5 Tips For Living With Arthritis
Arthritis is a painful medical condition with no known cure. If you have recently been diagnosed with this condition, you may wonder how you will cope with daily joint stiffness and pain. While you may not be able cure yourself of arthritis, you can make your life easier by making some lifestyle changes. Here are five helpful tips for living with arthritis:
Take Advantage of Adaptive Aids
When you have arthritis, seemingly simple tasks, like cooking and cleaning the bathroom, become extremely difficult. If you have pain in your joints, it will take you a lot longer to do certain duties. That is why it is important to use adaptive aids as much as possible. For example, you can use an electric can opener in the kitchen.
Do not Skimp on Sleep
Sleeping eight hours a night is especially important if you have arthritis. If you do not get enough rest, you can experience even more pain and stiffness in your joints. If you are having trouble getting to sleep, try doing something relaxing beforehand, like receiving a massage or meditating.
Exercise Regularly
Exercise might be the last thing on your mind right now, but it can actually help improve your condition. If you work out regularly, you can improve flexibility and strength in your joints, reducing pain. Aim to do both cardiovascular and strength training workouts. Take things slow and stop what you are doing immediately if you feel pain or discomfort.
Eat Your Omega-3s
What you put in your mouth matters when you have arthritis. Omega-3 fatty acids are especially beneficial because they help decrease inflammation through your entire body. If you include salmon, walnuts, and olive oil in your diet, you can improve your symptoms.
Make Adjustments to Your Home
Making a few necessary changes to your home can make your life a lot easier. Start off by clearing clutter from the floors and removing throw rugs, so you will be less likely to trip and fall. It is also wise to install grab bars in the shower moving kitchen utensils to lower cabinets.
Living with arthritis will not always be easy, but it does not have to be terrible. If you follow these helpful tips, you can improve your symptoms and feel a lot better. If your joints are still too stiff and painful, you should talk to your doctor about taking medication for your arthritis. For more information, go to site.