Living With Arthritis

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Arthritis is a chronic disease, so learning how to best manage it is essential. It takes time to find the best combination of medications, treatments, and lifestyle modifications that will allow you to cope with pain and other challenges. But by exploring and implementing these suggestions, you'll be one step closer to living your best possible life despite arthritis.

Group of people doing Tai chi in a park
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Emotional

When you are living with pain or restrictions to your usual activities, it is natural to have feelings of anxiety, fear, anger, and sadness at times.

Do what you can to minimize stress and avoid negativity. Discover what promotes positivity for you. It may be church, music, nature, or something else entirely. When you find what fuels positivity for you, be committed to carving out time for it. Cling to those experiences. A positive attitude can carry you through your most difficult times.

You may find yourself dwelling in "why me" or "I can't" mindsets. These thoughts may pop up from time to time, but being sad most days and not taking part in activities you once enjoyed are signs of depression. Talk to your healthcare provider about what you are going through emotionally. Talk therapy and/or medications may help.

Physical

You may have begun to limit what you do because of pain, but physical activities and general movement in daily life are important for health. You may have to find modifications for sports and activities you have long enjoyed, but you can take this as a prompt to develop new hobbies as well.

Eat Well

It is a physical challenge to live with chronic pain. Increased fatigue and energy depletion are among the consequences. You should eat a healthful diet to give your body every advantage and restore your energy.

While there is still research being done on the effects of diet on inflammation, most of the proposed anti-inflammatory foods are those that should be part of a balanced diet. With rheumatoid arthritis, avoid foods that you suspect trigger flares.

Lose Excess Weight

Carrying excess weight puts added stress on the joints, which can increase pain. To maintain your ideal weight, watch your calorie intake. If you are overweight or obese, cut daily calories by 500 to lose weight. You should participate in regular physical activity to burn calories as well, although eating less will have the most effect on weight loss.

It is a common misconception among people with arthritis that they can't do enough to affect their weight. Even small changes are significant. For each pound lost, there is a four-fold reduction in loading forces on your knee as you take a step.

Exercise

Even if you are at an ideal weight, you should be physically active. As many as one-third of arthritis patients get no exercise. They may think they can't exercise or believe it will exacerbate their arthritis symptoms. In reality, exercise helps maintain joint function, bone strength, and muscle strength. It is considered an essential part of treatment for hip and knee osteoarthritis, for example. Besides helping with weight management, exercise improves sleep and mood.

Any movement is better than no movement. Set realistic goals and build on those goals at a pace that is appropriate for you.

Exercise such as tai chi is easy on the joints and helps maintain balance and flexibility. Walking, cycling, and swimming are good options. Pool exercises are especially joint friendly.

Rest and Sleep Well

While you are encouraged to exercise regularly and to keep moving, you should realize that rest is necessary, too. Your body requires periods of rest in order to recuperate, and resting a painful joint can relieve pain. Prolonged periods of rest can work against you, though, and can actually promote pain and weakness. Strive for a balance between rest and activity.

Sleep disturbances are common with osteoarthritis, and researchers say that pain can lead to sleep disturbances, while poor sleep can exacerbate pain. This can turn into a vicious cycle. Be aware of good sleep habits to give yourself the best chance of a sufficient amount of sleep each night.

Social

You may not be able to do everything you could before your arthritis diagnosis, so ask for help when you need it. You may be surprised to discover that family and friends have been waiting for the request and are happy to lend a hand. Be upfront about what kind of assistance would be most useful to you.

Getting out and socializing or going for a day trip can do wonders for your mood. Visiting or dining with friends will keep you connected. You can also pamper yourself with a trip to the salon, a massage, or a spa treatment.

Local and online support groups can connect you with others who have arthritis. It is good to surround yourself with people who have firsthand experience with what you are going through. Often, you will discover new life hacks they use to cope with arthritis.

The Arthritis Foundation has online forums and local Live Yes! Connect Groups for adults. For live support, information, or referrals, call the Arthritis Foundation's 24-hour hotline at 1-844-571-HELP (4357).

