Help For Osteoarthritis

Osteoarthritis can greatly change your lifestyle for the worse by making you feel like the disease is in charge of you and that you’ve lost control of your future. There is at present no cure for this degenerative joint disease that is commonly found in older people.

The exact cause is unknown but genetics plays a part, as does heavy use of joints over a long time period.

If you’ve recently been diagnosed with osteoarthritis, you may be feeling isolated and frustrated especially since it can be painful and greatly limit your mobility. Fortunately there is help for osteoarthritis sufferers. There are ways to manage the pain and restrictions that result from this debilitating ailment.

Some useful coping approaches  that work well if you are living with osteoarthritis are:

Get a Positive Attitude

Educate yourself about osteoarthritis and what you can do to maintain a positive attitude. If you develop a plan to stop it interfering too much with your lifestyle it can greatly reduce the impact that arthritus has on your life.

Talk with your health care provider about medications to control the pain and restrictions and talk to him about a plan for your everyday life. When you take charge of the situation you will feel better and your attitude and outlook should improve.

Lose Weight

Weight increases trauma to damaged bones and joints, so if you’re overweight, try to shed those unwanted pounds. It can serve to relieve some of the pressure and the pain associated with osteoarthritis.

Take Yoga Exercise

Yoga is a suitable gentle exercise for those who have joint osteoarthritis. You can join a club that offers yoga classes or purchase CDs and DVDs that offer step-by-step lessons. There is plenty of information to be found online about yoga exercises. Swimming and water exercises are also gentle on the joints as is easy walking. Just keep it low key and operate at a slow pace.

Use Hot and Cold Packs

Hot and cold packs can help you manage the pain suffered with osteoarthritis. Heat packs (warm) should be applied to the affected joint for about 20 minutes at a time and several times a day, if needed. Ice packs are helpful if your joints are inflamed. A word of warning – do not use cold packs if you experience poor circulation.

Relax and Meditate

If you feel tired during the day take a rest; a short nap, if possible, and just relax your muscles and joints. Other techniques such as deep breathing should also help. Don’t overdo it and become fatigued or experience pain due to over exerting your body.

Find Helpful Tools

If you are living with osteoarthritis, many everyday tasks including walking and using tools and kitchen utensils, can become very difficult. You’ll be able to find tools that assist you in these everyday tasks – such as a walking cane, grippers and extenders that can help you reach for items stored in top shelves in cabinets or closets, or items on the floor. Check out specialist catalogs and health supply stores and be sure to ask your doctor what he recommends.

The most important thing to remember if you're looking for help for osteoarthritis is to take charge of your life.

Do not allow the pain and restrictions caused by this ailment make you give up and adopt a sedentary lifestyle. Take your medications regularly, and exercise regularly, to maintain as normal a lifestyle as possible. But also give yourself some slack, and if you feel the need simply pull out of activities or plans that you don’t think you can cope with.

Active Aging