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