Practical

According to the CDC, arthritis limits the activities of 23.7 million Americans. Among adults with arthritis, 6 million are limited in social activities, 8 million have difficulty climbing stairs, and 11 million have difficulty walking short distances.

Being organized and planning ahead can help you simplify your tasks and eliminate unneeded steps. This allows you to save time and energy to do the things you enjoy.

Accessibility Solutions

Adjustments and adaptations to your environment may help protect your joints and help reduce pain. It is important for you to make your environment at home and work accessible and comfortable.

Simple changes, such as swapping out a chair for one that makes it easier to go from sitting to stand, organizing shelves to keep frequently used items easy to reach, getting a supportive mattress, or purchasing other ergonomic equipment or assistive devices can make a big difference.

For one in three adults of working age (18 to 65 years), arthritis can limit the type or amount of work they are able to do. In the workplace, there may be accommodations as required by the Americans With Disabilities Act (ADA). Other adjustments to your work might be a different work schedule or a light-duty position.

Use Adaptive Aids

Look for ways to avoid stress on the joints affected by arthritis. For example, there are jar-opening solutions if arthritis in your hands makes that task difficult. Sock aids and long shoehorns can help you put on your socks and shoes if you have difficulty reaching your feet.

An occupational therapist can recommend many such items specific to your challenges.

Track Your Symptoms and Treatment

Tracking your symptoms of arthritis in a diary, journal, or app will allow you to contact your healthcare provider swiftly when there is a change. You can also note the questions that you want to ask your healthcare provider. Worsening symptoms may indicate that a treatment change should be considered. Early treatment offers the best chance for slowing disease progression.

If you are on multiple medications, set up pill minders or other organizers to ensure you are taking your medications at the right time. If you take any supplements or herbal products, track those as well and be sure you have discussed them with your healthcare provider.

Compliance with your treatment plan is critical to managing your condition. Be sure to track when refills are needed and upcoming appointments with your healthcare provider.

Work to establish the best relationship with your healthcare provider. This is very important when you have a chronic disease. You will need open and honest communication with your healthcare provderto get the best guidance and advice.

Frequently Asked Questions

  • What causes arthritis flares?

    he cause of arthritis flares varies according to type of arthritis. In rheumatoid arthritis, stopping the use of medication may lead to a resurgence of symptoms. In osteoarthritis and other forms of arthritis, stress, overexertion, fatigue, and weather changes are all triggers that can contribute to flares. In gout, uric acid levels have a direct connection to symptoms and can often be controlled with a combination of diet and medication.

  • How does exercise help arthritis?

    Exercise helps prevent the progression of osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis by keeping the joints flexible, preventing weight gain, and increasing strength in the muscles surrounding joints. In addition, because it’s a mood-booster, it can help with managing the stress and other emotions that may accompany coping with a chronic condition. Finding ways to tailor your activities to your symptoms—such as using ergonomic tools while gardening—can help you keep your activity levels up and maintain your health and well-being.

  • What are good at-home treatments for arthritis?

    Exercise, following a low-inflammation diet such as the Mediterranean diet, using heat or cold therapy, and over-the-counter and prescription medications can all help manage the symptoms of arthritis. Living in a temperate climate, if that’s possible, may also help ease symptoms.

6 Sources
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read our editorial process to learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
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  2. Thomas S, Browne H, Mobasheri A, Rayman MP. What is the evidence for a role for diet and nutrition in osteoarthritis?. Rheumatology (Oxford). 2018;57(suppl_4):iv61–iv74. doi:10.1093/rheumatology/key011


  3. Correia CS. Exercise and Arthritis. American College of Rheumatology.

  4. Parmelee PA, Tighe CA, Dautovich ND. Sleep disturbance in osteoarthritis: linkages with pain, disability, and depressive symptoms. Arthritis Care Res (Hoboken). 2015;67(3):358–365. doi:10.1002/acr.22459


  5. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Disabilities and Limitations.

  6. What Triggers an Arthritis Flare? Arthritis Foundation. N.d.

By Carol Eustice
Carol Eustice is a writer covering arthritis and chronic illness, who herself has been diagnosed with both rheumatoid arthritis and osteoarthritis.