5 Tips to Slow Arthritis and Reduce Pain

About 53 million adults in the United States have arthritis. That’s a big number, and it’s only going to increase as more and more people continue to live longer lives.

Arthritis is an umbrella term that encompasses more than 100 different inflammatory diseases that affect your joints. When the cartilage that protects and cushions the ends of your bones wears away, arthritis results. This can happen naturally through wear and tear as you get older, or as a result of an acute injury.

Many symptoms indicate arthritis. Among them are stiffness, swelling, decreased range of motion, and pain. These symptoms worsen as time goes on.

At Carolina Joint and Arthritis, Dr. Austin Yeargan and our team are here to help slow the progression of your arthritis and ease your pain in the process. Here are 5 tips on how to do just that.

1. Maintain a healthy weight

Keeping your weight down is one of the biggest factors in reducing your pain and slowing down your arthritis. Every extra pound of weight you carry adds an extra four pounds of pressure to your knees. Every pound you lose helps. If you lost 10 pounds, for example, you’d reduce the amount of pressure on your knees by 40 pounds.

2. Stay active

This may seem counterintuitive when your joints hurt, but physical activity actually helps keep them healthy and slows down arthritis. Exercise will strengthen the muscles that support your hips and knees and help control your weight. You can start small by walking every day, and work up to more advanced workouts. Stay consistent, and you’ll notice a difference.

3. Control your blood sugar

Keeping your blood sugar under control is important as well. High blood sugar levels will make your cartilage stiffer and more sensitive to stress. Plus, diabetes can cause inflammation that also leads to cartilage loss. Your goal is to preserve your cartilage, so keep your blood sugar low.

4. Protect your joints

Find ways in your everyday life to protect your joints and keep your arthritis from getting worse. Use your larger, stronger joints to take the load off your hand joints when you’re lifting an item; wear flexible, supportive shoes; and avoid high-impact activities. You should also plan ahead to cut down on unnecessary activities and organize your house to avoid extra bending and lifting. 

5. Live a healthy lifestyle

Do everything you can to keep arthritis from advancing. This means living as healthy a life as possible. Keep your diet clean, exercise consistently, develop good sleep hygiene, stop smoking, and manage your stress, and you’ll be well on your way to reducing pain and slowing your arthritis.

If you need professional guidance in handling your arthritis, Dr. Yeargan and our team at Carolina Joint and Arthritis will be glad to help. To schedule an appointment, call our Wilmington, North Carolina, office at 910-659-9597 or book a time online.