Arthritis? Manage the Pain.

Arthritis is a degenerative musculoskeletal condition that is associated with the inflammation of the joints. Of course, there are many types of arthritis, but the most common ones are osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis. Osteoarthritis is the more common of the two types and it is usually caused by wear and tear. On the other hand, rheumatoid arthritis is caused by an autoimmune disorder that attacks the joints. In most cases, arthritis cannot be cured completely, and therefore, treatment usually involves pain management. Below are tips to help manage arthritis or other inflammation pain.

SLEEP WELL

If you are living with arthritis, having adequate rest and sleep is very important for you. Without adequate sleep, you are likely to develop fatigue and this may have the effect of aggravating your arthritis pain. Therefore, for you effectively and efficiently manage your arthritis pain, it is wise to get at least eight solid hours of sleep every night.

BE PHYSICALLY ACTIVE

Engaging in physical activity is a proven way of reducing joint stiffness and pain. It can also improve your mood, function, and quality of life in general. Besides, staying active can help you to prevent yourself from getting opportunistic chronic illnesses, such as diabetes and heart disease, that can develop due inactivity forced on people by arthritis pain. However, you have to ensure that the kind of physical activity that you engage in is gentle in your joints.

MANAGE YOUR WEIGHT

Being overweight or obese can make it more difficult for you to manage arthritis pain. This is because the extra pound that you have can aggravate your arthritis pain by putting more pressure on your joints. Therefore, if you are overweight or obese and you have arthritis, it is wise for you to take deliberate steps to cut weight to make it easier for you to manage arthritis pain.

MEDITATE DAILY

Meditation, relaxation, and mindful techniques may be able to help reduce the pain from arthritis, or at least can aid in coping with chronic pain. Studies found mindfulness is helpful for dealing with chronic pain, including stiff and painful joints, with the reduction of stress and depression, even the inflammation and swelling were relieved.