Cardiovascular Disease And Exercise
A goal for any RA treatment regime should be to reduce cardiovascular comorbidity, in line with the overall aim of prolonging and improving quality of life. The benefits of physical activity, exercise training, and cardiorespiratory fitness in primary and secondary cardiovascular disease prevention are well established . Low aerobic fitness is strongly associated with all-cause and cardiovascular disease mortality in apparently healthy men and women, those with comorbid conditions and those with known coronary artery disease .
In general, patients with RA are less physically active and have aerobic capacities, the measure of cardiorespiratory fitness, 20 to 30% lower than age-matched healthy controls . Furthermore, in a cross-sectional study of 65 RA patients , Metsios et al. observed that physically inactive RA patients had a significantly worse cardiovascular risk factor profile when compared with physically active RA patients.
Summary of CV Health and RA â
RA patients have an increased CV risk factor profile RA patients have been shown to be less active and have poor aerobic fitness the relationships between physical activity, aerobic fitness, and CV risk in RA patients requires more research reducing CV risk through exercise could have an enormous impact in patients with RA.
How Does Exercise Help
It can be hard to keep moving when you have arthritis but staying as active as possible can reduce your pain and the symptoms of your condition, and help you to stay independent.
As well as reducing your pain, exercise can:
- improve your muscle strength which keeps your joints strong and well-supported
- reduce stiffness in your joints
- help your balance
- improve energy levels and feelings of tiredness
- help you manage your weight
- boost your mood.
What Exercises Are Good For Knee Arthritis
When you have knee arthritis, the simplest daily tasks can seem impossible. Activities that you once loved to become too painful to enjoy, and you feel as though you are missing out on life.
While you might believe that medication is the only remedy, daily exercise can lessen and even relieve the pain and swelling in your knee due to arthritis. Here at Coastal Orthopedics, we know that you have better things to do with your life than worry about pain in your knee caused by arthritis. Here are just a few simple exercises that will help keep you pain free.
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Manage Your Pain With Coastal Orthopedics
Theres no need to live with pain its time for you to get on the path to recovery. If youre experiencing pain related to arthritis that doesnt subside with ice and rest, please contact us at . Coastal Orthopedics is ready to schedule an appointment at your convenience or send you information for you to make an informed choice.
How Much Activity Do I Need
Adults with arthritis should aim for at least 150 minutes a week of moderate-intensity activity such as brisk walking or 75 minutes a week of vigorous-intensity aerobic activity, like cycling at 10 mph or faster, or an equivalent combination. You should also aim for at least 2 days a week of activities that strengthen muscles and include activities to improve balance such as standing on one foot. If you cannot do 150 minutes a week, stay as active as your health allows. Change your activity level depending on your arthritis symptoms. Some physical activity is better than none.
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Starting A Water Exercise Program
Venues that may run warm water exercise classes include:
- recreation centres
- retirement villages.
Things you can do before you choose a class include:
- Talk with your doctor, physiotherapist or exercise physiologist about the class and whether its right for you.
- Contact the various fitness and recreation centres in your local area to find out what sort of warm water classes are on offer. Ask them about the qualifications of the person running the classes.
- Check out the venue to see if its suitable for you. For example, is the pool easy to access? Are the change rooms accessible and comfortable? Is the venue close enough for you to go to regularly?
- Before choosing a class, make sure its appropriate to your level of fitness and ability.
- If you like, watch a class or two from the sidelines before joining.
Another option is to use the pool facilities and a water exercise program that has been designed for you by a physiotherapist or exercise physiologist and exercise on your own. You could do this instead of, or as well as, joining a class.
There are many different options available so that you can exercise in water and get the associated health benefits.
Find A Community That Understands
Theres no reason to go through a psoriatic arthritis diagnosis or long-term journey alone. With the free PsA Healthline community, you can join a group and participate in live discussions, get matched with community members for a chance to make new friends, and stay up to date on the latest Psa news and research.
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Exercise Adaptations For People With Arthritis
The ACSM has outlined several modifications for exercise for persons with arthritis.
- Begin slowly and progress gradually. The hallmark of a safe exercise program is gradual progression in exercise intensity, complexity of movements, and duration. Often patients with arthritis have lower levels of fitness due to pain, stiffness or biomechanical abnormalities. Too much exercise during a flare may result in increased pain, inflammation and damage to the joint. Thus, beginning with a few minutes of activity, and alternating activity with rest should be the initial goals.
