Overview
Arthritis is a very common condition, especially among adults, which causes pain and swelling of the joints and bones. Sometimes it also affects children in the form of Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis(JIA). In the adults, it takes place in two forms known as osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis. The former is more common among the two and it degenerates the connective tissues between the bones of hands, spine, knees and hips. Generally, it affects the older people but can occur in young age also because of an injury or some other joint-related problems. The rheumatoid arthritis is less common but more severe. It is caused by a fault in the body’s immune system which attacks the affected joints and cause reduction of movement or the breakdown of bones and cartilage. So far no sure shot cure for arthritis has been developed. However, there are a lot of available treatments which slow down the growth of arthritis. An arthritis patient must also incorporate a few do’s and don’ts to cope with the disease. Read below to find them out.
Do’s
1. Detailed consultation with your doctor
It is necessary to make the doctor aware of your overall health condition. For this, tell him/her about every symptoms, even those that you may feel unconnected to arthritis. Also, ask the doctor to provide you with the exact status of your arthritis and damaged bones, if any. This will help you assess your condition and work for the betterment. Also, don’t hesitate to consult another doctor if the former fails to satisfy.
2. Basic adjustments in everyday routine
Include some gentle physical exercise in your everyday routine,especially in the evening. These exercises should include activities like yoga, low-impact aerobic exercises, walking, cycling, which help build muscles around the joints. This will make you fill less stiff in the morning. Always try to adjust your position while watching TV or sitting in the chair. Also, protect your body from household hazards that may cause you fall and get your eyesight checked regularly.
3. Medication
Always consult your doctor for proper medication in accordance with your condition. Also, it is important to provide proper rest to the affected joints. You can also apply cold packs to relive the pain or hot packs for decreasing the stiffness of joints and other muscles.
4. Therapies for emotional well being
Some therapies are advisable to keep your mood better because arthritis brings with it the emotional hazards associated with deteriorating physical strength and increased dependence on others. These include cognitive behavioral therapy, acupuncture, yoga and journaling. These therapies have proven capacity to interrupt with all the negative mind-body interactions.
Don’ts
1. Heavy physical activities
Avoid heavy physical activities during arthritis. Some of them are jumping, running, playing football or tennis, high-impact aerobics and doing same activity for a longer duration. At the same time, make sure that you are not completely inactive as this will cause muscle atrophy and decrease the stability of your joints.
2. Precaution with medicines
It necessary to avoid both the conditions of over and under treatment. Many people end up taking extra medicines to avoid arthritis pain by self before consulting a doctor. At the same time, many tend to initially ignore the arthritis pain. Both the practice can be harmful. Also, avoid focusing on only the physical pain associated with arthritis. Studies have shown that
some of the pain can be reduced by treating the mental depression caused by arthritis in affected people.
3. Smoking, alcohol and other addictions
Completely stop smoking and taking alcohol if you have arthritis. The harmful chemicals, or toxins, released by smoke causes stress on the connective tissues of the body. This may further increase the joint pain under arthritis. Similarly, the use of alcohol affects the balance of the body. This may cause you fall.
FAQs
1. Can I drive during arthritis?
A. Yes, you can drive but only if there are no severe mobility problems. There are also many advices provided by the health department which you need to follow while driving with arthritis
2. Is there any special food that I can take to cure arthritis?
A. A few studies have shown that some foods can slow the progress of arthritis pain and inflammation. Foods like include apples, berries, cherries, citrus fruits, low-fat dairy products, oily fish etc help cure rheumatoid arthritis. Also, calcium rich foods like nuts, seeds, fish, milk, etc. may help in osteoarthritis. .
3. When should I start taking medicines for arthritis?
A. It is necessary to take the medicines for arthritis as early as possible. Initially, it is difficult to differentiate between a common joint pain and arthritis. But you need to be cautious and consult the doctor if there is any doubt.
