Treatment Of Osteoarthritis By Lifestyle Change

Osteoarthritis is a chronic disease that impairs joint health. It occurs in people over the age of 60, but may develop in adults of any age. There is no cure for this disease, but the treatment of osteoarthritis is important for a better quality of life.

Fortunately, the treatment of osteoarthritis has advanced significantly, and in addition to medications (such as painkillers), there are other recommended products for controlling symptoms.

Now, we’ll talk about the best tips for treating osteoarthritis with lifestyle changes.

Lifestyle treatment of osteoarthritis

Osteoarthritis develops as a result of gradual damage to the joints. This can happen due to aging or some injury.  Symptoms of the disease include pain, stiffness, and decreased mobility.

Although the severity of the condition varies from patient to patient, it usually affects a person’s quality of life. Therefore, the goal of treatment for osteoarthritis is to control the progression of the disease and relieve symptoms.

1. Exercise

Exercise increases a person’s well-being in general, and by improving the condition of the joints, it promotes mobility.

The pain caused by osteoarthritis often reduces the ability to make certain movements. However, a sedentary lifestyle is not a good solution. Regular but low-intensity exercise strengthens the muscles in the joint area, and thus can better combat complications.

About 20-30 minutes of daily exercise will help reduce stiffness as well as prevent periods of severe pain. For example, you should walk, swim or stretch, and you can also try yoga and taichi.

2. Weight loss

Being overweight or obese can accelerate joint deterioration in people with osteoarthritis. In fact, being overweight is a possible cause of the development of the disease. It is therefore clear that efforts should be made to reduce overweight.

A healthy weight puts less pressure on the joints, and thus the pain cannot escalate. This will also reduce other health problems, such as cardiovascular disease and metabolic disorders.

3. Good night’s sleep

Union problems can make ailments worse and lower your quality of life.

Sometimes the pain caused by osteoarthritis affects the quality of the night’s sleep, but it is still very important to try to sleep properly every night.  Rest is key to swelling in the joints.

If sleep is a problem due to osteoarthritis, try the following tips:

• Make sure the room is well suited for sleeping (decent mattress, suitable temperature, etc.).
• Avoid working in the bedroom.
• Before going to bed, stay away from distractions such as computers, cell phones, and tablets.
• Enjoy foods that promote sleep.
• Eat healthy and low-calorie dinners.
• Enjoy relaxing drinks such as passion flower or virma root stew.

4. Drink natural brews

Medicinal teas are not a substitute for medications prescribed by a doctor, but they can be helpful in treating osteoarthritis.

Some drinks are recommended for their anti-inflammatory effects, such as ginger and turmeric stew or green tea.

5. Heat and cold treatment

This treatment is very effective in controlling the inflammatory condition of the joints.

Heat helps to open blood vessels, and thus it improves blood circulation. This improves the transport of nutrients to the tissues affected by osteoarthritis. The heat also produces a calming effect, so it reduces stiffness.

Coldness instead closes blood vessels and reduces swelling and pain.  Therefore, it is well suited to complement the effects of heat.

• First, place a towel or hot wrap moistened with hot water on the area to be treated (however, be careful that the skin does not burn).
• Let the heat work for 20 minutes while you are at rest.
• Cold treatment, on the other hand, consists of putting several pieces of ice in a cloth or bag, and then putting them on your skin for 20 minutes.

Note: Avoid putting ice directly on the skin as this is harmful. So make sure the wraps stay well on the towel first. When using heat, make sure the temperature is tolerable.

Finally

Osteoarthritis is a chronic condition that can get worse if it is not treated in time. Therefore, it is very important to treat your symptoms and see a doctor if you find yourself suffering from this common ailment.

The combination of medications and good everyday habits produces the best results.