How to Simplify Holiday Meals When You Have Inflammatory Arthritis

From creakyjoints.org

Planning and cooking an extravagant menu when you have rheumatoid arthritis (RA), or another chronic illness, can be stressful. To the rescue: A few tips to ease the burden of holiday meals

Holiday meals are about joy and gratitude. Yet they can quickly become stressful when you have to plan, grocery shop, clean — and manage joint pain, fatigue, and other symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis. Here are my best tips for making the most of holiday meals if you have inflammatory arthritis and another type of chronic condition.

Buy the Entire Meal

While not the most cost-effective option, buying a pre-made meal is by far the easiest way to celebrate with a big meal. You simply order, pay, and pick-up or receive the delivery. Some places mail you everything frozen ahead of time and you simply reheat the meal the day needed.  

I have personally done this several times over the years and have deeply appreciated the ease.  

Keep Things Simple

Today’s social media influencers prompt us to want to meet societal pressures each holiday — but your plates don’t need to be Instagram worthy. After all, complex concoctions and expensive ingredients don’t make anything more memorable, and they certainly don’t convey more love than simpler food items.

Recommit to keeping holiday meals simple to budget those spoons. 

                                                                                  Credit: Tatiana Ayazo   

Make Food Ahead of Time

Look for recipes, like casseroles and side dishes, that you can make one or two days before the event, and store them in the refrigerator or freezer. Making things ahead of time can help you save more spoons for the big day itself. If you’re freezing a side dish, use disposable bakeware for the ultimate convenience. My favorite side dish to make ahead of time and freeze is macaroni and cheese. This is not a traditional holiday food, but my children love it. 

I also love using crockpots for holiday meals. They are affordable and convenient. A brand-new crockpot will cost about $20 to $50. Your local charity store may have a few hardly-used crockpots that would be perfect for your holiday meal. Crockpots don’t use oven space and can be plugged in anywhere that has power. This saves valuable kitchen real estate during the holidays. The recipes for crockpots are usually easy to follow and very forgiving for people who are not gifted in the kitchen. Use a disposable liner, and almost no clean-up is necessary. 

Consider Convenience

If you’ve been asked to participate in the festivities by bringing your favorite dish to the event, plan both what you’re bringing and how you can transport it.  

• Use disposable trays and bowls whenever possible to avoid having to track down your favorite salad bowl in the new year. This also doesn’t leave any dishes for either you or the host.  
• Take it easy on your joints. Carrying and transporting food items is already tricky, but even more complicated if you have hand and wrist pain. Food delivery services have revolutionized the bags and coolers available for food transport. Check out the available options through your favorite online store or a quick google search.  
• Consider the weight of the item. A whole cooked turkey is a lot heavier than a green salad that you can assemble there. Lugging heavy items to the event can wear you out before it starts. 

Enjoy Leftovers

Save those spoons and put those leftovers to work. The easiest way to use your leftovers is to simply reheat food or make cold sandwiches. If you’re wanting something more exciting, there are many recipes that turn your leftovers into creamy casseroles, creative skillet meals, and savory soups. Personally I’m a big fan of the turkey pot pie and the turkey soup.  

Make Healthy Food Choices

If you’ve have RA for a while like I have, you’ve probably found some correlation between food and your joint pain. During the holidays, you can say no to foods that tend to cause flares or gastrointestinal woes. You don’t have to eat something just because it’s a family recipe, because it took hours to make, or because you only get to eat it once a year.

If you’re bringing a dish, or hosting the celebration, be sure to prepare something that tastes good and helps you to feel your best.  

Have Fun without the Food

The meal, and the act of eating with others, can put extra pressure on both the hosts and the guests regardless of RA. If you have an open-minded group of family and friends, try something totally different and skip the big meal altogether. Go for a hike, or eat a small meal at a local park. Bring cookies, hot cocoa, or a board game and let loose.  