- Avoid rapid or repetitive movements of affected joints. Special emphasis should be placed on joint protection strategies and avoidance of activities that require rapid repetitions of a movement or those that are highly percussive in nature. Because faster walking speeds increase joint stress, walking speed should be matched to biomechanical status. Special attention must be paid to joints that are malaligned or unstable. Control of pronation and shock absorption through shoe selection or use of orthotics may be indicated.
- Adapt physical activity to the needs of the individual. Affected joints may be unstable and restricted in range of motion by pain, stiffness, swelling, bone changes or fibrosis. These joints are at higher risk for injury and care must be taken to ensure that appropriate joint protection measures are in place.
Sometimes Rest Is Appropriate
Despite the importance of staying active, there are times when it’s best to rest. This is the case if the activity you’re doing is causing painnot the “good” pain of muscles that have had a healthy workout, but “bad” pain that is specifically and acutely hurting an arthritic joint.
If you are experiencing an arthritis flare-up, it can be helpful to take a break for a day or two while you focus on reducing pain and inflammation. In the meantime, focus on rest, ice or heat therapy, and anti-inflammatory pain medications. But after youre feeling better, you should get up and get moving again.
See Water Therapy for Osteoarthritis
You can also ease joint pain by using a warm compress on the joint for 10 minutes before you start exercising, and then applying ice for 10 minutes after. The goal is to “work around” your arthritis pain in order to remain active without making your symptoms worse.
See When and Why to Apply Heat to an Arthritic Joint
If you’re not sure what exercise options are best for you, talk to your doctor. A physical therapist can also help you find stretches and exercises that you can do at home to stay active and strengthen your joints without injuring them.
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Use Hot And Cold Therapy
Heat and cold treatments can help relieve arthritis pain and inflammation.
- Heat treatments can include taking a long, warm shower or bath in the morning to help ease stiffness and using an electric blanket or moist heating pad to reduce discomfort overnight.
- Cold treatments can help relieve joint pain, swelling, and inflammation. Wrap a gel ice pack or a bag of frozen vegetables in a towel and apply it to painful joints for quick relief. Never apply ice directly to the skin.
- Capsaicin, which comes from chili peppers, is a component of some topical ointments and creams that you can buy over the counter. These products provide warmth that can soothe joint pain.
How Exercise Helps Arthritis Pain
Arthritis pain naturally causes most adults to slow down and limit activity. Not exercising, however, can result in more problems. Recent research shows that over time inactivity actually worsens osteoarthritis pain, and puts adults at greater risk for eventual total loss of mobility.
Because exercise is painful for so many adults with arthritis, it may be hard to understand how exercise helps to relieve pain. Here’s how it helps:
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What Are Joint Health Supplements
When combined with other interventions, high quality joint health supplements may ease joint pain and stiffness. Joint health supplements are dietary supplements that contain ingredients that either support healthy cartilage and joint fluid, or ease inflammation. There are hundreds available on the market, and they come in a variety of forms, including tablets and capsules.
When choosing supplements, it’s important to look for products that contain clinically researched ingredients. An example is green-lipped mussel extract, derived from shellfish found in New Zealand. Multiple studies have shown that the extract might be effective at reducing tenderness, stiffness and pain associated with osteoarthritis of the knee and other conditions.
Another extract is Boswellia serrata, also known as Indian frankincense. This is an extract that comes from a tree of the same name and has been used as a natural remedy in Asia and Africa for centuries. Research indicates that Boswellia may stop the body from producing inflammation triggers called leukotrienes. In clinical studies, the herb has been found to reduce joint pain and stiffness caused by both osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis.
Before taking any new supplement, consult your medical provider. They can help you decide if a product is safe for you based on your medical history.
Heat And Cold Therapy
Heat and cold therapy can alleviate pain in arthritic hands.
When using a heat pad, apply the heat two to three times per day for 2030 minutes. Paraffin wax provides moist heat, which can also be effective in reducing pain.
When using a cold pack, hold it against the hand for 1020 minutes at a time, with a towel or pillowcase between the skin and the cold pack.
In severe cases of arthritis, particularly in the fingers, a doctor may
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How To Treat Arthritis Pain
Arthritis is a medical condition that causes joint inflammation. Pain and stiffness in the joint are two of the main symptoms of this condition. Arthritis can also cause swelling and a decreased range of motion. This condition can have a negative impact on a persons quality of life, but the good news is that there are a number of treatments available. Below are some of the ways that arthritis can be treated:
Medication Mild arthritis pain can usually be managed with over-the-counter medications, such as Tylenol. Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs can also be used to manage the pain. There are both prescription and over-the-counter anti-inflammatory drugs. Naproxen and Motrin are examples of these medications. Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs do not come without the risks of side effects. Serious side effects include stomach irritation and increased heart attack risk.
