Once diagnosed with arthritis your doctor may suggest some lifestyle changes and a daily maintenance plan. Ensuring your pain will not interfere with your routine of work
Once diagnosed with arthritis your doctor may suggest some lifestyle changes and a daily maintenance plan. Ensuring your pain will not interfere with your routine of working or family time, medications should be taken so they are at their peak when activity is at its highest, you should get sufficient rest before and after your busy times,
Reduce pain and deformity protect fragile joints from further injury by keeping them properly aligned with splints or orthotics. Increased weight can put stress on joints; especially the hips and knees so maintain a healthy weight and do stretching exercises to stay limber.
Keep a log to gauge the pain, by drawing a sliding scale from zero to ten, ten being the worst pain you have ever felt or imagine, mark your pain on the scale. This allows both you and your doctor to measure your pain; providing valuable information when prescribing medication.
You will be surprised how quickly the pain fades when you do something to take your mind off the pain. Immerse yourself and concentrate on other things like crafts, music, painting, meditation, prayer, and spending time with family and friends.
When the pain is intense, try hot and cold treatments. Place either on the sore limb for 15 to 20 minutes 3 to 6 times a day. Never apply directly to your skin, place a damp cloth between the heat or cold and your bare skin
Moist heat pack, hot water bottle, commercial gel-pack or a wet towel heated in the microwave for one minute.
· Caution:If inflammation, poor circulation, local hemorrhage, or malignancy is present,
heat is to be avoided completely - monitor skin color after each application.
A cold bag of crushed ice, frozen peas/corn, or gel-pack;
· Caution. Check your skin, every few minutes to avoid redness. Do not use this cold
treatment. if you have, Reynaud’s Phenomenon and take care in holding cold objects.
Prescribed medication for osteoarthritis or rheumatod arthritis provides relief from pain, and inflammation and improves symptoms.
NSAIDS, Cox-2 selective inhibitor, Corticosteroids, Biological response modifiers. Medications to be taken as prescribed. Tell your doctor of any allergic reaction.
Glucosomine, Chrondroitin, MSM Devil’s Claw, Willowbark, Feverfew, and Vitamin E are natural health products, like the prescription medication, can also have side effects. Check with doctor or pharmacist.
The Arthritis Society offers forums, support groups, updates on medications and treatments.
For information, go to www.arthritis.ca; www.americaarthritis.org
