Arthritis pain can be crippling, making it difficult for those who suffer from this chronic disease to perform normal daily tasks. We’ve discovered a few simple, natural hacks to help you find relief.

Understanding arthritis

Arthritis is not generally thought of as a disability, but it is in fact the nation’s #1 cause of disability, affecting more than 50 million adults and 300,000 children in the U.S.. Arthritis is often debilitating and can prevent sufferers from working or performing their normal everyday activities.

There are over 100 classifications of arthritis, but the two main types include rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and osteoarthritis (OA). Rheumatoid arthritis is an autoimmune disorder in which the body’s immune system attacks healthy joint tissue. Osteoarthritis occurs due to natural wear and tear on the joints.

When left untreated, RA and OA can not only result in serious joint damage but can also have adverse effects on your vital organs. There are several treatment methods to help manage the symptoms of arthritis, and many of them are simple, natural lifestyle changes you can make on your own.

Understanding the long-term effects may help motivate those who suffer from arthritis to take the necessary steps in controlling and treating their condition.

Symptoms of arthritis

Arthritis causes more than just joint pain. It can lend to a variety of symptoms that make it difficult to perform everyday tasks, including but not limited to:

• Pain and immobility
• Fatigue
• Skin rashes
• Difficulty breathing
• Fever
• Kidney problems
• Anemia
• Low thyroid function
• Increased risk of contracting viruses and virus-related conditions

Common risk factors of arthritis

There are a few common risk factors that may help you determine whether you could be susceptible to developing long-term RA or OA. Here are a few variables to consider if you think you may be developing symptoms of arthritis:

• Family history: Certain types of arthritis can be hereditary. If one or more of your parents or direct blood relatives suffer from arthritis, you may be more likely to be diagnosed as well.
• Age: Many types of arthritis, including OA, RA, and gout, typically develop later in life. It’s important to be mindful of any symptoms that may develop as you age.
• Gender: Certain types of arthritis classifications are more prevalent depending on gender. For example, RA is more common in women, while gout is more common among men.
• Pre-existing joint injury: Joints that have been injured in sport, exercise, or overuse are more likely to develop arthritis down the road.
• Joint infections: Infected joints are more susceptible to developing arthritis. If you experience any symptoms of joint infection such as swelling, redness, or warmth, see your doctor right away to rule out infection.
• Obesity: Excess weight on the body puts increased strain on its joints, opening them up to an increased risk of developing arthritis.
• Smoking: Smokers put themselves at a higher risk of developing RA and can worsen their symptoms by continuing to smoke.

It’s important to be mindful of common risk factors so you can make the necessary lifestyle changes if you feel you may be susceptible to developing arthritis.

Medications aren’t the only solution

When arthritis pain becomes unbearable, many people turn to over-the-counter (OTC) medications for relief. However, this isn’t always the best course of action. Frequent, regular use of OTC medications is not suitable treatment for chronic disease and can cause damage to your vital organs, including your stomach, kidneys, liver, and heart.

It’s important to consult with your doctor to find the best course of action to treat your arthritis and determine which medications may be right for you. Many physicians also recommend using natural remedies along with medication to help relieve the symptoms of arthritis.

7 natural hacks for easing arthritis pain

There are many alternative and natural remedies for alleviating arthritis pain that you can incorporate into your routine to help bring relief, including changes to your diet, activity level, or supplement regimen. Check out our 7 tips for fighting arthritis pain and inflammation:

1. Exercise and weight management: Frequent, low-impact exercise can help keep your joints nimble while also strengthening the muscles that support them. Obesity has been known to increase the risks of OA in the hands , but maintaining a healthy weight helps to alleviate the strain on your joints.
2. Hot and cold therapy: If you experience pain from arthritis, hot and cold therapy is a great way to find fast relief. Switch between cold compresses to fight inflammation and warm compresses to ease joint pain and stiffness.
3. Acupuncture: Many arthritis sufferers have found relief with acupuncture, an ancient Chinese medical treatment that targets pressure points in the body to help relieve chronic pain. While studies that confirm direct success are limited, it is a common treatment option with minimal risk.
4. Daily stretching: Stretching not only helps loosen your joints to reduce pain and swelling but can also help increase mobility in arthritis sufferers.
5. Massage: While there are no confirmed studies concluding the use of massage as arthritis treatment, it can bring relief to chronic pain sufferers as well as reduce stress and promote overall well-being.
6. Anti-inflammatory diet : The anti-inflammatory diet is a food plan that helps fight a long list of chronic diseases, including arthritis. Try limiting sugary or heavily processed foods, red meat, high-fat dairy, and salt. Instead focus on incorporating more whole foods into your diet, such as fish, leafy greens, fruits and vegetables, legumes, seeds, and nuts.
7. Herbal supplements: Herbal supplements can help your body get the nutrients it needs to promote overall wellness, fight inflammation, and help ease the symptoms of chronic pain brought on by arthritis. Try turmeric, bromelain, ginger, ginkgo, and omega-3 as part of a daily supplement regimen to fight the long-term effects of arthritis.

Implementing lifestyle changes can significantly improve arthritis symptoms and even prevent them from developing altogether, but if you’re struggling with severe arthritis pain that’s limiting your daily activity, there are medications and treatment options that can help. Consulting your physician can help you find a treatment plan that best fits your needs.

Arthritis treatment with ModRN Health

Finding the right prescription plan to treat your arthritis can be difficult, but with the convenient resources provided by ModRN Health you can find the best and most affordable options in your area. ModRN Health makes it easy to compare prescription costs from providers near you, so you can find the medications you need at the best prices available.

Find out more about how ModRN Health can help and enjoy access to the best and most affordable treatment options, plus SMS and email prescription reminders as well as up-to-date information on managing arthritis.