How to Reduce
Symptoms of Rheumatoid Arthritis through Lifestyle Changes
Swollen, tender
joints are hallmark signs of rheumatoid arthritis. Other unpleasant symptoms,
such as feeling stiff in the morning and tired throughout the day, can worsen
as the disease progresses. For many people, swelling and pain will begin in the
smaller joints, such as the joints in the fingers and toes, but will then
spread to other joints in the body as time goes by.
If you have rheumatoid
arthritis, you may experience increased severity in symptoms (flares) that
come and go. Many people who have the disease believe that diet and other
lifestyle changes play a role in the onset of some rheumatoid arthritis
symptoms. The scientific evidence linking diet with symptoms of the disease are
not conclusive, but any changes that you can make in your lifestyle to decrease
symptoms will be worth the effort.
Maintain a
Healthy Weight
Individuals who
have rheumatoid arthritis and are overweight will benefit from shedding those
extra pounds. The excess weight puts extra pressure on the joints of your body.
For people with arthritis, extra weight can dramatically increase the severity
of pain and swelling in the joints. Needless to say, maintaining a healthy
weight will offer a number of additional health benefits.
Exercise
Moderate
exercise will relieve stiff joints and swelling. Even people who do not have
rheumatoid arthritis, but who live sedentary lifestyles, will experience a
greater amount of stiffness, swelling and decreased range of motion than people
who exercise regularly. If you have rheumatoid arthritis, it is very important
to stay active in order to increase your strength, mobility, endurance, range
of motion, and general health. While exercise may be the last thing that you
feel like doing when you are experiencing pain, it is important to know that
exercise has the potential to provide a considerable amount of pain relief.
Stretching, yoga, resistance training, walking, training on an elliptical
machine, and swimming are all low-impact exercises that are safe for people
with rheumatoid arthritis to perform.
Dietary Changes
By consuming a
healthy diet, you will be able to benefit from effective weight management. In
addition, there are certain types of foods that several studies suggest help in
reducing rheumatoid arthritis symptoms. Foods rich in omega-3 fatty acids are
good for joint health. Consuming an array of fruits and vegetables will help
you to get the nutrients, including antioxidants, that are essential for
maintaining the overall health of your body. Antioxidants assist in protecting
against damage of the tissue surrounding the body’s joints.
Some studies
suggest that food allergies may exacerbate rheumatoid arthritis symptoms. If
you find that your symptoms worsen when you consume certain foods, such as
dairy, try an elimination diet. Experimenting with your diet will help you to
determine what foods aggravate your symptoms and what foods help in managing
your condition.
Increased
Relaxation
Stress can also
intensify rheumatoid arthritis symptoms. If you are a high-stress person, take
the time to discover what stress-reducing techniques work best for you. Deep
breathing, yoga, guided imagery, muscle relaxation, and meditation are just a
few relaxation techniques that you can try. Relaxation techniques such as yoga
will help you to achieve your exercise goals while also learning how to cope
with stress better.
If you are
currently in a constant battle against the symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis,
you may feel overwhelmed. Most importantly, it is important to maintain a
positive outlook and to work toward gaining greater control of your symptoms.
While you may not be able to completely eliminate all symptoms, you will be
able to manage your symptoms so that you can live a much higher quality of
life. Having a realistic sense of optimism and a positive attitude can go a
long way in optimizing your overall health and well-being.
Valerie Johnston is a health and
fitness writer located in East Texas. With ambitions of one day running a
marathon, writing for Healthline.com
ensures she keeps up-to-date on all of the latest health and fitness news.
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