Arthritis is no longer a disease that only effects the elderly population. There are many young people today that are suffering from this. Read this article to learn more about arthritis and be knowledgeable about what you can do if you or a loved one are dealing with this. Use these DIY arthritis pain relief tips in a hopeful attempt not require orthopedic surgery at some point.
Women who suffer from arthritis should not wear high heels. While they may be attractive, high heels can be damaging to your body. This can increase torque at the knees and exasperate arthritis symptoms. You can keep you arthritic pain at a minimum by wearing comfortable shoes. Make your health a priority over style.
For arthritis sufferers, it is important to lose weight if you are overweight or obese. Excess weight just puts more strain and pressure on your arthritic joints, which can make your arthritis even worse. It is a proven fact that every pound you lose is four less pounds of pressure on your knees.
If you have arthritis, consider taking part in aquatic activities. Aquatic therapy carefully practiced in warm water is gentle on the joints and muscles which can be a soothing way to exercise while lessoning the pain of arthritis flare-ups. Ask your doctor if there a warm water therapy program could be helpful for you.
It is important that you get the flu shot if you suffer from arthritis. Just like with many other chronic illnesses, arthritis symptoms will get much worse if you get the flu and could even land you in the hospital. The flu shot is a simple shot that you only have to get once a year.
The right type of exercise is crucial. Not only does exercise keep your body in its best shape, it also builds up your overall flexibility. Low impact exercises can prevent your joints from becoming inflamed, but you have to take care not to overexert yourself. The moment you begin to experience pain, you should stop.
You may want to consider using fish oil if you suffer from arthritis. Omega-3 fatty acids, which come from fish oil, are effective in treating joint pain and inflammation. Many supermarkets, and any vitamin/supplement stores, will carry fish oil.
If you suffer from arthritis and you are going to exercise, be sure that you spend enough time stretching before you begin your workout routine. By jumping right into exercising, you are not giving your joints the stretching that they need so that they do not flare up and cause pain.
Surgery is not always the only solution to controlling the pain and swelling in your arthritic knees. Instead, try using a knee brace to see if it makes a difference first. Surgery should be the last resort, and knee braces have been proven to alleviate pain and reduce swelling. It is even possible to sleep while wearing a knee brace.
The sooner you speak to a professional about the issue, the sooner you can start treatment, which will be beneficial for you in the end. You will be able to slow the damage to all of your joints that arthritis causes if you get a good head start with treatment. Your best bet is to get specialized advice and start a treatment program as soon as you receive a diagnosis.
Do not be afraid to consider surgery. Many people who suffer with arthritis will initially balk at the thought of having surgery done to correct an issue. Let your doctor coach you on what may be the best method of treatment for you, and if surgery is an effective option, try not to immediately dismiss it.
You have learned at the beginning of this article that arthritis can affect anyone at any age. It is important that if you are suffering from this that you are aware of everything that is related to it, and what you can do to help make yourself feel better on a day to day basis.