Corticosteroids are another type of medication that can be used to treat arthritis. This class of drugs contains both cortisone and prednisone. Corticosteroids can be taken orally, or they can be injected directly into the affected joint.
Physical Therapy Physical therapy has been shown to be very effective for treating arthritis. A physical therapist can teach the patient how to perform exercises that improve range of motion. Physical therapy also helps strengthen the muscles that surround the joint.
Here Are 5 Things To Avoid Doing If You Have Arthritis:
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You Can Reduce Arthritis Pain With These 5 Exercises
Arthritis is not for sissies. It hurts when you move, but it hurts more when you dont move. Finding that balance is key to reducing arthritis pain. When its painful to grasp your cup of coffee or amble down a flight of stairs, the last thing on your mind is exercising. Joint pain, fatigue, and reduced range of motion are just some of the symptoms of arthritis that can make exercise seem difficult, painful, and counterproductive for your condition.
However, according to Dr. Craig Erekson, Orthopedic Surgeon at OSMC, a regular exercise routine is one of the healthiest ways to reduce arthritis symptoms. Exercise will increase both muscle and bone strength, naturally reducing joint pain, Dr. Erekson explains. On the other hand, he notes, a lack of physical activity can weaken the muscles supporting your joints, causing increased pain, stiffness, and stress to your joints.
Fortunately, exercise offers countless benefits for arthritis, including improved balance, flexibility, endurance and energy.
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Staying Physically Active: Alzheimer’s Disease And Related Dementias
Researchers are assessing the benefit of exercise to delay mild cognitive impairment in older adults and to improve brain function in older adults who may be at risk for developing Alzheimers disease. Older adults with MCI may be able to safely do more vigorous forms of exercise, similar to older adults without MCI, provided there are no other underlying health concerns.
Being active and getting exercise may help people with Alzheimers or another dementia feel better and can help them maintain a healthy weight and have regular toilet and sleep habits. If you are a caregiver, you can exercise together to make it more fun.
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Why Exercise Is Vital To Ease Arthritis Pain & Stiffness
Exercise is one of the most important parts of treatment plans for patients with arthritis. Exercise helps strengthen muscles and joints, increase energy and reduce discomfort. Although people living with arthritis can feel that exercising is outside of their capabilities, starting out with an easy exercise regimen can help you build strength and flexibility to reduce pain and continue doing the things you love.
But how exactly does exercise help improve joint mobility and ease pain for arthritis patients? If youre searching for a joint pain clinic near me for arthritis treatment, read on to find out why exercise is so important for your joints!
Why An Active Lifestyle Is Important
An active lifestyle is important at any age but is especially vital for older adults. Regular exercise can lower the risk for heart attack, stroke, hypertension, and diabetes, and even reduce symptoms of stress, anxiety, and depression.
It may seem counterintuitive, but exercise is also beneficial for stiff, aching joints. When you exercise regularly, you can build strength in the muscles that support the joints, and over time, this may actually reduce joint pain.
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Physical Activity Helps Arthritis Pain
Learn how physical activity can ease arthritis pain over time.
Nearly a third of adults with arthritis are not physically active. Learn how physical activity can help ease severe joint pain.
About 15 million US adults with arthritis report having severe joint pain, that is, pain rated at a 7 or higher on a scale of 0 to 10 . Joint pain can interfere with daily activities such as:
- Gripping and carrying grocery bags.
- Holding a mug to drink coffee and tea.
- Walking to the car or mailbox.
- Climbing a short flight of stairs.
- Getting dressed, for example, buttoning and zipping clothes.
- Grooming, for example, brushing and styling hair, shaving, or trimming nails.
- Cleaning and housework, for example, dusting, sweeping, or vacuuming.
Nearly a third of adults with arthritis are physically inactive. Yet a CDC study shows that severe joint pain is more common among adults with arthritis who are physically inactive. Physical inactivity is more common among adults with arthritis who live in states in the Southeast and are disabled or unable to work. Arthritis, severe joint pain, and physical inactivity are linked to limitations in daily activities like holding a mug or cup, lifting and carrying a grocery bag, or walking to the car.