One year, I met up with several other families at a local park. We took turns riding tandem bikes in the freezing cold. It was so much fun and created the best memories. If you haven’t played a human version of hungry-hungry hippos with laundry baskets and hollow plastic golf balls, give it a try. It’s a great activity for a holiday celebration. Cheers! 

https://creakyjoints.org/about-arthritis/rheumatoid-arthritis/ra-patient-perspectives/how-to-simplify-holiday-meals-when-you-have-arthritis/#

 

Managing arthritis: Heating pads vs ice for sore joints, when to use each; tips to relieve pain

From indiatvnews.com

It is important to work with your healthcare team to find the best strategies for managing your arthritis pain. By implementing a combination of approaches, you can improve your ability to live an active and fulfilling life despite the challenges of arthritis

Managing arthritis: Arthritis is a chronic condition that causes inflammation and pain in the joints. It can be a challenging condition to manage, but there are several strategies that can help to reduce pain and improve quality of life. While many suggest that using heat as well as ice can help relieve pain, they are unaware of when to use either of them. 

                                                                     Image Source : INSTAGRAM/#JOINTAPIN

Heat vs ice for arthritis:

Heat can ease pain and stiffness in joints and muscles when applied properly, a report in IANS states. The cold application, on the other hand, might help to reduce soreness and joint inflammation.

Likewise, when a joint is stiff or hurting, people should apply heat before exercising. And additionally, cold can reduce pain and may be helpful if a joint is irritated, especially if there is swelling post exercise.

Ways to manage arthritis pain

Exercise: Regular physical activity can help to reduce pain and stiffness in the joints, as well as improve overall physical function. It is important to find an exercise program that is safe and suitable for your individual needs and abilities.

Medications: Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) can help to reduce inflammation and pain. Other medications, such as disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs (DMARDs) and biologics, may be prescribed for more severe cases of arthritis. It is important to follow your doctor's recommendations for taking these medications and to report any side effects.

Heat and cold therapy: Applying heat or cold to the affected joints can help to reduce pain and stiffness. Heat therapy, such as using a heating pad or taking a warm bath, can help to relax muscles and improve blood flow. Cold therapy, such as using an ice pack or taking a cold shower, can help to numb pain and reduce swelling.

Massage: Massaging the affected joints can help to improve circulation and reduce muscle tension, which can in turn reduce pain and stiffness. Massage can be done by a professional therapist or by a trained family member or friend.

Assistive devices: Using assistive devices, such as canes, walkers, or handrails, can help to reduce strain on the joints and improve mobility. Orthopaedic shoes or inserts may also be helpful in reducing pressure on the joints.

Acupuncture: Acupuncture is a form of traditional Chinese medicine that involves the insertion of thin needles into specific points on the body. It is believed to help reduce pain and improve overall function in people with arthritis.

It is important to work with your healthcare team to find the best strategies for managing your arthritis pain. By implementing a combination of these approaches, you can improve your ability to live an active and fulfilling life despite the challenges of arthritis.

Disclaimer: The article is for educational and informational purposes only. It does not constitute as medical advice. Please consult a doctor before starting any treatment.

https://www.indiatvnews.com/health/managing-arthritis-heating-pads-vs-ice-for-sore-joints-when-to-use-each-tips-to-relieve-pain-2022-12-17-831948

Dear Doctor: How do I know if I have arthritis?

From oregonlive.com

By Dr. Keith Roach

DEAR DR. ROACH: How do I know if I have arthritis? My left leg makes a slight cracking noise in my knee when I walk down the stairs, but no pain. However, when I go for a long drive, I limp when getting out of the car, which kind of goes away and does not hurt my knee. Long walks also bother me. When I went to a specialist, he said I needed therapy. I went to some sessions, but it did not help! When I told my doctor, he said, “Oh, that’s just arthritis.” (Note: This is the leg that was broken when a drunk driver hit me at age 22. I’m now in my mid-60s.) Also, my family has no history of arthritis. I also don’t know how someone can give me therapy if they don’t know what’s wrong? -- Anon. 

