Arthritis

Effective arthritis treatment

Many people suffer with arthritis, a painful inflammation of joints. While arthritis isn’t completely preventable or curable, treatment for arthritis is available to help ease the symptoms of the condition. Arthritis relief comes in many forms, from pills to topical applications to surgery. You and your doctor can discuss your age and lifestyle, to decide which arthritis pain treatment is best for you.

Treatment for Arthritis

The best way to treat arthritis is to remove the cause of it. Unfortunately, osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis are examples where this approach doesn’t work, because the cause probably can’t be cured. But even in these cases, arthritis relief is available and aims to reduce pain and discomfort.

Exercise is a key factor in arthritis pain treatment. Keeping your joints limber can help with pain a great deal. Range-of-motion exercises and strength training keeps your joints flexible. It may be helpful to consult a physical therapist, particularly if you have rheumatoid arthritis, so that you can make sure you’re doing the right exercises properly.

Getting enough sleep can help improve your arthritis, just as it can improve your overall health. When sleeping, make sure you’re in a comfortable position that doesn’t put pressure on the joints affected by arthritis. Stress reduction is good for you overall, but it can help as a treatment for arthritis, too.

The First Steps in Arthritis Pain Treatment

There are a variety of over-the-counter medications that can help with mild to moderate arthritis pain, such as pills that contain acetaminophen, chiefly Tylenol. Tylenol is recommended by the American Geriatrics Society as the first step in arthritis relief for those who suffer from osteoarthritis. Other pain relievers like naproxen sodium (Aleve), ibuprofen (Advil) and aspirin may alleviate the pain temporarily, but can cause some other health issues, especially after prolonged use. Be sure to discuss them with your doctor first – they may prefer to prescribe an arthritis pain treatment instead.

Supplements are available that offer some people arthritis relief. Glucosamine and chondroitin may help reduce symptoms of osteoarthritis, but there’s no guarantee or clinical studies that prove them to be effective. Vitamin E, selenium and omega-3 fatty acids are important for your overall health and some claim they help with arthritis pain treatment.