Living with arthritis

Here's help to make living with arthritis manageable - and bearable...

Rheumatoid arthritis is a chronic joint disease caused by an inflammation of tissue in the joints.

Women are more likely to suffer from arthritis than men

In the case of rheumatoid arthritis, the body attacks the tissue by mistake, and causes stiffness and swollen joints, which can be excruciatingly painful. In severe cases if the disease is left untreated, it can spread to other organs and cause severe damage.

Many people feel like their life is over when they suffer from arthritis, but living with it doesn’t have to be unbearable.

Aside from the traditional medicines prescribed by doctors, there are other things you can do to improve your quality of life and cope with arthritis more easily.

Maintain a healthy weight

In order to minimize pressure on your joints, it is important to maintain a healthy weight. Make sure you continue to get sufficient exercise and follow a healthy diet. Although exercise can be painful when you have arthritis, it is important to stay as mobile as possible.

Try exercises that don't put pressure on the joints

Certain exercises, like swimming or cycling, do not put as much pressure on the joints, and can actually help to ease the pain.

Visiting an occupational therapist or physiotherapist is a good idea, as they can direct you to certain activities that will strengthen your bones and muscles while helping you to stay flexible and mobile.

Taking a warm bath or sitting in a sauna can also help relieve the pain and swelling.

Having a good posture can make a big difference

Stooping or slouching will put unnecessary pressure on the joints, whilst a good posture can actually strengthen them. If you experience a lot of pain when walking, you can try using a cane or walker for extra support. Also make sure to wear comfortable footwear when walking longer distances.

Recognizing limitations will help you cope with arthritis

In order to cope with arthritis and live a happy and relatively pain free life, you will have to alter your lifestyle. You will not be able to do everything that you used to do, at least not in the same way. Recognizing this is one of the most important steps towards successfully coping with this disease.

Coping with arthritis doesn’t mean staying home and never doing the things you would like to do. It means finding a way to live with your condition. It means looking for ways to continue enjoying life despite your disease.

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