ANSWER: I don’t know for sure whether you have arthritis. Many people in their 60s do have some arthritis, usually osteoarthritis, the most common type. The noises joints make when they bend, especially under pressure, might or might not indicate arthritis. The fact that you are stiff after being immobile in a car for a while does suggest osteoarthritis. Severe injury to a joint can cause osteoarthritis: When we see osteoarthritis in just one joint (the one with a history of trauma), that’s likely the underlying reason. Osteoarthritis does not necessarily run in families.

So, even with the diagnosis being fairly likely, I personally get an X-ray done at least once on my patients who I think have osteoarthritis. There are many less-common conditions that can mimic osteoarthritis, which may have different treatments. Joint diseases due to deposition of crystals into the joint, like gout and especially pseudogout, can sometimes look like ordinary osteoarthritis, even though they usually have distinct flares. A chunk of cartilage that hardens in the joint can look like osteoarthritis. Psoriasis has a particular arthritis, normally in smaller joints, that can be mistaken for osteoarthritis. This is very dangerous because, like rheumatoid arthritis, psoriatic arthritis can be very destructive to a joint. I do think it makes sense to know what exactly you are treating before treating it, and X-rays are very, very good at making the diagnosis.

Exercise and physical therapy are first-line treatments for osteoarthritis, but may take a while to start working. Many medications are also used.

https://www.oregonlive.com/health/2022/12/dear-doctor-how-do-i-know-if-i-have-arthritis.html

Joint Pain or Arthritis? How to Tell the Difference

From blackdoctor.org

More than 92 million people in the United States suffer from joint pain in the form of arthritis, with symptoms ranging from moderate to severe. 

While arthritis is by far the most common cause of joint discomfort, it is not the only one.

To help you grasp the situation, here’s a look at the difference between arthritis and joint pain.

Arthritis Signs and Symptoms

Chronic joint discomfort (pain that lasts for weeks or months) may indicate arthritis or joint damage. There are over 100 distinct varieties of arthritis, the most prevalent of which is osteoarthritis, which occurs as a result of joint wear and tear over time.

Another frequent type of arthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, produces joint damage and degeneration over time, but it is caused by an autoimmune illness in which the immune system erroneously targets the joints.

The following are some of the indications and symptoms of arthritis-related joint pain:

• Swelling
• Stiffness
• Range of motion is restricted or reduced

Differentiating Between Joint Discomfort and Arthritis

It’s critical to remember that joint discomfort and arthritis are frequently linked.

Arthritis technically refers to any ailment that produces inflammation and discomfort in your joints. In truth, the discomfort is frequently caused by the characteristic inflammation of arthritis.

You may have an achy or painful joint without inflammation if you have joint discomfort. This frequently precedes arthritis and is a symptom of a developing condition that will result in inflammation.

Acute joint pain appears quickly and is typically unrelated to an existing ailment or joint injury. Other than arthritis, some of the probable reasons for acute joint pain include the following:

• Bursitis
• Sprains and strains
• Gout
• Traumatic inflammation
• Overuse

Acute joint pain is generally treated with rest, ice, medication, and, if necessary, physical therapy, depending on the underlying cause and severity. Depending on the etiology, acute joint pain generally resolves within a few weeks with self-care and conservative therapy.

Arthritis Has Many Faces

Making matters even more difficult, there are over 100 distinct forms of arthritis. 

To make things easier, we’ve divided arthritis-related diseases into four categories:

Degenerative Arthritis

This type of arthritis develops when the soft tissues within your joints begin to deteriorate. Osteoarthritis, a disorder in which the cartilage within your joint wears away, is the most prevalent kind of degenerative arthritis.

Inflammatory Arthritis

This form of arthritis is caused by a malfunctioning immune system, which causes inflammation within your joints. Rheumatoid and psoriatic arthritis are the most frequent types of this type of arthritis.

