Do you have arthritis? Consider these changes
TIMESLEDGER | QNS.COM | JUNE 4-JUNE 10, 2021 41
Arthritis is a common
health condition in the
United States, affecting
one in four adults according
to the Centers for Disease
Control and Prevention.
Characterized by the inflammation
of one or more joints,
arthritis can cause joint pain,
stiffness and swelling that can
limit one’s functionality and
impact daily activities. May is
recognized as National Arthritis
Awareness Month to bring
attention to the widespread
impact that arthritis has on
adults, children and families.
These changes can make a
difference for those living with
arthritis
Two of the most common
types of arthritis are osteoarthritis
(OA) and rheumatoid
arthritis (RA). For those living
with OA or RA, these changes
could help improve daily life
with arthritis:
Do simple exercises: Exercise
a few times a week to keep
your joints as functional as
possible. Find an activity you
enjoy doing, such as taking a
walk or swimming in a pool.
Be sure to check with your
doctor about what exercises
are right and safe for you.
Improve your sleep: According
to the patient organization,
CreakyJoints, there
are many lifestyle changes
you can make that may help
improve your sleep, even if
you suffer from arthritis pain.
You may want to try avoiding
caffeine in the evening, reducing
screen time before bed,
eating lighter meals at night
and keeping your bedroom
cool, dark and quiet.
Choose foods that fight
inflammation: The Arthritis
Foundation says that, while
there is no miracle diet for arthritis,
there are foods that can
help fight inflammation and
improve joint symptoms. A
diet rich in fruits, vegetables,
fish, nuts and beans but low in
processed foods and saturated
fat is not only great for overall
health, but can also help manage
disease activity.
Lose any amount of extra
weight: According to The Osteoarthritis
Action Alliance,
extra weight greatly increases
joint pain and damages the cartilage
of the joints, especially
in the hips and knees. Losing
excess weight, even in small
amounts, can help reduce joint
pain, avoid joint surgery and
become more active.
Speak to your physician
about medicines for pain
management
In addition to lifestyle adjustments,
a range of medicines
are available to help
relieve arthritis symptoms.
Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory
drugs (NSAIDs), such as
ibuprofen and naproxen, are
frequently used to ease inflammation
and pain caused
by arthritis.6
“While it is important
to have balanced pain management
with arthritis, it is
crucial to speak to your physician
often and openly about
your daily lifestyle. That
way, your physician can help
personalize your treatment
which may include NSAIDs
or other types of pain management
techniques,” said
Hasan Abed, MD, Anesthesiologist
and Pain Management
Specialist, Advanced
Pain Management located in
Timonium, Maryland.
If you take NSAIDs, it is important
to talk to your healthcare
professional because as
many as one in four regular
NSAID users are at risk to develop
stomach ulcers - sores
on the lining of the stomach
caused by stomach acid. In
addition to taking high doses
of NSAIDs, other risk factors
include taking NSAIDs with
aspirin, or while taking corticosteroids
or blood thinners,
having had a stomach ulcer in
the past and being older than
65 years of age. If you have
more than two of these risk
factors, you are considered at
high risk for stomach ulcers.
Gastroprotection with NSAIDs
can help lower the risk of
stomach ulcers
Over-the-counter and prescription
NSAIDs come in
many different forms. They
are available topically, as a lotion
or gel and can be taken by
mouth. Some NSAIDs include
a gastroprotective medicine to
help reduce the risk of getting
a stomach ulcer.
“Because every case of arthritis
is different, it is important
to talk to your physician
about pain management and
the potential risk of stomach
ulcers if you take NSAIDs,”
said Dr. Abed. “If appropriate,
your doctor may suggest you
take a medicine that can lower
the risk of getting a stomach
ulcer when taking an NSAID.”
For resources to help manage
your OA or RA visit www.
horizonconnectedhealth.com/
patients/.
— Courtesy of BPT
HEALTH
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