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