Arthritis Caused by Bacteria

These forms of arthritis, as the name indicates, are caused by an infection in your body, which causes inflammation and discomfort in your joints.

Metabolic Arthritis

As with gout, the most prevalent form of metabolic arthritis, this kind of arthritis is caused by a problem with your metabolic system.

Joint Discomfort That Is Not Caused By Arthritis

While the majority of joint pain is caused by one of the various types of arthritis, it can also be caused by:

• Injury (dislocations, fractures, soft-tissue rips) (dislocations, fractures, soft-tissue tears)
• Cancer of the bones
• Fibromyalgia

Again, many of these illnesses cause joint pain and inflammation, but they are not the same as arthritis.

Taking Care of Your Joint Pain

Whatever the cause of your joint discomfort, there are ways to find relief. Depending on the nature of your condition, there are a variety of therapy alternatives, which include:

• Acupuncture
• Injections of cortisol
• Injections into the facet joints
• Therapy with stem cells
• Injections of the bursa
• Injections into the sacroiliac joint
• Blocks of peripheral nerves
• Nerve stimulation in the periphery
• Ablation using radiofrequency
• Bracing at the joints
• Viscosupplementation
• PRP (platelet-rich plasma) treatment

Understand Your Risk Factors

Anyone can get arthritis, although certain people are predisposed to it owing to variables such as age, family history, past joint damage or injury, or underlying health issues such as obesity.

It might be difficult to determine if your joint discomfort is caused by inflammation or arthritis. The Arthritis Foundation suggests that you keep note of your symptoms, including if the pain and stiffness worsen at certain times of day, after physical activity or rest, and the length of your symptoms.

If your symptoms persist for more than a few weeks or worsen, or you develop additional symptoms such as a fever or rash, get medical assistance as soon as possible.

https://blackdoctor.org/joint-pain-or-arthritis-how-to-tell-the-difference/

Psoriatic Arthritis: How To Recognize It?

From emergency-live.com 

It can sometimes be difficult to distinguish psoriatic arthritis from other conditions since the occurrence of joint pain is a common symptom of many rheumatologic conditions.

Here’s how to recognize it.

What is psoriatic arthritis

Psoriatic arthritis is a chronic autoimmune inflammatory disease that affects the joints of people with psoriasis (usually 3 out of 10 people).

The immune system of these people views the normal components of the joint as a threat by triggering an inflammatory process directed primarily against the synovial membrane, connective tissue, and bone.

This inflammatory mechanism can severely damage the joint, going so far as to impair the function of the affected joint, especially if left untreated.

Psoriatic arthritis: the symptoms

Psoriatic arthritis can appear rather insidiously with nuanced symptomatology common to many other rheumatic diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis or gout.

Typically, it manifests as pain, swelling, redness, and heat in the joints especially of the hands, feet, knees, and ankles but inflammation can also affect the neck, shoulders, wrists, and hips.

In addition to affecting tendons, ligaments, synovial bursa, and joint nails, psoriatic arthritis may be accompanied by feelings of fatigue, exhaustion, and prolonged morning stiffness.

Why does psoriatic arthritis appear?

The causes are still not entirely clear.

Like psoriasis, psoriatic arthritis is multifactorial, due to a combination of:

• hereditary (genetic) factors that predispose to the disease
• environmental factors (emotional stress, infections) that can trigger it.

Thus, in a genetically predisposed person, certain environmental factors such as physical trauma, severe emotional stress, taking certain medications, or infection can trigger the disease.

In particular, streptococcal and staphylococcal bacterial infections and HIV infection appear to play a significant role in psoriatic arthritis.

How is the diagnosis made?

There are no specific tests to recognize psoriatic arthritis.

The diagnosis arises from a set of elements that the physician must evaluate, first and foremost the patient’s medical history, followed by observation of symptoms.

