Did you know that arthritis affects more than 54 million adults in the United States alone? Arthritis, this ordinary yet not well-known disease, surely changes the lives of the elders. They feel uncomfortable and their mobility is limited. On the contrary, with the weapon of knowledge and practically helpful strategies, coping with arthritis pain appears to be not only possible but empowering to one. “Clutching” on our journey, let us together explore the world of arthritis and find solutions to help the elderly reduce pain.
What Exactly is Arthritis?
There are two types of arthritis prevailing among old people, osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis being the most frequent ones. Osteoarthritis is defined as the degeneration of the cartilage that normally shields the ends of your bones from wear, pain and swelling. By contrast, rheumatoid arthritis is an autoimmune disease that makes the immune system attack its body tissues, the joints being the most common victims, which results in inflammation and pain.
Fun Fact: Do you know that arthritis is not a condition that affects young people alone? Even though it is often associated with ageing, arthritis can affect people of all ages, right from children to young adults.
How can one manage pain?
Here are a few tips and tricks that will help to manage and control the pain:
Movement is Medicine: Regular light workouts build muscles and grease the joints with synovial fluid that lessens pain and clumsiness. Physical practices including yoga, swimming and gentle stretching help to increase adaptability and enhance joint mobility.
Mind Your Diet: Certain foods have either a high or low impact on arthritis symptoms. Paying more attention to anti-inflammatory foods such as fatty fish, nuts and leafy greens will also help to mitigate pain and inflammation or just taking them regularly helps pain and inflammation.
Heat and Cold Therapy: The utilization of hot pads or cold packs by suffering joints seems to be a quick painkiller for arthritis pain. Here we go with both hot and cold therapy to see what works for you specifically.
Embrace Assistive Devices: The ergonomic tools along with adaptive devices like jar openers and reachers help the patients with arthritis to do their daily tasks easily and without stressing joints.
Seek Support: Being timid is never good, it is also not smart thus do not deviate from getting help from the relevant health personnel, support groups, and loved ones on your arthritis pain management journey.
Conclusion
Arthritis doesn’t have to decide what older adults’ life looks like. Through the deepening of knowledge about arthritis, the use of pain management practices and embracing the holistic approach to health elderly ones can regain their self-determination and experience a high quality of life. Cheers to liberty from the chains of rheumatism and to new times decorated with comfort and vigour!