Each May we recognize National Arthritis Awareness Month. During Arthritis Awareness month, we should take the time to recognize the impact arthritis has on individuals who live with it everyday.
The number one cause of disability in the United States is arthritis, which affects more than 50 million Americans.1 While there is no cure for arthritis or joint pain, the symptoms can be managed through treatment, lifestyle changes, and education.
These simple tips will help you reduce symptoms and get relief so you can do the things you enjoy.
Tip # 1 Stay Active:
Adults with arthritis can improve their quality of life, function, mood, and pain by being physically active. By exercising regularly, you can improve your sleep, maintain bone health and brain health, as well as reduce your weight.
Tip # 2 Manage Your Weight:
Keeping a healthy weight is especially important for individuals with arthritis. Weight loss is especially beneficial for people who are overweight or obese since it reduces stress on weight-bearing joints such as the hips and knees. Losing as little as 10 to 12 pounds can reduce pain and improve physical function for arthritis patients.
Tip # 3 Protect Your Joints:
Arthritis can be caused or worsened by joint injuries. Consider easy activities on the joints, such as walking, bicycling, and swimming. As a result of these low-impact activities, there is a low risk of injury and the joints are not overworked.
Tip #4 Eat an Inflammatory Diet:
By eating a diet of anti-inflammatory foods, your body might experience less inflammation and less pain. It is possible to reduce inflammation in the body with anti-inflammatory foods that contain vitamins A, C, D, and E. These foods are also rich in omega-3 fats. Eat foods like fish, nuts, garlic, turmeric, green tea, fruits and vegetables.
Tip # 5 Practice Mindfulness:
Meditation, mindful breathing, or progressive relaxation can relieve stress and help you feel better. Scheduling a massage or acupuncture is also a great tool for pain management.
Tip #6 Stop Smoking and Limit Alcohol:
Smoking and drinking both increase inflammation. Drinking and smoking increase arthritis pain and damage organs.
While you can't prevent or cure arthritis, you can reduce your risk factors and protect your joints by following these tips.
Newport Care provides state-of-the-art orthopedic care while offering the latest advancements in orthopedics. Please visit www.newportbeachortho.com for all appointments and inquiries.
NewportCare Medical Group is a comprehensive specialty group located in Newport Beach, California specializing in advanced non-surgical and surgical treatments for a wide range of orthopedic conditions.
