Six methods that can ease the pain caused by arthritis
As arthritis is one of the most common diseases on the planet, it is no surprise to learn that there have been a lot of studies related to it.
However, even with all the advancements in medicine, the cure for arthritis is long to be found. While there is no cure, there are many ways known to ease the pain caused by arthritis or even completely remove it, at least in the earlier stages.
Two common types of arthritis
While there are many types of arthritis, the two most common ones are osteoarthritis (OA) and rheumatoid arthritis (RA).
OA mainly displays itself as a wear and tear disease of the cartilage, and it causes bones to rub together, which leads to damage and inflammation. RA, on the other hand, is a systemic condition that triggers multiple symptoms throughout the body. Because of this, there are many reasons to see a rheumatologist in your area if you are suffering from this form of arthritis, as their help can be extremely beneficial.
It doesn’t matter which kind of arthritis you have; the six methods we are going to share should give you some relief. While these benefits may be bigger or smaller based on the type of arthritis that you have, they are still something that you should consider.
1) Surgery
By far, the best way to take care of pain and stiffness caused by arthritis is surgery. Of course, not everyone can afford surgery, and not everyone is the perfect candidate. However, there is a reason why the hip arthritis procedure is one of the most common surgeries out there. It provides fantastic results, especially with the introduction of robotics, which allows even better results.
2) Weight management
Depending on what part of your body is affected by arthritis, managing your weight can have substantial benefits. While weight does not play that big of a role for those who have arthritis in their arms, hands, or wrists, those who are suffering from arthritis in the lower part of their body, such as the hips, knees, and ankles, are going to notice a lot of improvement if they lose some weight.
By reducing weight, you are going to notice not only a decrease in pain you are experiencing, but you will also prevent future damage to the joints as the stress those joints are experiencing is going to be reduced too. Next to that, you might also see improvement in mobility, not only in the joints but overall as well.
Managing your weight can greatly help with arthritis.
3) Exercise
One of the best things that you can do for your health if you happen to have arthritis is to do some kind of exercise. This will help you with the previous method of managing your weight, and it will also provide additional strength to your muscles, which will then make your joints better too.
There are all kinds of exercises that patients with arthritis can participate in. Cycling, swimming, tai chi, and even walking are great exercises that can improve your condition. Of course, depending on the type of arthritis that you have and the joints that are affected by it, different exercises are going to give you different results, so it is best to consult with a doctor about the most optimal exercise for you.
4) Hot and cold therapy
In case you are experiencing sudden pain and inflammation due to arthritis, one therapy that has proven effective over the years is hot and cold therapy. Heat treatments such as warm showers or baths are great in the morning, while at night, using an electric blanket or a moist heating pad helps reduce discomfort at night.
Cold treatments, on the other hand, relieve joint pain and swelling, and they can be applied in the form of gel ice packs or a simple pack of frozen vegetables, like pees. When applying something cold to the affected area, it is important to avoid applying ice directly to the skin. Instead, use some kind of cloth as a barrier to avoid skin damage.
5) Medication
The first thing that any orthopaedic doctor is going to give to their patients with arthritis is some kind of medication. With modern medicine and pharmaceutical discoveries, there are all kinds of medications that can help patients deal with arthritis and slow down its progression.
6) Following a healthy diet
No matter what kind of disease or health condition you read about, it is inevitable that you are going to read about how a healthy diet can lead to great improvement. However, that is because that is the truth. There is a big difference between someone who eats healthy and someone who eats only fast food which is saturated in fat.
Diet is essential for a healthier life with arthritis.
New discoveries can help
Managing arthritis is improving over the years, as new discoveries can help patients achieve that. While the cure is not found yet, and surgery is ultimately the only solution that can repair damaged cartilage and bones, we hope that a major discovery is on its way.
