Arthritis is one of the most common medical conditions affecting millions of people worldwide, especially middle-aged adults. It causes inflammation in the joints, leading to discomfort, stiffness, and reduced mobility. Various factors, such as genetics, aging, injury, and lifestyle, can influence the development of arthritis in patients.
As such, preventing arthritis is important to maintaining joint health and improving quality of life. Additionally, you can avoid the pain and discomfort associated with arthritis by taking proactive measures to minimize the associated risks.
Living with chronic pain and other debilitating symptoms of arthritis is difficult. Even if you are working with a great healthcare provider and have an effective, personalized treatment plan, it is easy to make mistakes and develop bad habits or negative attitudes. However, these are all problems that you can overcome.
Here are 6 ways to do that:
1. Don’t assume your arthritis will go away
Many forms of arthritis are chronic, meaning they cannot be cured. While this is hard to accept, it is important to try.
While you can’t get rid of arthritis, you can manage it. There is no cure for arthritis. However, advances in treatment can help reduce pain, improve range of motion, and prevent further damage.
2. Don’t assume you can’t exercise
Many people with arthritis are afraid that if they are active, they will have more pain, so they don’t exercise. This may be one of the biggest misconceptions about arthritis.
At the same time, it’s an ironic idea because inactivity actually makes arthritis pain and disability worse over time, while regular exercise helps keep joints moving and prevents stiffness, strengthens the muscles around the joints, and improves mobility.
Physical therapy and exercise can also help prevent the progression of arthritis. So if you’re sedentary because you’re afraid you’re making your arthritis worse, stop being sedentary
Some people with arthritis not only think they can’t exercise, but they also believe they need to be less active than they need to be. Of course, resting after a particularly active day is important, or when your body tells you to rest, but it shouldn’t become a way of life.
3. Stop Eating Unhealthy Foods
Eating a healthy diet and maintaining a healthy weight are especially important if you have arthritis. Excess weight can put a lot of pressure on your weight-bearing joints, making arthritis pain worse. Even moderate weight gain can put pressure on joints that are already affected by arthritis.
Diet can also play a role in pain and inflammation in people with arthritis. Foods that can trigger arthritis flare-ups include processed foods, fried foods, trans fats, refined flour, red meat, and sugar.
In addition, eating a healthy diet and maintaining a healthy weight can help reduce some types of arthritis pain and prevent further damage.
4. Don’t ignore your physical limitations
Just as there are people with arthritis who are inactive, there are also people who push themselves beyond their limits. The trick is to pace yourself. Overdoing it is just as bad as overdoing it.
Pushing your limits can increase pain and put you at greater risk of joint damage. Respect your pain and choose activities that fit your physical limitations.
Arthritis can flare up over time. Common triggers include overuse, such as exercise or housework, or injury to the area.
5. Stop avoiding mobility aids
Some people with arthritis may need a cane, walker, or wheelchair to be independent and mobile. It’s understandable that it might be hard to think about needing some type of mobility aid, but if you really need one and don’t use it, you risk missing out on the things you enjoy.
A cane or wheelchair doesn’t define you, and no one will judge you or think badly of you for using one. In fact, you’ll probably be admired for getting out and having fun despite needing a little help.
6. Stop Hiding Information
It can be tempting to not share everything with your healthcare provider, especially if you’re afraid of having to undergo uncomfortable tests or having to change a treatment plan you’re comfortable with.
But for your healthcare provider to have the best chance of helping you, they need to know everything. Talk openly about what makes your condition better or worse, what worries you, and what you don’t understand.
