Avoid these 3 bad habits if you have arthritis

Are you suffering from arthritis? Reduce your discomfort by avoiding these three mistakes.

While most arthritis sufferers still enjoy rich, fulfilling lives, the condition does entail taking certain measures to keep yourself feeling great.

Fried and processed foods, such as fried meats or packaged meals, should only be eaten in moderation, and are best avoided altogether.

• They are inflammatory and can aggravate the symptoms of arthritis in many ways, so cutting back on these foods can reduce your pain.
• High amounts of sugar in your diet can also create toxins that can damage your cells and cause inflammation, so avoid these as well.
• Opt for fresh fruits, whole grains and vegetables instead of processed foods.

When you are suffering from arthritis pain, it can be hard to motivate yourself to get up and move around. Being a couch potato is bad for your health and actually aggravates your condition, so it's important to do gentle exercises when you are experiencing arthritis pain.

• Light walking and things such as yoga and stretching are great for your body.
• When you're in less pain, try more intensive cardio exercise, such as swimming or bike riding, to improve your joint stability and keep your heart pumping blood to your limbs.

If you've been prescribed arthritis medication, it's important to take it consistently. Some patients think they can skip their medication on days that they don't have as much pain, but missing a dose could eventually cause the pain to get worse.

• The medication needs to stay in your bloodstream at the right levels in order to be fully effective, so be sure to stay on a consistent schedule with your medication.

Treatment options

If you aren't currently taking any medication, talk with your doctor about different treatment options that could help alleviate some of your pain.

Living with arthritis isn't easy, but it can be managed with the right lifestyle choices. Make sure to avoid these three mistakes, and you will have a better chance of managing your arthritis pain effectively.