The Ultimate Guide to Arthritis

10. Protecting overall health

Effectively managing arthritis can have significant benefits to your overall health. Talk to your doctor to learn more about the available treatments and determine a combination of pharmacological treatments that can help alleviate your arthritis pain. In addition to eating a healthy, balanced diet rich in fruits, vegetables, lean proteins, and healthy fats, establishing a daily exercise routine can help maintain a healthy weight, which can improve arthritis symptoms.

Physical activity can help maintain range of motion, decrease bone loss, and reduce pain and swelling. It can also help reduce the risk of hypertension, coronary artery disease, high cholesterol, obesity, osteoporosis, and colon cancer.

Exercise can increase energy by improving sleep quality and offers many psychological benefits. Immediately after exercising, people may feel an improvement in mood and anxiety. In the long term, regular exercise can help lower baseline levels of anxiety and improve mild depression.

Before exercising, use warm compresses to loosen up the joints, and take five to ten minutes to warm up before getting started. Listen to your body and stop if you feel any pain.

When you're done, ice your joints, especially if you're experiencing swelling. Actively taking steps to manage your arthritis every day can help prevent long-term complications and help you stay active and independent.