Rheumatoid Arthritis Is A Pain In The Joints
Sunday, August 26th, 2007 Subscribe To Our Feed
If you are one of the millions of Americans battling rheumatoid arthritis and the pain that it inflicts on daily life, then you are well aware of the pain that RA can bring. But the good news is that you don’t have to live this way. Don’t let RA steal your joy. You must take control over the things that you can in your life and some of those things that you can are lifestyle choices. Living a healthy life is a must for anyone suffering with a chronic condition such as rheumatoid arthritis.
It is very important that, when suffering from arthritis, that you learn to listen to your body and learn how to respond appropriately. You should know what causes your joint stiffness. You should learn how to set limits and how to make adjustments to your activities so that you can best avoid over doing it. Your body will thank you.
Another important thing to keep your body healthy and pain-free is to do some kind of regular physical activity. Think of exercise as an important part of your treatment. Many research studies have shown that some form of regular physical activity can help reduce the pain and discomfort associated with rheumatoid arthritis. Regular exercise can also help increase your flexibility, strengthen your muscles, reduce your fatigue, and provide you with an overall feeling of well being. Don’t be afraid of exercise or trying new physical activities because of your rheumatoid arthritis. For the most part, you’ll be fine as long as you learn to read your body’s signs and avoid overexertion.
Pilates and Yoga are both well suited to helping you to gain more flexibility while improving your range of motion. If neither of these exercises interest you, then talk with your Physical Therapist about other types of exercise that may be suitable for your joint health. Exercises that focus on strengthening, aerobic activity and flexibility are generally good choices.
Other good exercise choices that can help you to reduce the pain of rheumatoid arthritis are cycling, running or even walking. This standard aerobic exercises are great examples of exercises to benefit your heart health. Some RA patients enjoy doing exercises in the water since the water can help to further reduce joint strain. Just remember that whatever exercise you select, it should be one that helps you to increase your flexibility and at the same time increases your overall strength.
Of course, as with all exercise programs, before you get started with any new exercise program, you must talk with your health care provider to make sure that you are healthy enough to begin. You physician may have specific exercises that can help you to reduce your arthritis symptoms. A physical therapist may also be helpful when you are trying to determine the best exercises for you.
Here’s the thing. If you are looking to help control the pain of your arthritis, then you should be certain that you are taking care of yourself and eating well. Not only does it help you to stay healthy, but it also helps to keep your weight in control. It is very important to maintain your weight so that you can help to protect your joints. Excess weight on your joints is simply not acceptable.
A healthy diet consists of plenty of vegetables and fruits. It is also important to remember to eat plenty of lean proteins and low fat dairy products. Stay away from the fattening, although often far too yummy stuff. It is also important that you are eating enough health foods that contain the right nutrients, such as calcium and vitamin C. If you feel that your diet is not healthy enough to provide you with adequate nutrients, then talk with your health care provider about the possibility of taking supplements. Some rheumatologists believe that certain supplements can help to provide some relief from the symptoms of arthritis.
Well, if you are on the hunt for ways in which you can relieve some of the symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis, then first of all be sure that you are following all the rules of a healthy lifestyle. It is imperative that a healthy diet and healthy lifestyle are as much a part of your life as breathing. It is simply that important.
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For more information on healthy living, be sure to visit www.the-health-hub.com where you’ll find information on health topics such as foot pain, diet and exercise, arthritis & more You are welcome to reprint this article - but get your own unique content version here.
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