Arthritis makes tough work of even the simplest tasks. This article has some great advice that you c...

1. Learning How To Deal With Your Arthritis
Arthritis makes tough work of even the simplest tasks. This article has some great advice that you
can use to deal with your arthritis. This article offers up a variety of useful tips and tricks for
managing your arthritis on a daily basis.
Do whatever it takes to stay away from cigarette smoke, including quitting if you have this habit.
Inflammation will be made worse if your blood does not flow to the extreme parts of your body and
cause a lot of unneeded pain. However, the damage done to your joints by the lack of blood flow will
cause your arthritis to increase in severity more quickly.
While some medical conditions are exacerbated by consumption of alcoholic beverages, this is not
always the case. On the contrary, some experts suggest that moderate consumption may even
provide some benefits to those suffering with arthritis.
Lie back, close your eyes and practice some deep breathing exercises. Techniques that distract your
mind are often helpful because they give you a break from the pain.
Always remember your joints. Even a small task can be painful and seem difficult when you are
arthritic. Ask someone for help or move items by sliding rather than trying to lift them. Try to limit
any inflammation in your joints, as this will limit your movement and flexibility during the day.
For those with chronic arthritis that drive, you are eligible to receive a pass for handicapped
parking. Many arthritis suffers are not aware of this, so they cause undue stress and strain by
parking in remote spaces.
Cigarettes have actually been shown to cause a loss in flexibility, as well as increasing the chances
that your arthritis will flare up. It may be hard to quit smoking, but it isn't as hard as living with the
especially intense arthritis pain you'll experience if you don't quit.
Narcotic pain relievers should not be the first line of treatment for arthritis pain. Lots of pain killers
can quickly lead to addiction. Use painkillers only as directed and only under a doctor's care.
Add additional vegetables to your diet, and reduce your meat consumption. A vegetarian diet has
been scientificially proven to reduce some symptoms of arthritis. If avoiding meat is not an option, to
obtain similar benefits, try to ensure that half of your nutrition comes from vegetables.
It is important you never let yourself or anyone else demean your confidence. If you suffer from
arthritis, you may not feel comfortable doing some tasks. Feeling like you need to or guilty about
being unable to will only make things worse. Quitting tasks you used to be able to do is not a reason
to be down on yourself.

2. Be sure to get plenty of protein. Eating protein is very important to arthritis suffers because when
you have this condition, your body will tend to use more protein than the normal person. If you're
vegetarian, you need to find healthy protein sources to eat regularly so that you can fight
inflammation and pain.
Use assistance as much as possible when engaging in strenuous activity. For example, if you have to
lift heavy items or stand in line for an extended period of time, you should take every possible
precaution to ensure that your joints are protected from any potentially damaging stress or strain.
Further joint damage gives you severe pain, so the best thing that you can do is to avoid the
pressures associated to strenuous activity.
Your physician can advise you on whether to use hot or cold treatments on your joints. Applying heat
and ice to your joints can bring great relief from the pain. Using both treatment methods together
can also help with the pain, so long as they are not overused.
Consider cognitive behavioral therapy. This therapy assists people in changing bad behavior by
informing them of methods to change the way they think about certain people and events that
happen in their lives. Although this therapy may not act against arthritis symptoms directly, it can
dramatically improve how a patient deals with them.
By applying the previous tips to your life, you can reduce some of the symptoms associated with your
arthritis. At least some of these ideas will apply to your situation and you can fold them into your
daily life. If your symptoms are unaffected by treatment or get worse, consult your doctor.