Approximately 20% of North Americans suffer from arthritis pain. There are over a dozen types of arthritis, but osteoarthritis is one of the most common forms. It causes intense joint inflammation, pain, and can cause disability. If left untreated, arthritis can make living a normal life pretty difficult.
Joint pain, swelling, and stiffness impact your quality of life, but it is possible to live happy, active lives without much disruption of daily life.
Here are some of the easy ways you can manage daily function if you live with arthritis pain.
Managing Daily Function with Arthritis
Maintain a Health Weight
Extra weight puts significant strain on your joints. This worsens arthritis pain and can even lead to more severe complications. Losing weight can decrease joint pain. Lifestyle changes can help you shed the extra pounds, like daily exercise and a healthy diet.
Rest When Needed
As much as exercise is important to reducing joint pain, so is time to rest. Listening to your body and knowing when to take a break is important so you don’t risk further injury or pain to your joints. Elevating sore joints and using heat and cold therapy reduces inflammation and decreases pain after feeling stiff and sore.
Healthy Diet
A diet that is full of anti-inflammatory foods helps manage arthritis pain. Since inflammation is a leading cause of joint pain, reducing any triggers of inflammation helps. Whole foods is a good start. Reduce processed and deep fried foods. Adding fiber helps reduce inflammation.
Reduce, or Stop Smoking
Smoking leads to a wide variety of health issues, including arthritis. The toxins in cigarette smoke negatively affect the connective tissue around joints and worsens arthritis. A smoking habit also increases complications if surgery is necessary. Some procedures used to treat arthritis may not be safe for people who smoke.
A Warm Bath
A warm bath or shower can reduce stiffness and pain, much like heat therapy. Using a shower mitt or loofah can reduce stress on fingers and hand joints.
Safety Equipment
Have handrails installed to help getting in and out of the bathtub or shower safely. A shower seat can be helpful in the shower if you have hip or knee arthritis. If you have arthritis in your shoulders or elbows, try drying off with a terry cloth robe, instead of a towel.
Kitchen Utensils for Ease
Cooking in the kitchen can make hand or finger arthritis worse, but there are kitchen utensils that are made specifically for people with arthritis. These tools reduce joint pain and stiffness. Using a pizza wheel to cut sandwiches, lasagna, and other foods make it easy to cut things without hurting your hands.
Add Supplements to Your Diet
There are a number of supplements and vitamins that help reduce inflammation and arthritis pain. Vitamins play a major role in your overall health. Minerals like zinc, calcium, iron, and magnesium also help reduce arthritis pain. Some people with arthritis find that capsaicin, turmeric, and other supplements can decrease symptoms. Always be sure to talk to your doctor before starting any vitamin or supplement regimen.
Exercise Daily
Regular exercise to help keep your joints moving will prevent pain and stiffness. Low-impact activities that strengthen muscles like swimming, walking, and cycling are all good options for people with arthritis. Gentle stretching added to your daily life keeps your joints flexible and loose. This can increase their range of motion, helping to reduce stiffness and pain.
Always talk to your doctor before making a major lifestyle change to reduce your arthritis pain and stiffness.
Contact ArthritisVIP to how we can help you manage your arthritis with a holistic approach.
