Ways To Manage Arthritis
There are a lot of things you can do to manage your arthritis. The day-to-day things you choose to do to manage your condition and stay healthy are self-management strategies and activities. CDCs Arthritis Program recognizes five self-management strategies for managing arthritis and its symptoms.
Practice these simplestrategies to reduce symptoms and get relief soyou can pursue the activities that are important to you. These strategies can even help you manage other chronic conditions you may have, such as diabetes, heart disease, or obesity.
Use these 5 strategies to manage your arthritis at any age.
Join a self-management education workshop, which can help you learn the skills to manage your arthritis and make good decisions about your health.
How can a self-management education workshop help me?
Learning strategies to better manage your arthritis can help you:
- Feel more in control of your health.
- Manage pain and other symptoms.
- Plan and carry out valuedactivities, like working and spending time with loved ones.
- Improve your mood.
- Communicate better with your health care provider about your care.
Learn about CDC-recognized self-management education programs that improve the quality of life of people with arthritis.
Stay as active as your health allows. Some physical activity is better than none.
Unsure about what kind of activity is safe?
The focus of arthritis treatment is to
Does Rheumatoid Arthritis Cause Fatigue
Everyones experience of rheumatoid arthritis is a little different. But many people with RA say that fatigue is among the worst symptoms of the disease.
Living with chronic pain can be exhausting. And fatigue can make it more difficult to manage your pain. Its important to pay attention to your body and take breaks before you get too tired.
What are rheumatoid arthritis flare symptoms?
The symptoms of a rheumatoid arthritis flare arent much different from the symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis. But people with RA have ups and downs. A flare is a time when you have significant symptoms after feeling better for a while. With treatment, youll likely have periods of time when you feel better. Then, stress, changes in weather, certain foods or infections trigger a period of increased disease activity.
Although you cant prevent flares altogether, there are steps you can take to help you manage them. It might help to write your symptoms down every day in a journal, along with whats going on in your life. Share this journal with your rheumatologist, who may help you identify triggers. Then you can work to manage those triggers.
Rheumatologists And Other Doctors Share Some Surprising Facts And Clinical Observations They Wish All Their Ra Patients Understood
When you finally get a diagnosis of rheumatoid arthritis, you may find yourself both relieved and anxious at the same time. Youre comforted by having a name for the constellation of symptoms and pain youve been dealing with in the dark for months , but scared about what it means for your future: What medications will you need to take? Will you ever feel better or normal again?
Your doctor will go over your treatment plan and help address your most pressing questions and concerns. But theres only so much you can go over in a 15-minute office visit. So we talked to a group of rheumatologists and other experts who work with arthritis patients to tell us some surprising facts or clinical observations they wish all their RA patients understood.
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Gout And Calcium Crystal Diseases
Gout is a type of inflammatory arthritis that can cause painful swelling in joints. It typically affects the big toe, but it can also affect other joints in the body.
Joints affected by gout can become red and hot. The skin may also look shiny and can peel.
Its caused by having too much urate, otherwise known as uric acid, in the body. We all have a certain amount of urate in our body.
However, being overweight or eating and drinking too much of certain types of food and alcoholic drinks can cause some people to have more urate in their bodies. The genes you inherit can make you more likely to develop gout.
If it reaches a high level, urate can form into crystals that remain in and around the joint. They can be there for a while without causing any problems and even without the person realising they are there.
A knock to a part of the body or having a fever can lead to the crystals falling into the soft part of the joint. This will cause pain and swelling.
There are drugs that can reduce the amount of urate in the body and prevent gout attacks. Examples are allopurinol and . If youre having a gout attack, youll also need short-term pain relief. Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs as well as paracetamol can be good drugs to try first.
Men can get gout from their mid-20s, and in women its more common after the menopause. Taking water tablets can increase the risk of gout.
There are also conditions that cause calcium crystals to form in and around joints.
What Is A Joint And How Does It Work
A joint is where two or more bones meet, such as in the fingers, knees, and shoulders. Joints hold bones in place and allow them to move freely within limits.
Most of the joints in our body are surrounded by a strong capsule. The capsule is filled with a thick fluid that helps to lubricate the joint. These capsules hold our bones in place. They do this with the help of ligaments. These are a bit like very strong elastic bands.
The ends of the bones within a joint are lined with cartilage. This is a smooth but tough layer of tissue that allows bones to glide over one another as you move.
If we want to move a bone, our brain gives a signal to the muscle, which then pulls a tendon, and this is attached to the bone. Muscles therefore have an important role in supporting a joint.
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Be Smart About Daily Tasks
Rheumatoid arthritis doesn’t have to change your daily to-do list. Some simple fixes can make it easier to get things done.
Streamline your approach
Have a plan. When you have RA, you may have less energy. So it helps to be organized. If you want to get things done tomorrow, plan how you’ll do it now. Keep your goals realistic, and don’t forget to schedule breaks.
