Top Tips for Living Well with Arthritis

Arthritis is often associated with the aches and pains of getting older, however it can affect people at any age. There are more than 100 different diseases and conditions that fall under the group of musculoskeletal disorders described as Arthritis. With approximately two-thirds of people living with some form of arthritis under the age of 65.

Common Types of Arthritis:

Osteoarthritis

One of the most common forms of arthritis, Osteoarthritis is breakdown of joint cartilage. This is often brought on by age, obesity or previous history of joint injury.

Rheumatoid Arthritis

Another common form of arthritis is Rheumatoid Arthritis, this is where the membranes lining the joints become inflamed, resulting in chronic pain, stiffness and swelling.

Post-Traumatic Arthritis

Another very common type of Arthritis and a form of Osteoarthritis is Post-Traumatic Arthritis.  This is caused by damage to a joint after an acute traumatic injury. Even after this type of injury has healed, any lingering damage can turn into arthritis over time. Traumatic injuries that have damaged the cartilage and/or bone can result in a change of the mechanics of the joint – making it wear out more quickly that it would have done otherwise. This type of arthritis is accelerated by repetitive injury and obesity.

Psoriatic Arthritis

This type of arthritis affects people living with psoriasis. Psoriasis is an autoimmune disease which causes red, splotchy patches of skin with silvery scales to appear. The main symptoms of Psoriatic Arthritis are joint pain, stiffness and swelling which can affect any part of the body.

Gout

A very common condition which affects between one and two in every 100 people in the UK. It is most common in men over 30 and women after menopause. Gout is an exceptionally painful form of arthritis in which an excess amount of uric acid builds up in the blood, which leads to crystals being deposited in the joint space. Attacks of Gout can last anywhere between three and ten days, bringing intense pain, inflammation, stiffness and redness to the joint.

People living with Arthritis, may being experiencing intense pain daily. Many everyday tasks that would otherwise be painless and easy to complete, now become much larger challenges. The simplest of tasks that many of us take for granted, like writing and lifting can become very difficult.

Arthritis can become even more debilitating, with every movement causing pain. However, there are many things you can do to help manage Arthritis and its symptoms.

We have put together some top tips to help manage the symptoms of Arthritis;

• Look after your joints

Sometimes we put more pressure on our joints than we need too. To lessen this pressure try loosening your grip when picking up objects. You still want to be able to grip the object without dropping it, but you can loosen your grip to ease the pressure that movement puts on your joints. You may also want to consider adjusting the way to pick things up by spreading the weight more evenly eg. Carrying an object with both arms instead of one. Using you larger, stronger joints wherever possible will also help to reduce the stress on your smaller joints.

• Keep active

When someone is in pain the most common reaction is to stay as still as possible and hope that the pain will subside. Research suggests that keeping active and regular exercise can be very good for arthritis. However, you should be careful with type of exercises you do, we recommend seeking medical advice if you are unsure as to what exercises you can complete for condition & weight.

Keeping active and increasing the amount of exercise you do can lead to increased energy, better range of movement and mobility, weight loss, increased muscle strength and less joint pain.

Staying active can also help your mood and improve mental health.

• Eat well

Eating well and a maintaining a balanced diet helps to maintain a healthy weight and also ensures your body is getting the nutrients it needs to support bones and joints. Foods such as fish, nuts, seeds, beans, and leafy greens are known to help reduce inflammation and arthritis symptoms.

Vegetables such as broccoli and other cruciferous types of vegetables also help to fight against arthritis. Studies have also shown that olive oil can help to reduce pain and stiffness.

• Positive thinking

Having a positive mental attitude is a great way to help fight any health condition and combat pain.

Research into positive thinking has shown it can be used to help reduce the use pharmaceuticals and help improve your general well-being. Click here for our Top Tips to improve your mood.

If you or a loved one is struggling with day to day activities due to arthritis you may benefit from some extra help at home. Bluebird Care can offer tailored care and support to help you or a loved one with tasks that have become more difficult, allowing you or your loved one to live how they choose.

If you would like to find out more about our care and support services and how we can help with day to day activities please give our team a call on 02475 263300.