While there is no cure for arthritis, there are ways for individuals to treat their condition and lead otherwise healthy lives.
Arthritis is an umbrella term for a number of conditions that impact the joints, which can lead to pain, inflammation and other symptoms, the Arthritis Foundation detailed. Although there are many forms of arthritis - over 100, in fact - the term is widely used to discuss the two most common forms: osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis.
Read on to learn more about this common health problem and some of the best ways to help manage it:
Strategies for managing arthritis
In terms of medical treatment, there are a range of options for arthritis patients, including medication and surgery. Treatments will vary, contingent on the patient and the kind of arthritis he or she is experiencing. Patients may find that just one form of treatment works, while others will need to try multiple approaches. Surgery can be used to insert new joint or help repair damaged ones. This strategy is typically only employed as a last resort. Most commonly patients are prescribed pain killers and anti-inflammatory drugs, many of which can be procured over the counter. There are also medication options for those exclusively experiencing rheumatoid arthritis: Disease-modifying anti-rheumatic drugs, as they are known, work to disrupt the immune system while it attacks joints, relieving symptoms.
In addition to medical treatments, there are a number of strategies that arthritis patients can try in their daily lives to try and manage pain and reduce swelling. They include:
1. Exercise
While this strategy may seem counterintuitive given that arthritis is a disease that impacts the joints, exercise can actually help relieve arthritis pain, Healthline explained. The best forms of exercise for arthritis patients are those that are low-impact - so essentially any water-based activity, such as swimming. Certain forms of high-impact activity, such as running, should be avoided, however, as they can exacerbate symptoms. This is because such exercises put additional stress on joints, increasing the risk of further damage and pain.
2. Weight management
Being overweight or obese can place stress on inflamed and painful joints. As such, an effective strategy for managing arthritis pain is weight management, Everyday Health explained. For those already overweight, making an effort to lose extra pounds will likely result in less severe arthritis symptoms.
As detailed by the Mayo Clinic, acupuncture is an ancient technique used to treat a wide range of conditions, including arthritis symptoms. The process works using needles on the skin, across the body. A number of studies have indicated that the therapy can be effective for relieving pain in some patients.
5. Sleep and rest
Arthritis pain and inflammation increases with fatigue, according to Very Well magazine, so arthritis patients are encouraged to get the recommended amount of sleep each night - around eight hours - and to take regular breaks when pain and inflammation increase.
6. Stress management
According to Everyday Health, feeling stressed on a routine basis can exacerbate arthritis symptoms. Arthritis patients, therefore, are encouraged to find ways to manage daily stress and anxieties, whether that's physical activities such as yoga or meditation or meeting with a therapist. There are also now a number of smartphone apps available designed to make stress management efforts easier.
https://www.sunriseseniorliving.com/blog/april-2017/spotting-chronic-conditions-6-ways-to-manage-arthritis-pain.aspx
No comments:
Post a Comment