Ways to Improve Your Life with Arthritis
People living with arthritis are often dismayed by how much the disease steals from their lives. Physical limitations is imposed by arthritis- caused by chronic pain, chronic fatigue, stress and more. These can narrow their world and interrupt living a “normal life”. For being a person living with arthritis, all the energy is consumed just to accomplish ordinary tasks and usual daily routine activities. The focus of the person changes to just get going through the day. Arthritis starts taking control of the person, rather than the person taking control of the arthritis.
The basic questions which come to the mind are:
- How can you better manage your illness?
- What modifications can you make to your lifestyle to make living easier with arthritis?
- What actions can you take to gain and maintain control over the limitations imposed by arthritis?
- Stay Positive
Arthritis is an unpredictable disease, as is the future. Accepting new realities and redefining life within the limitations imposed by the disease is important for people with arthritis. Positive attributes can help you manage life with chronic arthritis.
- Living in a Normal World
- A positive approach to arthritis
- Arthritis can create awkward situations
- Trust your Doctor
Doctors play an important role in the treatment of any disease. Choosing a doctor is one of the most critical decision one makes when it comes to a specific condition. It is imperative that your needs are met and you queries regarding this disease is solved. So, find a compassionate, communicative doctor that you can trust.
- Accept the Situation
One doesn’t have to fight the reality about suffering from a disease. Don’t deny that you have arthritis, nor underestimate its effect on you. Once you accept that you have a chronic illness and that it is the part of your life, the decisions you make will be better for you and will ultimately improve your life.
- Set Goals
Set realistic goals for yourself. Through reflection and contemplation, you can assess what you not happy with and wok on those things to change. Be sensitive to your innermost feelings. You can focus and begin to make necessary changes and adjustments in your own life.
- Be Informed
If you have been diagnosed with arthritis, it is important to learn something about the disease. The importance of knowledge and understanding your health condition cannot be overstated.
- Protect your Joints
Joint protection can reduce stress on arthritic joints and decrease pain. There are several joint protection principles that, if followed, will help to conserve energy and preserve joint function.
- Manage your Medications
When you have a disease, your doctor will hand you a prescription, so it becomes your responsibility to know what medication is for and how to take it. If one is not able to remember to take the medicines, care giver must keep a regular tab on the medications. Medications may cause error which can occur out of many causes, but usually have one thing in common that they could have been prevented.
- Stay Active
The benefits of exercise, is not only restricted to a healthy person but also as a part of treatment program for managing arthritis, are well-known and documented. Despite knowing the benefits, many people with arthritis avoid regular exercise.
- Regular Check on Weight
Being overweight, even moderately, affects the weight bearing joints and can increase joint pain. As one walks, hips, knees and ankles bear three to five times the total body weight.
- Seek Support
Arthritis not only affects people who have the disease, but it also impacts the people around them, especially family and friends. People living with arthritis and those who have loved ones with the disease can gain insight and draw inspiration from others facing similar challenges.
