard time understanding exactly what you are going through and how much it affects your life. Connecting with other arthritis sufferers in a supportive environment can make it easier to cope with the chronic , day to day pain and other difficulties associated with the disease.
See a doctor to find out exactly what type of arthritis you have if you feel you are suffering from arthritic symptoms. There are over one hundred different types of arthritis and knowing your specific type can help you learn how to help take care of yourself more effectively.
Try hot wax for relief. While heating pads can give great relief when used, they do not completely touch every painful spot. Warm wax envelopes your entire hand or foot, giving you complete relief to the painful areas. Make sure the wax is not too hot, and do not use it too often, or you may cause more irritation than you fix.
One way to deal with arthritis is to make sure you are coping with it in a positive manner. Focus on wellness and not on sickness. It is not easy when you are in pain to think in a positive way, but you can do it! It will help you and your pain.
Even though arthritis cannot be cured, there are many things you can do to get your pain under control. Be sure to discuss alternative treatments with your doctor that will give you more control over your pain symptoms. A feeling of empowerment will help you get the most out of your arthritis therapy.
Many who suffer from arthritis feel as if no one else understands and that they are isolated. Don't isolate yourself--find support groups to help you manage your disease. Support groups on or offline can help you deal with issues relating to arthritis. Exchanging tips with others in the same situation helps everyone cope better.
Be sure to establish a proper balance between exercise and rest in your daily life. When you get plenty of exercise, as well as plenty of rest, you will find your arthritis is less bothersome. Remember that even very fit athletes need to give their bodies time to rest and recuperate between workouts, and so do you.
Occupational therapy has been known to help people who suffer from arthritis. Sometimes this kind of therapy is covered by many health insurance plans. Occupational therapy will help identify problem areas in your lifestyle and work with you to find ways to eliminate them or help you work with them to lead a more pain free life.
Millions of people successfully manage their arthritis, and you can too. While your arthritis may always be a burden, applying the advice in this article can make it much easier to live with. Take the time to give these tips a try and find out what works for you. Once you try them, you'll be wishing you looked for advice a lot sooner.
