Do’s & Don’ts of Arthritis
People who have suffered with arthritis for a long time will know that one of the hardest parts when first diagnosed is figuring out what you can and can’t do. Living with a chronic illness isn’t easy; it will take a long time to fully get used to.
Arthritis, especially osteoarthritis, is a painful and frustrating condition to live with. It can affect daily activities that used to be so easy before. However, it can be made easier. By following some simple do’s and don’ts, you can manage your condition and try and live as normal a life as possible.
Don’t Rest Too Much
For someone suffering with arthritis, it’s common to feel like you need to rest as much as possible. However, did you know that too much rest could cause the muscles to weaken? This could lead to further joint pain over the years. Therefore it’s important that you do try and get some exercise. It could be simply walking around the house – anything to get your muscles working.
Do Maintain a Healthy Weight
Carrying around extra weight can put unnecessary strain on your joints, something that will make the pain from arthritis a lot worse. Because of this, it’s important that you try and maintain a healthy weight at all times. It doesn’t have to be a dramatic weight loss; losing a little bit of weight will lessen the strain being put on your joints.
Don’t Over or Under Medicate
For someone who is constantly in pain, it can be really tempting to overuse medication – especially over the counter pain relief. Whilst these are here to help, they shouldn’t be used regularly. If you do find yourself relying on your medication, it’s really important that you go and speak to your doctor.
In the same way that you shouldn’t take too much medication, you shouldn’t under medicate either. Don’t put up with prolonged arthritis pain – this could be an indication that something else is wrong.
Do Get Plenty of Sleep
Although we’ve stressed the importance of not resting too much, it’s still important that you get enough sleep during the evening. Lack of sleep can aggravate the symptoms of arthritis; so it’s essential that you get at least 8 hours a night! If you can, you should try and take a warm bath before bed. This can help to relieve aching muscles and joint pain.
Don’t Ignore What Your Body is Telling You
Living with arthritis means that you need to get very familiar with your body and what it might be trying to tell you. You should never ignore unexplainable pains or aches – it’s always worth having them checked out. Your doctor will always be more than happy to put your mind at rest!
Do Consider the use of Aids
The use of Aids such as a walking stick, use of a knee support or modifying your footwear can lead to significant improvement in your symptoms. Here at Joint Replacement Surgery we are happy to offer advice to enable you to get better function. These Aids can assist you whilst you are awaiting surgery or if you choose to avoid it altogether.
If you would like to speak to someone about your condition, please don’t hesitate to contact us here at the Joint Replacement Surgery. You can give us a call on 07943 947 639 and we will be more than happy to book you an appointment.