Save your energy. What slows you down? Putting on your shoes? Getting ready in the morning? Once you know the things that get you stuck, you can come up with ways to make them easier.
Divide up the day. Spend 30 minutes on a task, and then do something else. Focusing too much on one thing could leave you feeling achy and fatigued. If you switch things up, you’ll get more done.
Pace yourself, especially on good days. Even if you wake up feeling like you can do anything, squeezing in too much can backfire. If you overdo it — going on a hike or gardening all afternoon — your fatigue the next day could set you back. Tackle a high-energy task or two in the morning, take a short nap at lunchtime, and do lighter work in the afternoon.
In the kitchen
Use a stool. Don’t stand while you cook. Sit and rest. You can wash dishes from a stool too.
Cook simpler meals. Stick with easy recipes, especially after work. Use shortcuts like pre-cut vegetables. Save dishes with lots of steps for weekends or nights when a family member can help. Or split up the cooking over 2 days.
Bathing and dressing
Around the house
Soothe Your Body And Mind
Give yourself some extra TLC to help your body recover from a flare. Practice relaxation techniques to help your mind and body calm down and recover. Engage in practices like deep breathing, meditation, and visualization. Try a little pampering soaking in a warm bath, listening to soothing music, enjoying quiet time, or sipping on a steaming mug of tea.
Where possible, adds Smith, do your best to avoid physically and emotionally stressful situations.
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What Do I Do If I Think I Have Rheumatoid Arthritis
If youre experiencing joint pain and inflammation, its important that you discuss your symptoms with your doctor. Getting a diagnosis as soon as possible means that treatment can start quickly. Early treatment will help you to control the inflammation, manage pain more effectively and minimise the risk of long-term joint damage and disability.
If youre diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis or suspected of having the condition, you may be referred to a medical specialist known as a rheumatologist for further investigations and medical treatment.
What Are The Treatment Options For Those Suffering From Rheumatoid Arthritis
Although there is presently no cure for it, there are many Rheumatoid Arthritis treatment options that can be used for relief, in addition to the self-care tips above.
Topical Treatments. Whether in the form of creams, gels or patches, options that are applied directly to the skin can be very soothing, reducing inflammation and pain.
Supplements. Taking supplements like Omega-3 fish oil capsules and turmeric may ease morning stiffness and pain, but its important to discuss this option with a doctor to confirm there will be no interactions with any other medicines prescribed.
Medications. There are a variety of drugs that can help to slow the progression of the disease. Some of these include: Corticosteroids DMARDs JAK inhibitors and Biologics . Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs like Aspirin and Ibuprofen can also be taken to ease symptoms. Work with a rheumatologist to find the right treatment plan for your needs.
Surgery. Though the most invasive of the treatments, if mobility is limited or daily functions are prevented from the progression of RA, joint replacement surgery may be an option. The procedure consists of a surgeon replacing the damaged parts of a joint with plastic and or metal substitutions. Hips, knees, shoulders, elbows and other common areas of damage are all candidates for this type of surgery.
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How Chronic Fatigue Affects You
Fatigue can be a serious and debilitating symptom of rheumatoid arthritis. Those who suffer from chronic fatigue report that it makes them feel so physically exhausted that everyday tasks of life become a burden. They report that their limbs feel heavy, weak and are difficult to move.
Fatigue also affects ones ability to focus, making it difficult to perform daily tasks at home, work or school. It may also be challenging to pay attention during conversations. Chronic Fatigue can lead to decreased workplace productivity, social isolation, and depression.
What Is It Like To Live With Rheumatoid Arthritis
If youre fighting Rheumatoid Arthritis, you can live an active, normal life, but you may need to practice self-care to minimize your pain and symptoms. Here are a few ways that those suffering from RA manage it:
Physical Activity. Regular exercise is vital. Staying strong and keeping muscles active is a great way to reduce pain. Suggested activities include low-impact aerobics, dance, Pilates, yoga and other exercises that strengthen muscles and promote flexibility. Patients should see a doctor or physical therapist for recommended activities based on their abilities and then lessen the intensity if any joint damage has already occurred.
Diet. Eating foods that help keep inflammation low can be greatly beneficial to those suffering from RA. Most of these items fall into the traditional Mediterranean diet menu of fish, olive oil, fruits and vegetables. Foods to avoid include anything processed like packaged cookies and crackers, and fast foods.
Temperature Therapies. Some Rheumatoid Arthritis patients find relief using heating pads and hot baths to soothe stiff joints and muscles. Alternately, for a rapid reduction of inflammation to numb sharp pain, ice packs can be utilized.
Community. Connecting with others who suffer from Rheumatoid Arthritis and/or discussing the ailment with supportive friends and family members may help to mentally navigate the condition.
