It’s important to work closely with your health care professional to find
out what steps are right for you. Generally, staying active and managing your
pain, along with a possible change in diet are good ways of alleviating your
discomfort. Your doctor may also suggest you see a physical therapist. If you
have severe symptoms, be sure to get plenty of rest. Having a set time to go to
bed and rise in the morning will help. Also, during the day, you may need to
relax for 15 minutes at a time to keep your pain under control. Be sure to plan
your day, pacing your activities so you won’t have too much to do at any one
time.
Although rest is important, be sure not to rest too much. A comfortable
range of motion each day will help keep your arthritis in check as much as
possible. Solicit help with tasks that become too difficult, or delegate some
tasks to others. You may find that using special kitchen devices or using canes
or walkers will improve your mobility. Your physician may request you eat a
healthy diet. A healthy diet consists of a diet low in salt, cholesterol, and
saturated fats, and high in fiber and complex carbohydrates.
You’ll want to
make sure you get enough vitamin D and calcium as well. Also, if you are
overweight, losing weight may help alleviate your symptoms. Most of all, have
regular check ups, and follow your doctor’s advice in managing your symptoms.