Arthritis is an inflammation of the joints. There are two types of arthritis: Osteoarthritis or degenerative arthritis that occurs with growing age and rheumatoid arthritis that can afflict young people too. Medications for the management of the rheumatologic condition weaken your immunity, making you more vulnerable to infections and viruses.
Osteoarthritis usually onsets during the second half of our life. Due to the restrictions posed during the COVID-19 lockdown, most of our morning and evening walks have gone for a toss, here are some of the tips you can follow to tackle the osteoarthritis pain at home.
Stick To A Well Balanced Diet: Foods rich in vitamin C, Omega-3 fatty acids, low-fat dairy products, and green tea are essential as they help reduce inflammation and other effects of arthritis. It is important to avoid foods high in sodium, white bread, rice, and saturated and trans fat as they escalate the problem.
Stay Physically Active: Exercises that increase fitness and flexibility slow down the effects of arthritis. It is important to start with light exercises like aerobics or yoga and increase the volume and frequency slowly as rigorous exercise can lead to joint pain.
Get Good Sleep: Adequate rest is extremely helpful in soothing osteoarthritis pain. To ensure good quality rest, get natural sunlight upon waking and avoid blue light emitted from screens like phones, laptops,etc. 2 hours before sleeping.
Maintain Weight: Avoid weight gain but at the same time do not go into any extreme weight loss regime as it might increase the arthritis pain.
Protect The Joints: Use correct techniques when sitting, working, and lifting to protect joints from every day strains. For example, lift with your knees and hips — not your back- when picking up objects, use appropriate supports while maintaining a position for a long period of time, and carrying items close to your body to reduce the stress.
When to See Your Doctor
Arthritis is a progressive disease and so it’s imperative to visit your doctor or a rheumatologist in the initial stages as early intervention can greatly slow down the onset of arthritis.
