How to Help Control Arthritis

Friday, October 30th, 2009 at 3:31 am

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.
• Change your daily activities and make use of self-help devices
• 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 rheumatoid 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 help relax your muscles

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?

• Stay in the habit of doing exercises every day.
• Evaluate your progress on a daily chart, over the weeks you and enjoy your success.
• Seek help from a health professional, such as a physio therapist, to help you in setting up an exercise program for you.
• Find an exercise friend, or use an exercise DVD.

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
• Canes, Crutches or Walkers reduce stress across the joints, but do not use these if you have any arthritis in your arms, it may cause impact damage
• Braces to help support your knees
• Wrist and Hand Splints
• Large grips for pens, or use those made of rubber, garden tools and any other hand-held objects.

Weight Control and Diet

• Eat at set times, do not nibble all day
• Take multi-vitamin supplements, calcium and Omega-3
• Eat fruit and veg daily
• Cut down on acidic food stuffs

Use Medication

A large part of the treatment for rheumatoid arthritis is medication. Many medications and drugs are used for treating rheumatoid arthritis, and they fall into a number of classes and categories.

Pain medications referred to as Analgesics
NSAIDs known as Non-Steroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drugs
Other drugs include treatments used for gout, fibromyalgia, and osteoporosis
BRMs which are Biologic Response Modifiers
DMARDs which are Disease-Modifying Anti-Rheumatic Drugs
COX-2 Inhibitors
Corticosteroids. Beware long term use will cause other problems such as Osteoporosis
Topical medications such as cream, balms, gels, ointments, lotions

Arthritis can range from an annoyance to chronic. If you require further advice please visit our Rheumatoid Arthritis Forum

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