Weight Control and Diet

• Never eat before going to bed
• Avoid red meat and processed meat
• Eat fruit and veg daily
• Cut down on acidic food stuffs

Help Control Pain with Pharmacy Medications

Simple tasks may be hard to do when your joints hurt. Some self-help devices shown below may aid minimize pain, stress, discomfort and may help you in accomplishing some of your daily tasks.

• Stomach supports to lessen stress on your back
• Sock and shoe sliders to aid with getting dressed
• Orthotics to help you improve foot alignment
• Jar openers are very handy
• Large grips for pens, or use those made of rubber, garden tools and any other hand-held objects.

Cold and Hold Treatments

Cold or heat treatments can be used to decrease the pain and increase muscle flexibility when you have arthritis. Cold or heat treatments can be combined with any of the exercises prescribed by your physical therapist.

• Use it after exercise
• Aids with pain
• Use before any activity
• It will help increases blood flow
• Will help relax your muscles

You can purchase a gel packs that can be kept either cold in your freezer or heated in a normal microwave.

Change Your Lifestyle

• Avoid all impact-loading activities such as jumping, running, etc.
• Reduce any climbing activities such as stairs, climbs, etc.
• Avoid all activity that causes you any prolonged discomfort.
• Change your daily activities and make use of self-help devices
• Avoid stooping when upright.

How do I Remain Consistent When Doing Exercise?

• Look for an exercise class or gym; your doctor can advise you.
• Vary your exercise routine so you do not get bored, and rotate your exercises.
• Seek help from a health professional, such as a physio therapist, to help you in setting up an exercise program for you.
• Find an exercise friend, or use an exercise DVD.

Use Medication

A large part of the treatment for arthritis is medication. Many medications and drugs are used for treating arthritis, and they fall into a number of classes and categories.

• BRMs which are Biologic Response Modifiers
• DMARDs which are Disease-Modifying Anti-Rheumatic Drugs
• Topical medications such as cream, balms, gels, ointments, lotions
• Pain medications referred to as Analgesics
• Other drugs include treatments used for gout, fibromyalgia, and osteoporosis
• NSAIDs known as Non-Steroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drugs
• COX-2 Inhibitors
• Corticosteroids. Beware long term use will cause other problems such as Osteoporosis

Arthritis can range from an annoyance to chronic. If you require further advice please visit our Arthritis Forum

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