How to Live With Arthritis

Arthritis is no longer the debilitating disease it once was. Sufferers need not resign themselves to being wheelchair-bound within a few years, as they did in decades past. With all the wonderful medical advancements in pain relief and inflammation management, it is possible to live well with arthritis.

Instructions

Difficulty: Easy

1. See a rheumatologist. Rheumatologists specialize in inflammatory conditions such as arthritis. A rheumatologist is your first line of defense in treating the disease.
2. Get on the appropriate medications; these will vary depending on your individual circumstances. Your rheumatologist will likely start you off on an anti-inflammatory pain reliever. He or she may also put you on an agent like as methotrexate or Plaquenil (designed to induce a remission of the arthritis).
3. Begin an exercise regimen. Your joints will gradually lose mobility and function without regular exercise to keep them limber. Tai chi, light yoga, water aerobics and walking are all excellent exercises for people who live with arthritis.
4. Buy assistive devices if you need them. For example, purchase a jar opener if you have trouble gripping lids. Shoe horns can help you put on your shoes, and special hook and pull devices exist for helping you button your shirts.
5. Get plenty of rest; just as it is important to move your joints, you don't want to overdo it. Pushing them beyond their limits, on a regular basis, can increase pain and structural damage. If you feel tired or your joints are starting to hurt, respect your body and take a break.
6. Have fluid removed when necessary. When your joints swell during an arthritis flare, the fluid buildup can be painful and significantly restrict your movement. Your doctor can draw this fluid off with a local anesthetic and a needle.

Tips & Warnings

• If you are interested in obtaining a handicapped-parking permit, ask your doctor. He or she can provide you with the appropriate paperwork and sign off on an affidavit of your medical need for the permit. Then, simply send the paperwork off to your local Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV), or take it in yourself, to get your permit.
• Having fluid withdrawn only takes a few minutes, and the procedure can be performed in your doctor's office. The results, though, can last for months.