Arthritis is one of the most common
chronic conditions in the world. It
can affect the joints, muscles and
connective tissues. It can cause pain, swelling
and stiffness. Although there is no cure for
arthritis, the symptoms can often be treated.
You can use self-care and pain medication to
treat arthritis symptoms. This can help you
cope with pain and stiffness.
Exercise Your Joints
Exercise is an important part of arthritis treatment.
It helps keep your joints moving and
your muscles strong. Exercise also helps keep
your bones and cartilage healthy. Try low-impact
exercises, such as walking, bicycling
and swimming. Stretching exercises and lifting
light weights are also helpful. Just go slowly,
rest when you need to and stop if you feel pain.
Maintain a Healthy Weight
Being overweight puts extra stress on your
joints. This makes pain worse. If you are overweight,
try to slim down by getting regular
exercise and eating a low-fat, high-fiber diet.
Your physician or a registered dietitian can
help you create a safe weight-loss program.
Self-Care Tips
Applying heat or cold may temporarily help
reduce arthritis pain. This may depend on the
person and the type of arthritis. Talk with
your physician to find out whether heat or
cold might be best for you.
Heat may be applied to a joint for 15 minutes to reduce pain. You might soak the painful area in a sink or tub filled with warm water. An ice pack wrapped in a towel can be used to reduce swelling and pain. Do not use cold packs if you have poor circulation. Try one method at a time and see which works best for you.
Medicines That May Help
If you have arthritis, your physician may recommend
nonprescription pain relievers. This includes
medicines such as aspirin (Bayer), acetaminophen
(Tylenol), ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin) or naproxen
sodium (Aleve). Talk with your physician to learn
which medications work best for you.
To Learn More
You can find an arthritis support group in your
area by contacting the Arthritis Foundation at
