As we age, our body is not going to be the same and we may suffer from conditions that may result to disabilities. Arthritis is a common problem of elderly people but it can also occur on young adults and even children. The joints and the tissues surrounding them degenerate as we grow older that is why arthritis is common to older people. Millions of people are suffering from arthritis and the disabilities that come with it and if you are one of those people, it is good to know that there is something you can do about it. You can improve your condition and cope with arthritis if you know how to handle arthritis. The following tips can be very helpful in coping with arthritis.
Get the right diagnosis. If you are suffering from pain, swelling and stiffness in and around your joints you might be suffering from arthritis but it is important to get the right diagnosis because there are different types of arthritis and treatments depend on the type of arthritis you have. You need to know the specific type of arthritis you have to be able to handle arthritis the correct way. Arthritis can result to joint and cartilage damage or disability so it is important to consult your doctor or get medical intervention as early as possible to avoid the condition from getting worse.
Know the facts about arthritis. As we grow older we may suffer from degenerative diseases like arthritis. People have to face the fact that as we grow older our body will degenerate and arthritis is a possibility. If you already have arthritis, you have to face it and know the facts to properly handle arthritis. As the saying goes, knowledge is power. Reading materials about arthritis can be very helpful and of course, your doctor can explain to you everything about arthritis, so do not hesitate to ask.
Take care of your joints. To handle arthritis you have to avoid putting more stress on your joints. If you need to use self-help devices specifically made for people with arthritis to protect your joints while doing tasks at home, in the office and outdoors, do not hesitate to use one. To properly handle arthritis, you need to take care and protect your joints to avoid further damage and disabilities.
Keep an active life. Keeping a sedentary life is not good for people with arthritis so one of the best ways to handle arthritis is to be physically active. Stay physically active to improve blood circulation, lessen arthritis pain and increase your range of motion. Your doctor or physical therapist can help you with the appropriate exercises and physical activities suitable for your condition to avoid injuries. Different exercises will be recommended by your health provider to increase your range of motion, improve endurance and strengthen your joints. Whatever exercise program you need, one of the best ways to handle arthritis is to keep an active life.
Use the power of music. People with arthritis may not only suffer from physical pain but also from depression, one good way to uplift your mood and somehow forget the pain is by listening to good music. Feeding your mind with beautiful thoughts while listening to your favorite music can reduce arthritis pain. To effectively handle arthritis, you have to learn how to divert your thoughts to something else to avoid feeling depressed and to cope with arthritis pain.
Lose weight. It is not good if you are on the heavy side and you have arthritis. Too much weight can add stress to your joints and can worsen your condition. It is easier to handle arthritis if you are not overweight. Losing weight is not only good for your arthritis but it is also good for your overall health. Avoid fattening foods and eat a well-balanced diet to maintain a healthy weight.
Meet your calcium needs. Do not neglect your daily calcium needs because your bones need calcium to stay healthy. Adults younger that 50 yrs old need a daily calcium of 1,000 mg and those older than 50 need 1,200 mg. It is a must for adults to meet their daily calcium needs to avoid bone problems especially if you have arthritis. You can get your calcium from drinking milk or from consuming milk products like cheese and yogurt. You can also get your calcium from fruits and vegetables. Calcium supplements can be very helpful but ask your doctor first before taking calcium vitamins because your bones may not absorb too much calcium and this may increase your risk of developing kidney stones.
Wear comfortable shoes. If you want to properly handle arthritis, you have to wear comfortable shoes. You do not need those fashionable but uncomfortable shoes now. Of course you can still look good on comfortable shoes so you do not have to worry about your looks. Well fitted comfortable shoes are good for your feet and will protect your joints preventing your arthritis from getting worse. To handle arthritis effectively, you have to treat your feet nicely by wearing comfortable shoes.
It can be really hard to live with arthritis but there are ways to easily cope with arthritis and improve the quality of your life. If you have tried almost everything and still suffering from painful arthritis, natural treatments are another option for people who want to treat their arthritis naturally. To know how, visit Cure Painful Arthritis
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About the Author
Gerry Restrivera writes informative articles on various subjects including Know How to Handle Arthritis and Improve the Quality of Your Life. You are allowed to publish this article in its entirety provided that author's name, bio and website links must remain intact and included with every reproduction.