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The Treatment Of Early Ra
The time frames within which the effects of therapy have been studied in most trials of early intervention in RA have been somewhat arbitrarily defined and have been based on the principle of the earlier the better .
Most trials of early therapy have chosen a maximum symptom duration of 2 years. Therapeutic approaches studied to date have included intra-articular and systemic steroid, DMARD monotherapy, DMARD combination therapy and anti-TNF- therapy these approaches in each case were compared with less aggressive approaches to treatment.
Those studies that have shown benefit from early combination therapy have used steroids, albeit in different regimens.,, Steroids certainly allow a more rapid control of synovitis than conventional DMARDs, explaining their incorporation in step-down regimes. The use of steroid in the medium to long-term, however, remains controversial. Several studies suggest that oral steroids reduce the risk of development of erosions in patients with early RA, and there is a clear biological rationale for this. However, data from the WOSERACT study does not support this clinical benefit.
Therefore, even with potent regimens it appears unlikely that permanent drug-free remission can be induced in patients with established RA once symptoms have been present for more than 3 months.
Other Supplements And Magnesium Oil
These include joint supplements which can help and are beneficial for the joints. Common joint supplements that may assist you include glucosamine, chondroitin and the well-known pain reliever, turmeric.
Magnesium oil is a mixture of magnesium chloride flakes and water. Rheumatoid arthritis sufferers have been found to benefit from its application to painful joints.
Apply magnesium oil regularly if you want to reverse rheumatoid arthritis.
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A Warning About Supplements
A few RA studies show that certain supplements and natural remedies can help. But the research is still in its early stages, so the bottom line isnât clear yet.
Keep in mind that supplements can affect other medications. Tell your doctor about anything you take, even if itâs natural, so they can check that itâs safe for you.
Show Sources
NCCAM: Rheumatoid Arthritis and Complementary and Alternative Medicine The Use of Magnets for Pain and Thunder God Vine.
Session 3: Joint Nutrition Society and Irish Nutrition and Dietetic Institute Symposium on Nutrition and autoimmune disease PUFA, inflammatory processes and rheumatoid arthritis.
Arthritis Today: Supplement Guide.
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What Is The Best Diet For Rheumatoid Arthritis
We know some of the main triggers, causes, and factors so we can reverse engineer a basic solution. Starting with diet, we can find an approach that removes gluten, sugar, and lectins. the best diet for RA is any diet that works to correct dysbiosis and heal Leaky Gut Syndrome. The most successful RA diets Ive seen are low carb in nature.
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See A Physical Or Occupational Therapist
They can help you become stronger and more flexible. Your doctor can give you a referral.
Therapists can show you the safest ways to move your body for everyday tasks, like lifting a box, to help protect your joints. They can also teach you exercises to do at home safely. You want to build strength, but you don’t want to overdo it and trigger a flare.
An occupational therapist shows you ways to do specific tasks at home or at work. A physical therapist helps keep you moving. No matter which type you choose, it’s best to see someone who has experience working with people who have arthritis.
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.
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Treatments And Strategies To Help Relieve Chronic Ra Pain
Try the following strategies with your doctors supervision to discover which are most effective for you.
1. Inflammation medicationIn the case of RA, all other pain-relief strategies are secondary to controlling inflammation, Ali says. That means treating with medications that alter the course of the disease such as disease-modifying anti-rheumatic drugs , biologics, or janus kinase inhibitors. Steroids may be used to bridge the gap during an acute flare, adds Ali, though theyre typically only used for a short period of time, due to the side effects theyre associated with.
These drugs each work differently to suppress the bodys overactive immune system response and are also used to prevent joint damage and slow the progression of the disease. Theyre often prescribed shortly after an RA diagnosis in order to prevent as much joint damage as possible though it may take up to six months or so to fully feel the drugs benefits. It can also take time to find the right treatment or combination of treatments to help you gain control of your RA.
Heal Your Leaky Gut And Heal Your Arthritis
Intestinal Dysbiosis is a precursor to Leaky Gut Syndrome and is linked to RA +. Research is beginning to support the idea that the onset of autoimmunity is linked to the GI tract & composition of the microbiome. In essence our gut bacteria controls our immune system + whether directly or indirectly. In a previous article I stated Autoimmune Disease and Leaky Gut are the same process. Regardless of what autoimmune condition you have, theyre interrelated. Ive found if my gut was off, then so were my joints, eczema broke out, got eye floaters, cold hands & feet , and others. Manifestation of symptoms can be different depending on the severity of my leaky gut & dysbiosis. So if your looking to reverse your RA then healing leaky gut should be your primary focus. As you heal the gut youll see your RA and other autoimmune issues subside. This doesnt have to be complicated: heal your gut and overcome your Rheumatoid Arthritis.
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