How to Stop Arthritis From Progressing

About one in seven people suffer from some form of arthritis, according to the University of Washington Department of Orthopedics and Sports Medicine. The literal definition of arthritis is joint inflammation, and that is where most people feel the pain and stiffness. Those who have it experience arthritis differently, from mild to severe, and each day the symptoms can differ. Arthritis is usually a chronic, lifelong condition, and while it generally comes with age, some people can have symptoms earlier in life, especially if they fractured a bone in the past. You do not have to sit idly by, doing nothing for your arthritis. There are measures that you can take to manage this condition.

Instructions

• 1

  Try taking medication. Over-the-counter medications that provide arthritis relief for many people include glucosamine and chondroitin. These are natural ingredients that you have in your body in order to rebuild cartilage and joints. Products containing glucosamine and chondroitin will help lubricate and strengthen your joints, according to MoveFreeAdvanced.com. Other medications are anti-inflammatory drugs such as aspirin, ibuprofen, and naproxen. Your doctor may also prescribe you something.

• 2

  Get a corticosteroid shot. These injections help to reduce pain and swelling. You can only get several injections per year because they weaken bones and cartilage.

• 3

  Start exercising. You need to keep your joints moving so that they don't stiffen up any more. You will want to do some range-of-motion, endurance, and strengthening exercises. You should exercise at least 30 minutes 3 times a week. Do more if you can. Start slowly and build up. You should not experience pain that lasts more than two hours after you are done. If that happens, cut back on your exercising, but still do it as long as your health permits.

• 4

  Use a heating pad or ice packs. Heat and cold both work to relieve pain. Choose whichever you prefer. Heat will relax muscles that hurt, and cold will numb the pain. Some people find relief from hot tubs, others from holding a bag of frozen peas on the area. Limit your hot and cold treatments to 20 minutes.

• 5

  Pace yourself throughout the day. Do some activity and then rest.

• 6

  Get devices to assist you. Some people will wear a wrist or knee band or brace during the day. You may need a cane or a walker to help you.

• 7

  Lose weight if you are overweight. Losing the extra weight can help take some stress off of your joints, especially your knees.

• 8

  Consult with your doctor about surgery. According to the University of Washington Medicine website, sometimes people can get help by repairing the joint or bone deformity. Some people will get an artificial joint as a replacement.