- Arthritis appears as pain and stiffness in the joints or inflammation in the body. Your symptoms often include swelling or bumps at joints, morning stiffness or pain during daily activity. Joint arthritis flares after inactivity. Sleep disruptions, numbness or tingling can be signs of arthritis. Blood tests, X-rays, magnetic resonance imaging and other diagnostic techniques confirm the type and extent of most arthritic diseases.
- Starting the right exercise plan helps most arthritis sufferers. Reducing excess weight eases strain on joints and connective tissue. Range of motion exercises maintain circulation for overall body health. This improves painful and swollen joints. Good circulation and muscle tone carries medication better and helps people function with fewer drugs and artificial aids. Patients considering knee or hip replacement surgery because of arthritis will benefit with approved exercise to condition the overall body as well. Your post-surgery therapy is more effective when you have good muscle tone and balance already in place.
- Analgesics or pain relievers often reduce swelling and pain associated with arthritis. Many doctors recommend over-the-counter anti-inflammatory products. These products require no prescription but do sometimes interact with existing medications. Your doctor reviews your overall health, drug regimen, arthritis type and lifestyle before prescribing anything as these factors all affect the choice of pain reliever. Prescription drugs may include medications given orally, by injection or through a skin patch. Homeopathic medications include many herbs, salves and lotions for their anti-inflammatory effects.
- Exercise and medication stabilize arthritis for many people, and the combination improves daily function. Sometimes fitting in exercise and medication is enough to improve mobility and sleep quality. Other simple changes help prevent depression and fatigue due to the pain associated with arthritis. Your selection of a supportive bed pillow or ergonomic chair style can help. Proper shoes for exercise and walking improve leg and foot support and may delay or prevent foot and knee surgery.
- You may benefit from other treatment options. Hot and cold packs after activity sooth achy joints. Acupuncture and acupressure help many people too. Aquatic therapy is popular as the exercise helps mobility while water buoyancy takes weight off of inflamed joints. Spa fans believe the hot temperatures of saunas and steam rooms relieve pain. Diet shows promise in helping the body heal itself. Popular dietary supplements such as balanced fatty acids, glucosamine, chondroitin and other ingredients may help reduce joint damage as well. Success depends on finding the treatment suited to your arthritis and lifestyle.