Because of this, each person will have symptoms that can vary greatly from others and therefore require individualized advice to better manage the disease over time.

https://www.emergency-live.com/health-and-safety/psoriatic-arthritis-how-to-recognize-it/ 

Rheumatoid Arthritis: ‘Tis The Season to Set Boundaries

From creakyjoints.org

When it comes to celebrating this holiday season, setting boundaries is a must for people living with chronic disease

Boundaries are not negative or selfish. Keeping yourself at optimal health allows you to spread more joy and enjoy yourself in the process. When you’re at your best, you can care for others better, too. Just like on an airplane, you put on your mask first, then help others. This is the only way. 

Here are my best tips for maintaining healthy boundaries with rheumatoid arthritis this holiday season — try a few and see what works for you. 

Don’t “Should” Yourself

Whatever social norms, societal pressures, or expectations you may be feeling, remember it’s still your holiday. It’s likely that it’s you (and only you) saying the “shoulds”:   

• I should have invited the neighbours over. 
• I should have baked 12 dozen cookies. 
• I should lose weight. 
• I should have decorated my home in a different way.  

Reframe Your Thoughts

Try to reframe your thoughts to show kindness and love to yourself and others. In other words, leave out the “shoulds.”  

• I am doing the best I can. 
• We are going to make special memories no matter how we celebrate. 
• I’m looking forward to less cooking, cleaning, entertaining, etc. 
• I need rest to optimize X event next week. 
• It’s my holiday, too. I am entitled to my definition of fun and rest. 

Plan for Flares

You know the stress, added responsibilities, and extra social commitments are going to push your body to the limits, so prepare for flares this holiday season instead of simply reacting to them. A little prep will help protect your invaluable rest time so you can better budget those spoons. 

Your flare kit might include:  

• Medications 
• Heating pads 
• Gloves 
• Topical creams  
• Deep breathing exercises 

Set Realistic Goals

Balancing relationships, household responsibilities, jobs and/or school while managing a chronic illness is remarkable in itself. I don’t see any reason to make magic happen around the holidays just because songs from 50 years ago say you should. Instead, this year, make your goals sound less whimsical and more like everyday tasks.  

Keep Things Simple

It’s no secret that women feel more stress around the holidays when compared to their male counterparts. Having RA can further complicate assumed gender roles, too. Remember that it’s your holiday and you can make your own traditions. You can enjoy the holidays in your own way and also feel accomplished after checking off your boxes. 

• Simple plans 
• Simple recipes 
• Simple to-do lists 

Set a Budget — and Stick to It

Boundaries around the holidays don’t only apply to emotions. Overspending on the holidays will only leave you with guilt, shame, and debt in the new year. Inflation causes enough stress, don’t further compound it by overspending. There are many ways to show love this holiday season. Value is not always defined by monetary worth. Money-saving tip: Use your electronic cart to your advantage. Add things to your cart on the store’s website, and leave it there for 24 hours. When you come back, you can re-evaluate if you want or need the items. Also, some stores will send you a discount code when they see something sitting in your cart for a while. 

Enlist Helpers

Holiday responsibilities can be shared among all adults and children. Try having a potluck, enlisting helpers to peel potatoes, or even going out to eat. If it’s in your budget, there is no shame in hiring professional cleaning services to help with the before and after, too. 

Take Control of Your Emotions

The holidays can be full of a variety of emotions. You may feel overwhelming joy or grief over a loved one, or even your former self causing you to feel more anxiety than usual. Regardless of what you’re feeling, take a deep breath and visualize your feelings as vibrations in your body. They are scientifically this — simply a communication via our complex nervous system, which overly simplified, is a vibration.  

Do not give the vibrations your power, and do not let them control you. Also, remember that you are not solely responsible for anyone else’s happiness, only your own. Don’t take on that impossible responsibility.

https://creakyjoints.org/about-arthritis/rheumatoid-arthritis/ra-patient-perspectives/set-holiday-boundaries/

Can The Keto Diet Help Ease Joint Pain?

