Living with arthritis can be very painful. It is often described as a sharp, burning sensation or extreme pressure at the joints. Arthritis is a condition that literally means “joint inflammation.” This inflammation can occur at any area where two bones meet. Some symptoms of arthritis are: pain, redness, joint swelling, trouble moving around, weight loss, rash or itch, difficulty breathing and fever, per the National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases. This pain limits patients in their daily tasks, and can prevent them from living healthy lifestyles.
Luckily, there are several ways to manage the symptoms in an attempt to make daily tasks tolerable. The Arthritis Foundation shares some insight on how to reduce pain.
Stay on top of your medications. Medications play a key role in the management of your pain. The prescriptions and over-the-counter medications can significantly control your pain and inflammation if taken responsibly.
Manage your weight. Your weight is a large influence on arthritis. The pressure that is put on the joints, specifically hips, knees and ankles, comes from the excess weight of your body. So, one way to counteract that is managing your weight by staying active. Participating in regular exercise is helpful when living with arthritis. Also, keeping a close eye on your diet will help to lose excess weight. Watch what you eat and the amount of servings you eat.
