Arthritis is not just a disease of old age. It can affect people of any age and can cause chronic pain, stiffness, and swelling in joints. Arthritis pain relief can be difficult, but several ways exist to manage the condition. These include medication and non-drug approaches such as rest, exercise, a healthy diet, and stress management techniques like yoga or meditation.
1. Use the right medication:
If you’re experiencing pain and stiffness in your joints, it’s important to get the right medication. There are many different types of arthritis medications available, including:
- Over-the-counter anti-inflammatory drugs (like ibuprofen)
- Prescription nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) like Celebrex or Vioxx
- Disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs (DMARDs) that slow down the progression of disease by reducing inflammation and preventing bone damage. These include methotrexate, etidronate sodium phosphate monohydrate, sulfasalazine sodium
Make sure that these meds don’t react with your other medications, e.g. if you are having a fatty liver treatment or a diabetes treatment then tell your specialist about the drugs and the time you are taking them on, in order to avoid overlapping!
2. Avoid damaging activities:
- If your arthritis is severe and debilitating, you may have to give up some of the things you enjoy. For example, if your hands are swollen or stiff from arthritis pain, and it’s difficult for you to play golf or garden, don’t force yourself into these activities. Instead, think about other ways to fill your time and stay active that don’t involve using those joints as much.
- Stay away from harmful substances like tobacco products, alcohol, and illegal drugs because they can make symptoms worse by damaging cartilage (the soft tissue that cushions joints).
3. Control your weight:
- Control your weight. Studies show that being overweight or obese can increase the risk of developing arthritis, and it also increases the pain associated with the condition. If you’re overweight or obese, losing just 5% of your body weight may help reduce symptoms by 30%. You can also search for online exercise programs for weight loss or visit a dietitian in person!
- Eat a healthy diet full of fruits and vegetables, and avoid processed foods and sugary drinks such as soda (or even juice). Studies have shown that people who eat lots of whole grains, nuts, and seeds; beans/legumes like lentils or chickpeas; dark green leafy vegetables like kale; orange vegetables such as sweet potatoes; berries like strawberries or blueberries; citrus fruits such as oranges are more likely to develop fewer types of arthritis than those who don’t eat these foods regularly!
4. Rest and exercise:
You may be tempted to push through the pain, but it’s important to rest when you’re experiencing arthritis pain. When you rest, your body has time to repair and heal itself.
Resting is especially important if you have an inflamed, swollen or warm joint. Many people with rheumatoid arthritis will tell you they feel better after a good night’s sleep; that’s because when they wake up, their joints aren’t swollen anymore!
Exercise is another essential part of managing arthritis pain. Regular physical activity helps strengthen muscles and increase flexibility–two things that can help reduce joint stress on an ongoing basis. Exercise also increases blood flow throughout the body, which helps remove toxins from areas like the joints so they can function better over time and improves other areas such as heart health through lower blood pressure levels, among other benefits.
5. Maintain a healthy lifestyle:
The final step to managing arthritis pain is to maintain a healthy lifestyle. This means eating well, exercising regularly and making sure you get enough rest.
You’ll want to eat foods that are rich in antioxidants and other nutrients that can help reduce inflammation. Proteins are also good in maintaining muscle strength, it is also said that whey protein reduces inflammation too, but do consult a dietitian before experimenting with anything. You should also be getting at least 30 minutes of exercise at least 3 times per week for optimal results.
Finally, make sure you’re getting enough sleep – studies have shown that people who sleep less than 7 hours per night are more likely to develop chronic diseases like arthritis later in life!
6. Manage stress and depression:
Stress and depression can make arthritis pain worse. If you’re feeling stressed, try to find ways to relax, such as meditation or exercise. You can also talk to a counselor or therapist about your stressors; they may be able to help you come up with solutions that will make them easier to deal with.
If you have depression or anxiety related to arthritis, it’s important not just because these conditions are painful in their own right–they also make it harder for people with other health problems such as arthritis by interfering with their ability to manage symptoms and stick with treatment plans. Depression often occurs along with other chronic illnesses like heart disease and diabetes; if this sounds like something that might apply in your case (or if anyone else close to you has been diagnosed), reach out for help from a mental health professional who specializes in working with people who have chronic illnesses–and don’t give up until someone helps!
7. Get help with a plan to manage arthritis pain:
If you’re experiencing chronic pain, it can be difficult to know where to start in terms of treatment. You may think that all you need is something to take the edge off your symptoms or to make them go away altogether. But when it comes down to it, arthritis pain relief isn’t just about popping pills–it’s also about building up your resilience and learning how not just cope but thrive despite living with this condition.
That’s why we recommend working with a healthcare professional who has expertise in treating patients with chronic pain conditions like arthritis (or any other type of long-term medical condition). This person will help guide you through the different options available for managing your symptoms so that ultimately, they can help identify which ones will work best for your unique situation and needs as an individual patient.
Conclusion
All in all, arthritis is a manageable condition. By taking steps to manage the pain and inflammation, you can live a full life moving around without being limited by arthritis treatment.
Article by Laura Watson
Published by International Pain Foundation, iPain Blog, Team iPain
