How to Live With Arthritis
How to Live With Arthritis
By D Harrison
There are millions of people globally who are afflicted with arthritis to a minor or major degree – as there is no ‘cure’ for this, you have to learn to live with it.
All human beings have joints in the body and often times these joints get affected with the passing of time. It is not like all people suffer from arthritis, but for those who do, it can be a chronic battle with pain.
Arthritis is actually an umbrella term for all diseases which affect the joints – osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, spondylitis and gout are only a few of the names given to joint disorders which can affect any joint in the body. Some of these disorders are more painful than others.
As arthritis is rarely curable, the disease can only be treated and managed. However, very often what happens is that a person who has any kind of arthritis (there are 100 types) may have good days and bad days. Sometimes a person may go into remission for long periods of time and be almost normal, but when there is a flare-up the pain returns. There are many different ways of managing and living with arthritis.
Pain killers
When pain killers can help you manage to lead an otherwise active life, then you can take pain killers under medical supervision. There are analgesics and NSAIDs (non-steroid anti-inflammatory drugs) which can be had to reduce the pain. However, as these have various side effects, you have to take them with caution for long periods of time.
At times an injection at the site of the pain can also help – talk to your doctor about it. The injection may be a steroid or a nerve block which will reduce or eliminate pain in certain conditions.
Exercise
There are various exercises that arthritis patients can and should do under the guidance of a physiotherapist or a yoga instructor. These may be range of motion exercises, endurance exercises, strengthening exercises, tai chi or other exercises under medical supervision. Exercise will help keep you fit and healthy, reduce stress and enable you to use your joints longer.
Apart from exercise – and you should do whatever you can, and never when you are in too much pain – you can also try massage therapy, hot and cold water and swimming if possible.
Some people benefit from alternating hot and cold packs. Others use anti-inflammatory sprays, ointments and creams for pain relief.
Alternative remedies
Some people find a great deal of relief from alternative remedies like naturopathy, holistic healing, acupuncture, ayurveda, homeopathy, Chinese herbal medicines and other herbal remedies. You would just have to try out various remedies to see if anything benefits you.
Many people with arthritis get relief from nurtraceuticals like glucosamine and New Zealand’s green lipped mussel. If you join a support group on the net you can get a lot of support as well as information about which therapies are beneficial.
Machine-aided therapy and support aids
When there is a localized flare-up, machines like the transcutaneous nerve stimulator (TENS) may help. Ultrasound waves, too, sometimes reduce pain. Some physiotherapists use hot wax baths to help the pain.
If you have sudden flare-ups you may benefit by using a hot water bag, knee, ankle, back (lumbar) braces or cervical collars. If walking is difficult, do not discount using a walker for short periods of time, or use a cane.
Working with arthritis
It is not necessary that a person suffers from joint disorders only when retired. Arthritis can start at any time. If it has an impact on your employment then you need to consider how best you can manage. You have to learn within your limitations. If you have a physically demanding job, you may want to consider moving to a desk job.
If arthritis is interfering with your working life, you have to take your employer into confidence. Also check out what disability benefits, if any, you are entitled to.
At home, you can use many assistive devices and aids to move around and carry on your housework. If things get really difficult, you can call for help in various chores in the house, whether it is cleaning or reaching places you no longer can yourself.
If you live in a house where you have to climb stairs, you can consider getting a chair lift, or shifting to a house without stairs, when it becomes difficult for you to climb up or down stairs. Moving to a warmer area may also help.
It is extremely important to maintain a positive mental attitude and keep stress at bay. If you eat well, do your exercises, maintain a range of movements which is possible, work within the limitations of your pain, you can take control of your life with arthritis, playing a small part in it.
D Harrison is author of Natural Arthritis Medication which has information on different forms of arthritis; treating the condition; natural remedies and ways to cope with the condition and try to live as pain free life as possible.
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