From healthdigest.com

The human skeletal system is made up of several joints – 250 to 350 in total — that connect different parts of the body and keep them moving (via Healthline). However, these joints are susceptible to wear and tear, sometimes leading to painful joint conditions (per Medline Plus). According to Cleveland Clinic, chronic joint pains are most commonly associated with osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, gout, tendinitis, infections, and injury and overuse.

Besides certain conditions, other risk factors may make some people more likely to experience joint pain, such as being overweight. A healthy diet can play an important role in reaching and maintaining a moderate weight, resulting in less strain on tired joints.

A keto diet might appear at first glance to fit the criteria for a joint-friendly meal plan. There's evidence that keto is an effective way to lose weight, without requiring dieters to count calories (per Healthline). But its effect on joint pain isn't so straightforward.

What you eat matters for joint pain

The keto diet is an eating plan that encourages ketosis, a state where the body burns fat instead of sugar or carbohydrates for energy. To achieve this state, dieters limit their consumption of carbohydrates and increase their consumption of fatty foods.

One 2020 study published in Pain Medicine found that a low-carb diet relieves knee osteoarthritis pain in older adults. While keto is considered a low-carb diet, however, it may not be the right choice for easing joint pain.

WebMD weighed in on the benefits of going keto for rheumatoid arthritis and concluded that the diet's high intake of fat and processed meat may promote inflammation, making arthritis pain worse. Dr. Lona Sandon, an associate professor in the department of clinical nutrition at UT Southwestern, agreed, telling Everyday Health, "[Keto is] not a good choice for people with systemic inflammatory conditions, because it completely goes against the science we know that prevents inflammation in the body."

Besides being heavy in inflammatory red meats and fatty foods, the keto diet is also low in anti-inflammatory fruits and vegetables. Cleveland Clinic suggests replacing the keto diet with the Mediterranean diet or another diet loaded with vegetables, herbs and spices, and omega-3 fatty acids to support painful joints.

https://www.healthdigest.com/956145/signs-your-diet-is-doing-more-harm-than-good/

Addressing Arthritis: Types, Symptoms, and Treatment

From bignewsnetwork.com

Arthritis is a broad term used to describe more than 100 conditions affecting your joints, tissues connecting and surrounding it. The joint is where two of your bones meet, like your knees, wrist, hips, knuckles, and ankles. When you have arthritis, you feel inflammation in your joints which causes pain and discomfort.

What Are the Types of Arthritis?

These are the most common types of arthritis:

• Osteoarthritis

A degenerative joint disease, commonly known as 'wear and tear' arthritis, affects the protective cartilage of your bones. It usually happens with growing age; however, it can also be due to obesity and other joint-related injuries. The most common body parts that suffer from this are the spine, feet, hips, knees, etc.

Osteoarthritis is the reason behind swelling, pain, and stiffness in the body. In some major cases, some people suffer reduced functionality and inability to perform daily tasks.

• Ankylosing Spondylitis

Due to ankylosing spondylitis, the bones in the spine become less flexible, resulting in a hunching position.

This condition is seen more in men compared to women. The signs may include stiffness and pain in the hips and lower back during the morning or hours of inactivity. Fatigue and neck pain are common. The symptoms may worsen, get better, or occur at regular intervals.

• Gout

An inflammatory form of arthritis, gout affects one or more joints - most commonly your big toe. You experience severe pain, redness, swelling, and tenderness when you suffer from this condition.

Once the pain kicks in, it prolongs for four to twelve hours. Even after it subsides, some discomfort may last for a few days or weeks. As gout increases with time, you suffer from a limited range of motion and won't be able to move your joints normally.

• Psoriatic Arthritis

Psoriatic arthritis mostly affects people who have psoriasis. Psoriasis is a skin disease that causes red patches with silvery scales on the patient's skin. For some people, psoriatic arthritis occurs years after developing psoriasis, and for some, the joint problem appears before skin patches can be seen.

