Side sleepers should lie on the hip that isn't painful, and place one or more pillows between the legs. When lying on your back, place a pillow or rolled up blanket beneath your knees and possibly another under the small of your back. When sleeping on your back, place pillows beneath your knees.
Take a hot bath. A good, warm soak can serve a dual purpose, helping loosen up painful joints and releasing stress, making it the perfect bedtime ritual. “If I have time, I love taking a hot bath to relax before bed,” Angie says. “I'll soak up the heat as long as possible.”
Doctors do not fully understand why arthritis pain often worsens at night, but possible causes involve changes in the levels of hormones and cytokines, which are cell-signaling proteins, in the body. Daytime arthritis medication, which some people take during the morning, may also wear off by the evening.
Research on mice published in Nature Medicine found that sleep loss increased pain symptoms but napping helped reduce that pain, even better than a pain reliever such as ibuprofen.
Use of heat, such as applying heating pads to aching joints, taking hot baths or showers, or immersing painful joints in warm paraffin wax, can help relieve pain temporarily. Be careful not to burn yourself. Use heating pads for no more than 20 minutes at a time.
Studies suggest autumn may be the sweet spot for RA while winter and spring are the most challenging. A recent study found that humidity made pain worse, especially in colder weather. Another study linked sunny, dry days to less pain and joint swelling.
There is no cure for arthritis. But it's important to help keep joints working by reducing pain and inflammation. Work on a treatment plan with your healthcare provider that includes medicine and therapy. Work on lifestyle changes that can improve your quality of life.
Physical therapy and exercise can also help ward off the progression of arthritis. So if you've been sedentary out of fear you'll make your arthritis worse, talk to your healthcare provider. A physical therapist can give you a gentle, joint-friendly exercise plan.
Arthritis pain can cause stress, especially when you're trying to sleep. Relaxation can help ease the pain, so find a way to relax in a way that works best for you. Try activities like yoga, deep breathing, listening to some relaxing music, reading, or writing down your thoughts to reduce stress.
Give it a rest.
Ask anyone with arthritis and they'll tell you: The best thing you can do for your arthritis is to keep moving. However, when you are experiencing a flare, sometimes the best thing you can do for your arthritis is rest and allow your body to recharge.
Many people who have arthritis or a related disease may be living with chronic pain. Pain is chronic when it lasts three to six months or longer, but arthritis pain can last a lifetime. It may be constant, or it may come and go.
If you have morning stiffness, a hot shower or gentle stretching may help. Meanwhile, double-down on healthy habits, such as getting enough sleep, eating healthy foods and relaxing with deep-breathing exercises or meditation. And don't be too hard on yourself. “No one leads a totally stress-free life.
Outlook for people with rheumatoid arthritis
Nevertheless, with the right treatment, many people can live past the age of 80 or even 90 years while experiencing relatively mild symptoms and only minor limitations on day-to-day life.
It most commonly starts among people between the ages of 40 and 60. It's more common in women than men. There are drugs that can slow down an over-active immune system and therefore reduce the pain and swelling in joints. These are called disease-modifying anti-rheumatic drugs (DMARDs) and include biological therapies.
If you have arthritis, participating in joint-friendly physical activity can improve your arthritis pain, function, mood, and quality of life. Joint-friendly physical activities are low-impact, which means they put less stress on the body, reducing the risk of injury.
Healthy lifestyle choice – According to The World Health Organisation, Spain is one of the healthiest places in the world for people with rheumatism, arthritis, asthma and heart-related problems. Thanks to the perfect dry micro-climate, many expats benefit from a noticeable improvement in their health.
Your response may also depend on the type of arthritis you have. According to Professor Karen Walker-Bone, professor of occupational rheumatology at the University of Southampton, people with osteoarthritis generally prefer warm and dry weather, while those with rheumatoid arthritis tend to prefer the cooler weather.
Just as the effects of weather vary, the best climate may not be the same for all people. But based on research, it appears that for most people with arthritis, a warmer, drier climate may be optimal, such as that in parts of Texas, Arizona, Nevada and the Eastern Sierra region of California.
Bananas and Plantains are high in magnesium and potassium that can increase bone density. Magnesium may also alleviate arthritis symptoms.
Be active. Physical activity is a simple and effective, drug-free way to relieve arthritis pain. Being physically active can reduce pain, improve function, mood, and quality of life for adults with arthritis.