Arthritis is a chronic condition that cannot be cured, but there are things you can do to relieve the pain and make life more bearable.
Different types of arthritis exist and they all have different symptoms. They also affect the joints differently. There are four major types of arthritis: Osteoarthritis, Rheumatoid Arthritis, Psoriatic Arthritis, and Gouty Arthritis. Each one has its own set of treatments which should be tailored to your symptoms in order to get relief from the pain.
Medicine
Pain from arthritis can be eased by taking certain types of medicine. These include aspirin, acetaminophen, and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), which are considered more effective than paracetamol. However, they also come with some side effects, so it is best to consult your doctor first.
The type of arthritis pain you feel depends on where the disease is affecting you – in joints or muscles. There is a range of treatments available based on this:
- Neuropathic Pain:
This involves inflammation or irritation of nerves themselves, commonly involving extreme burning and shooting pains that may only happen occasionally but can disrupt sleep at night. Treatment includes antidepressants such as amitriptyline and gabapentin and anticonvulsants such as gabapentin and pregabalin (Lyrica).
- Arthritic Pain:
This tends to be more constant, aching pain that is felt within the joint. It can include swelling, stiffness, or reduced movement of affected joints. Treatment typically involves NSAIDs such as ibuprofen or diclofenac and other analgesics such as paracetamol. Increasing physical activity can also help to reduce this type of pain.
- Neuropathic-Arthritic Pain:
In some cases, both types of pain are experienced by those with arthritis – neuropathic pain in areas such as the hands and feet while arthritic aches occur in larger joints like knees, hips, back, and neck. Combination treatments can help to target both types of symptoms.
Exercise
One more thing you should consider is physiotherapy. People living in Canada have a ton of options and physiotherapy in Vancouver is one of them. A physical therapist can design an individual exercise program based on your needs and capabilities. A physiotherapist will help you improve your balance and strength so that the weight of your body is better to spread across joints, reducing pressure and pain.
Arthritis tends to be more common with age. Thus, it’s a good idea to start exercising early in life when our bodies are healthier. Running sprints or jogging every day may not be right for everyone, but there are other more moderate activities such as walking, cycling at a slow pace, swimming also proved to be helpful exercises for arthritis patients because they can reduce pain while increasing muscle flexibility and bone density. So if you have arthritis make sure to exercise regularly!
Healthy Diet
Proper nutrition will help to ease the symptoms of arthritis as well as fight off other health problems too. It is recommended that those with arthritis eat foods rich in Omega 3 fatty acids, which can be found in nuts, seeds, oily fish (salmon), avocados, and dark chocolate. The antioxidants found in many fruits and vegetables work by reducing inflammation while also helping to boost an immune system fighting disease or injury – this includes blueberries, strawberries, oranges, and tomatoes.
The types of food you should try to avoid include anything that contains a high amount of sugar or salt (which increases water retention) or saturated fat which can clog up arteries and promote heart disease. Instead, try to consume complex carbohydrates such as whole-grain bread and brown rice.
Chronic pain from arthritis can be debilitating, leading to heightened stress levels. This in turn only makes the symptoms worse and creates a never-ending cycle of discomfort. Definitely consider taking up soothing activities like yoga or meditation if you suffer from chronic pain as these have been proven to help relieve both symptoms.
A Word About Alternative Treatment
Alternative treatments can be used either alone or alongside conventional medications for those who are not interested in taking prescription drugs or seek an alternative approach – there is a range to choose from including homeopathy, acupuncture, massage therapy, and herbal remedies. It is important that you do your research before committing to an alternative treatment plan but if it helps then it’s worth considering all options available.