DR. ARTHRITIS SHARES: LIFESTYLE CHANGES PEOPLE DIAGNOSED WITH ARTHRITIS HAVE TO MAKE

According to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), an estimated 54.4 million US adults suffer from arthritis.  And what you do—or don’t do, for that matter—will make a difference on how well you manage the pain that comes with the condition. After all, our lifestyles dictate the condition of our health. And quite simply, different lifestyle choices will have an impact on our physical wellbeing.

Why Your Weight Matters

Generally, a healthy body weight is essential to the overall health of your body, especially your joints. If you suffer from arthritis, this is even more important as excess pounds means your joints are subjected to even more wear and tear, inflammation, and stiffness.

Make sure that you—

• Get enough exercise to manage your weight and reduce arthritis induced pain and stiffness.

• Maintain a healthy diet by sticking to low-fat, low-calorie foods.

• Include a lot of fruits and vegetables in your meals to ensure that you get enough vitamin C, which can help manage inflammation in the body.

• Avoid alcohol whenever you can.

• Keep track of your weight—even just a couple of pounds can put pressure on your joints and worsen arthritis pain.

Why Stress Matters

Your mental and emotional disposition also lends itself to worsening arthritis symptoms. When you’re feeling stressed, depressed or even overwhelmed, these can exacerbate pain symptoms and ultimately inhibit you from enjoying a healthy lifestyle.

Manage it by—

• Ensuring that you take ample breaks from work.

• Finding an outlet for your thoughts and emotions.

• Learning some sort of meditation to help you clear your thoughts.

• Getting enough rest every day.

• Enjoying simple things that let you have alone time such as reading, or enjoying a hot bath.

Why Acknowledging Your Condition Matters

Often, people who suffer from arthritis tend to ignore the signs and symptoms. Either they refuse to admit that they have to learn how to manage the condition, or they simply want to live in sheer oblivion and hope the symptoms go away by themselves.

Try—

• Incorporating compression garments into your wardrobe to help alleviate symptoms. Something as simple and discreet as a knee or wrist sleeve will help you move better and ease the pain.

• Opting for closure that use Velcro instead of buttons or laces.

• Using assistive devices like walkers or canes to provide extra support.

• Using electric appliances, especially kitchen tools to take the strain off your hands.

• Adding simple exercises that are designed to help ease the pain of your arthritic joints daily.

Living with arthritis doesn’t necessarily mean you have to stay away from things you love. In fact, recognizing your symptoms early means you can easily make minor lifestyle tweaks that will help you manage your condition better.

Again, if you think you’re showing early signs of arthritis, it’s important that you first consult your physician and discuss what lifestyle changes you can start making to manage your condition.