Arthritis is a painful condition and it is not easy to live with it as it can make the lives of both the patient and the caretakers disconcerting and disruptive. This is because patients find it highly difficult to even perform their daily tasks due to the stiffness and chronic pain.
Clearing a Common Misconception
Many people believe that arthritis is a single disease that causes joint pain. In fact, arthritis is both a disease that can be of as many as 100 different types, and an umbrella term used for a variety of other joint diseases that also cause severe joint pain.
Although arthritis is mainly associated with old age, it can also affect children. According to Arthritis Foundation, about 300,000 children suffer from some form of arthritis. The condition is more likely to affect women than men.
How to Make Life Easier For Arthritis Patients?
Arthritis, the leading cause of disability in the US, not only causes extreme pain and makes performing regular tasks highly difficult, but also poses emotional challenges. This is why the American College of Rheumatology recommends non-drug treatments and lifestyle changes in addition to the medications.
Following are some tips for making life easier for people suffering from any kind of arthritis:
Get Moving
A lot of people when diagnosed with arthritis stop exercising, which is wrong. Exercise helps to keep your muscles strong and your joints moving. However, you shouldn’t put too much pressure and avoid doing very hard exercises. It is extremely important to consult your doctor to know about the exercises that keep your joints and muscles healthy and moving.
Also, do not hold a position for a long time, whether you are standing, sitting or lying on your bed. Try to get up and do little stretching after every 15 minutes.
Plan Your Life
Rather than going into depression when diagnosed with arthritis, the smart approach is to plan your life accordingly. Make choices that do not require much activity and rigorous work. For example, use various tools especially designed to aid arthritis patients, buy clothes that can be worn without ironing, keep items that you frequently use within easy reach, and make modifications in your house by installing various adaptive aids.
Take Care of Your Diet
Food items that contain high amounts of antioxidants help in reducing inflammation, managing pain and enhancing energy levels. Foods that are rich in antioxidants are called anti-inflammatory foods include:
- Nuts and seeds
- Salmon
- Berries, especially blueberries
- Dark chocolate
- Various supplements, such as that of fish oil and turmeric, also help in reducing the joint stiffness. However, always consult your doctor before taking any medicine or supplement.