Symptoms of this condition include joint stiffness, pain, and swelling. It can affect your spine and fingertips, and the pain can range from mild to severe.

• Rheumatoid Arthritis

Rheumatoid arthritis is a chronic inflammatory autoimmune disease that affects your joints and damages your body, including the heart, skin, lungs, and blood vessels.

Your immune system accidentally attacks your healthy body cells, which causes painful swelling and inflammation, most commonly on the knees, wrists, and hands. The damage can cause instability, chronic pain, and deformity.

How to Diagnose Arthritis?

If you have been noticing symptoms of arthritis, you should see a doctor. Usually, they will diagnose arthritis through your medical history, X-rays, physical examination, and blood tests. The healthcare professional will check your joints for warmth, redness, and swelling.

The most common procedures followed to assess arthritis are:

• Laboratory Tests

During laboratory tests, your body fluids like blood, joint fluid, and urine are analysed to point out what type of arthritis you have. To get the samples, the lab professional will numb the area before inserting a needle.

• Imaging

Imaging includes tests that uncover the reason behind your symptoms. It includes:

• Computerized Tomography (CT): CT scans from different angles take views of your internal structures to visualize the bone and its surrounding tissues.
• Ultrasound: With the help of high-frequency sound waves, your soft tissues, fluid-containing structures, and cartilage around joints are imaged. It's also used to guide needles to remove fluid and inject medications.
• X-Ray: X-rays can catch bone damage, spurs, or cartilage loss. You may not detect early arthritis with this method, but you can use them to track the progression of your ongoing condition.
• Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI): This method combines magnetic field with radio waves to produce images of ligaments, tendons, and cartilage.

How to Treat Arthritis?

Treating arthritis focus on relieving pain and improving the functionality of your joints. The following are the ways to treat arthritis.

• Medications

The medication depend on the type of arthritis you have. Usually, pain-relieving and anti-inflammatory medicines are prescribed. Rheumatoid and psoriatic arthritis can be controlled with biologics that target your immune system's inflammatory response.

• Therapy

Physical therapy is great for improving strength, mobility, and motion. Moreover, physical therapists can even help you live a life and adjust your daily activities to decrease arthritic pain.

Apart from therapy, in some cases, people who suffer from excruciating pain in their hands have felt relief after using copper compression gloves. They help you manage your arthritis symptoms.

• Manage Weight

Losing and maintaining weight is extremely important for arthritis patients. People who are obese need to take extreme care and lose weight to reduce stress on their joints, particularly the knees and hips.

• Surgery

If any of the above methods do not help you upright, there's always the last resort of performing surgeries like:

• Joint Replacement: In this procedure, damaged joints are removed and replaced with new ones. This surgery is mostly performed on the knees and hips.
• Joint Repair: In some arthritis cases, the surface of your joints can be realigned or smoothened through small incisions to improve functionality and reduce pain.
• Joint Fusion: Here, the ends of two bone joints are removed and locked till they are healed and formed into one. Mostly smaller joints like fingers, ankles, and wrists are treated with this surgery.

When to Visit a Doctor?

Your joints can get swollen or sore for many reasons. Sometimes it's due to a small injury or performing an unfamiliar physical activity. There's no need to worry and rush to the doctor every now and then.

However, if the stiffness and pain persist for long, causing warmth, redness, and swelling with no clear reasoning, it's important to consult a doctor and get the treatment started.

Final Thoughts

The quality of life is majorly affected for people suffering from arthritis. If left untreated, arthritis can be a reason behind immobility and life-long inconvenience, which can lead to problems in sleeping peacefully, fatigue, anxiety, and depression.

Moreover, the physical pain caused by arthritis can hinder your daily physical activities, making you socially isolated, lose independence, and reduce body functionality. Hence, it's extremely necessary to get diagnosed early if you're suffering from signs and start your treatment for recovery!

https://www.bignewsnetwork.com/news/273189632/addressing-arthritis-types-symptoms-and-treatment