A Few Thing You Can do to Help Rheumatoid Arthritis
Change Your Lifestyle
• Avoid all impact-loading activities such as jumping, running, etc.
• Reduce any climbing activities such as stairs, climbs, etc.
• Avoid all activity that causes you any prolonged discomfort.
• Practice good posture by standing up straight, and pushing your head back.
• Avoid stooping when upright.
Cold and Hold Treatments
Cold or heat treatments can be used to decrease the pain and increase muscle flexibility when you have arthritis. Cold or heat treatments can be combined with any of the exercises prescribed by your physical therapist.
• It decreases blood flow
• It may help decrease swelling
• Use before any activity
• It improves motion
• Will decreases joint ache
You can purchase a gel packs that can be kept either cold in your freezer or heated in a normal microwave.
How do I Remain Consistent When Doing Exercise?
• Look for an exercise class or gym; your doctor can advise you.
• Vary your exercise routine so you do not get bored, and rotate your exercises.
• Seek help from a health professional, such as a physio therapist, to help you in setting up an exercise program for you.
• Exercise at the same time each day if possible so it becomes a habit.
Help Control Pain with Pharmacy Medications
Simple tasks may be hard to do when your joints hurt. Some self-help devices shown below may aid minimize pain, stress, discomfort and may help you in accomplishing some of your daily tasks.
• Long-handled grabbers to help pick things up
• Sock and shoe sliders to aid with getting dressed
• Braces to help support your knees
• Jar openers are very handy
• Large grips for pens, or use those made of rubber, garden tools and any other hand-held objects.
Weight Control and Diet
• Never eat before going to bed
• Take multi-vitamin supplements, calcium and Omega-3
• Eat fruit and veg daily
• If you are overweight, you will make your arthritis worse
Use Medication
A large part of the treatment for arthritis is medication. Many medications and drugs are used for treating arthritis, and they fall into a number of classes and categories.
- BRMs which are Biologic Response Modifiers
- DMARDs which are Disease-Modifying Anti-Rheumatic Drugs
- COX-2 Inhibitors
- NSAIDs known as Non-Steroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drugs
- Other drugs include treatments used for gout, fibromyalgia, and osteoporosis
- Pain medications referred to as Analgesics
- Topical medications such as cream, balms, gels, ointments, lotions
- Corticosteroids. Beware long term use will cause other problems such as Osteoporosis
Arthritis can range from an annoyance to chronic. If you require further advice please visit our Pain and Rheumatoid Arthritis Forum
November 04 2009 07:50 pm | Health and Fitness
