Arthritis is normally associated with the elderly, but this joint pain and stiffness can affect people of any age. If you suffer from achy, swollen joints and find yourself less mobile or active because of it, you may have arthritis. Read this article for tips on how to live with arthritis. NOTE: If the pain persists or becomes too much to handle, Pegasus Pain Management offers arthritis relief procedures to manage your pain.
Arthritis Pain Relief Tips
Before changing your arthritis medications, be sure to check with a pain management doctor. Some drugs do not work quickly, so it is important to give them time before concluding that they are not working. Others can cause serious withdrawal symptoms if you stop taking them suddenly.
Watch out for co-morbid condition, especially depression. Arthritis and depression can lock you into a feedback loop: you’re tired and in pain, so you can’t do the things you love, which makes you more upset. Being upset then leads to symptom flare-ups. If you think you are depressed, speak with your doctor about a referral to a psychiatrist.
Keep a diary about the progress of your condition. Writing may aid you in learning what sets the wheels of arthritis pain and discomfort into motion. Additionally, it will give you an idea of what helps too. You will then have an easier time sharing this information with a doctor so they are able to find the best treatment options. A diary can obviously be a very helpful, valuable resource.
It is important that you quit smoking if you suffer from arthritis. It is a proven medical fact that smoking can make your arthritis symptoms worse. Also, if you smoke and you are taking medications to control your arthritis symptoms, smoking can actually decrease the positive effects of these medications.
Arthritis is very stress-sensitive, so you can see great results quickly if you learn to relax. When your body and mind are stressed, hormones such as excess cortisol circulate and trigger increased inflammation and pain, which aggravates arthritis. One way to eliminate stress is to learn new time management skills. Light exercise will also help lessen stress.
Cool down your joints and stop physical activity if you start feeling arthritis pain. Rest in a cool environment and use cold packs or mists of cold water to help reduce the pain and swelling caused by injury. Make sure to rest the injured joints and let them have time to get back to fighting order before using them for any difficult tasks.
Exercising can help you manage your arthritis symptoms by helping you to lose weight. Weight loss can help your joints function more efficiently and help keep those symptoms under control. Talk with your doctor about setting up an exercise plan that you can do safely on a routine basis.
Take a break, but not for too long. When your body feels tired, it is always trying to tell you something. Relaxing both your body and your mind can give you a much needed rest to allow you to be at your best. Try not to relax too much though, as doing so can actually aggravate symptoms.
Do not discount the need to get enough sleep when dealing with psoriatic arthritis. You need sleep now even more than before. If you are having trouble sleeping, talk with your doctor about medications that can help. Keep your bedroom a place for resting so that your body knows that heading to bed means time for sleep.
Connect with the Pain Management Doctors at Pegasus
The pain and swelling of arthritis doesn’t have to impede your success or your physical movement. Many people suffer from this illness, and there are ways to successfully combat it. Remember the tips in this article if you or a loved one is suffering from the pain and stiffness of arthritis.
If you want to discuss medical and surgical treatment for your chronic arthritis, speak with the pain management physicians here at Pegasus Pain Management today by using this contact form or call us directly at (214) 702-5855.
