Tips to Treat Rheumatoid Arthritis
Rheumatoid arthritis is an autoimmune disease that can cause joint pains. If a joint is affected in one of your arms or legs, the same joint in the other arm or leg will probably be affected, too. If you’re struggling to ease your RA pain, here are some healthy habits that you must follow:
1. Eat Well
Eating a well-balanced diet is beneficial for your whole body and keeps you healthy; however, it doesn’t treat rheumatoid arthritis. Ensure to eat plenty of vegetables, whole grains, fish, fresh fruits, and proteins. Adding fish oil, tea, and nuts to your diet may help with swollen joints. Also, limit your sugar and salt intake as they can worsen your joint issues.
2. Stay Active
Doing 150 minutes per week of moderate-intensity aerobic physical activity improves your ability to manage RA pain.
A daily exercise of 30 minutes is necessary to stay fit and healthy. It helps move your joints well and strengthens the muscles around them. You can do different physical activities, including brisk walking, running, jumping jacks, and weight training. These activities promote bone strength and work on your joints too. If you don’t know which exercise you should prefer, consult with a physical therapist or RA experienced trainer to make a workout plan for you.
3. Pace Yourself
There is no doubt that you should stay active to stay healthy. Ensure to take out some time for rest as RA can make you feel tired. Don’t try to do more than you can handle. Take breaks when you need to. Get at least 8 hours of sleep at night, plus a nap during the day if you feel drained.
4. Try Physical Therapy
A few therapy sessions can make a huge difference in your life. Contact an experienced physical therapist to help understand exercises that can make you feel stronger and move better. If you’re having problems getting around or doing simple tasks, ask your therapist about equipment that can help.
5. Limit your alcohol intake and quit smoking
Smoking and drinking worsen your arthritis pain and make your treatment less effective. An occasional drink may be okay for some people but check with your doctor since alcohol can affect RA drugs in a way that damages your liver.
6. Use Coolness and Warmth
If you feel pain in your joints, you can take a warm water bath/ shower. You can also use a heating pad to ease your sore joints and tense muscles. In addition to this, you can apply a cold pack or cool compress to treat fiery joints. You can also try switching between heat and cold to get the best results.
Dealing with RA pain can be tough! Consult with your healthcare provider to treat Rheumatoid Arthritis. Your doctor may recommend some treatments to ease your fatigue, pain, and stiffness. You also need to know that it may take a few weeks or months to feel better.
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