Rheumatoid Arthritis Self Care

Rheumatoid arthritis treatment typically involves using a combination of medical treatments and self-care strategies. The following self-care procedures are important elements for managing the disease:

• Exercise regularly. Different types of exercise achieve different goals. Check with your doctor or physical therapist first and then begin a regular exercise program for your particular needs. If you can walk, walking is a good starter exercise. If you can't walk, try a stationary bicycle with little or no resistance or do hand or arm exercises. A chair exercise program may be helpful. Aquatic exercise is another option, and many health clubs with pools offer such classes.
• Manage your weight. Excess weight puts added stress on joints in your back, hips, knees and feet — the places where arthritis pain is commonly felt. Excess weight can also make joint surgery more difficult and risky.
• Eat a healthy diet. A healthy diet highlights on fruit, vegetables and whole grains can help you manage your weight and maintain your overall health, allowing you to deal better with your arthritis. However, there's no special diet that can be used to arthritis treatment. It hasn't been proved that eating any specific food will make your joint pain or inflammation better or worse.
• It's good to move each joint in its full range of motion every day. As you move, maintain a slow, steady rhythm. Don't jerk or bounce. Also, remember to breathe. Holding your breath can temporarily deprive your muscles of oxygen and tire them. It's also important to maintain good posture while you exercise. Avoid exercising tender, injured or severely inflamed joints. Stop if you feel new joint pain. New pain that lasts more than two hours after you exercise probably means you've overdone it. Call your doctor if pain continues for more than a few days.
• Apply cold for occasional flare-ups. Cold may dull the sensation of pain. Cold also has a numbing effect and reduces muscle spasms. If you have poor circulation or numbness, don't use cold treatments. Techniques may include using cold packs, soaking the affected joints in cold water and ice massage.
• Apply heat. Heat will help ease your pain, relax tense, painful muscles and increase the regional blood flow. One of the easiest and most efficient ways to apply heat is to take a hot shower or bath for 15 minutes. Other options include using a hot pack, an electric heat pad set on its lowest setting or a radiant heat lamp with a 250-watt reflector heat bulb to warm specific muscles and joints. Don't use heat treatment if your skin has poor sensation, or if you have poor circulation.
• Take your medications as recommended. By taking medications regularly instead of waiting for pain to build, you will lessen the overall intensity of your discomfort.
• Practice relaxation techniques. Hypnosis, guided imagery, deep breathing and muscle relaxation can all be used to control pain.