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