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5 Effective Ways For Dealing With Arthritis

Some diseases cling to us for life and arthritis is one of them. Yes, when one must think of it, having arthritis can be very overwhelming and daunting. Unfortunately, there is a lack of awareness of the types of arthritis and therefore, this disease is often treated as one type only. Also, with rumour mills spilling over with wrong advice, there is much chaos, unrest and confusion surrounding the disease.There are at least 18 crore Indians who suffer from arthritis, irrespective of the type or stage of the disease. Here are five critical ways to manage the disease –

1. Meet the Doctor

There is no point in self-medication or going herbal. It is best to speak to the doctor first, seek a proper diagnosis and medication. Before approaching the right treatment, one should know the type of arthritis they have and what are the common triggers.

2. Don’t be a couch potato

Arthritis is painful. It also restricts one’s movements as it makes one stiff. However, this is no excuse not to move at all. In fact, no action will make things worse. If one has to sit for more extended periods, they should keep changing their positions. Tilting the neck sideways in short breaks is a good idea too. One should stand, do some stretching, walk around a bit too.Also Read: Vitamin D3 Deficiency Symptoms: A Comprehensive Guide to Signs and Management options

3. Exercise is a must

Do simple exercises. The focus should be on cycling, walking, stretching. One can try swimming as well.Read More: What is The Best Time to Exercise?

4. Don’t self-medicate

To alleviate pain, we all resort to OTC medicines. While they do help in relaxing muscle pain and joint pain, they may not be effective in curing severe arthritic pain.

5. No smoking

This is a must- smokers are more prone to rheumatoid arthritis. If the patient already has rheumatoid arthritis, smoking will worsen their condition. For smokers, arthritis treatment is far more aggressive. Do inform your doctor of past allergies to medication, if any.Read more on how to quit smoking cigarettesRead More: 6 Early Signs & Symptoms of ArthritisDisclaimer:  The information provided here is for educational/awareness purposes only and is not intended to be a substitute for medical treatment by a healthcare professional and should not be relied upon to diagnose or treat any medical condition. The reader should consult a registered medical practitioner to determine the appropriateness of the information and before consuming any medication. PharmEasy does not provide any guarantee or warranty (express or implied) regarding the accuracy, adequacy, completeness, legality, reliability or usefulness of the information; and disclaims any liability arising thereof.Links and product recommendations in the information provided here are advertisements of third-party products available on the website. PharmEasy does not make any representation on the accuracy or suitability of such products/services. Advertisements do not influence the editorial decisions or content. The information in this blog is subject to change without notice. The authors and administrators reserve the right to modify, add, or remove content without notification. It is your responsibility to review this disclaimer regularly for any changes.