| Living with arthritis can be life | | | | joints by taking warm baths or, where |
| changing but it's not a life sentence. | | | | appropriate, applying cold compresses to |
| Here are a few suggestions that may make | | | | affected joints and perhaps considering |
| things easier. | | | | therapies such as osteopathy can all |
| Eat a healthy diet. This is reckoned | | | | give significant relief from pain. Also |
| important when you have arthritis - as | | | | get sufficient sleep - pain is harder to |
| well as providing your body with | | | | manage if you are tired. |
| essential nutrients it will help you | | | | Live an independent life. Not so easy if |
| maintain a healthy weight, thus reducing | | | | you suffer from acute arthritic |
| stress on your joints. Even losing a few | | | | conditions but help is available. The |
| pounds can make a difference that you | | | | mental lift that any person affected by |
| will notice. | | | | the mobility problems that arthritis can |
| Your diet should avoid red meat, cream | | | | cause is well worth the effort of trying |
| and dairy products such as cheese. Try | | | | to stay in control of your life. |
| instead to eat foods from the following | | | | Again, tell family members that yes, you |
| groups - fruit, vegetables, pasta, white | | | | need help but don't require babying. |
| meat, fish and brown rice. | | | | Check out the internet for arthritis |
| It's also a good idea to try to eat | | | | support groups in your area - you may be |
| 'oily' fish such as sardines, salmon, | | | | surprised at the support available. |
| tuna, herring and mackerel - these | | | | Make use of technology. Don't feel that |
| provide omega-3 EFA's (essential fatty | | | | by using a powered aid such as an |
| acids) which are thought to ease | | | | electric scooter or wheelchair to get |
| arthritic symptoms. | | | | around you're 'beaten'. It's an |
| In the home. Don't be afraid to change | | | | adaptation to a condition and you have |
| things to suit you - let your family | | | | no need to feel guilty about wanting an |
| know which tasks you find difficult and | | | | easier life. You paid your taxes, didn't |
| which you can still manage easily. Use | | | | you? |
| mobility aids where you need them - hand | | | | The many aids for those experiencing |
| rails, lever taps, trolleys for moving | | | | problems of mobility is today far more |
| things around and long-handled sponges | | | | extensive than you may realise. From the |
| for bathing all rank high on simple aids | | | | powered scooters mentioned above to |
| to keep you mobile and independent. | | | | kitchen utensils with thick, grippy |
| Don't be too proud to ask for help. | | | | handles - the choices are endless. And |
| Having arthritis isn't your fault! | | | | the best thing is that these items are |
| Occupational therapists can help you to | | | | not made with 'invalids' in mind - just |
| find new, easier ways of doing everyday | | | | people whose life has changed. |
| tasks. They are specially trained for | | | | That change may not be perceived by the |
| this - so why not take advantage of | | | | arthritis sufferer to be for the better |
| their knowledge? | | | | - indeed, it would be patronising to |
| Pain management. Pain is a western | | | | suggest that arthritis improves anyone's |
| taboo, yet the stark fact is that | | | | lot - but at least it can now be adapted |
| arthritis can be a very painful | | | | to and indeed combated, giving the |
| condition. Modern analgesics can help a | | | | person concerned a realistic approach to |
| great deal, but research shows that | | | | living with this sadly common condition. |
| keeping active, looking after your | | | | |