Living with Arthritis

No one has to tell you that arthritis is painful. You live with the discomfort day in and day out. What you could use, however, is a game plan for making life with arthritis a little easier.

Dr. Sachida Manocha at the Interventional Pain Center in Newark and Worthington, Ohio specializes in helping his patients manage and overcome the pain of arthritis. You’ll come to him to get a handle on your arthritis, but you’ll keep coming back because of his unique approach to medicine, health care, and you. His excellent listening skills and deep compassion allow him to develop a plan that incorporates traditional techniques and innovative treatments that are personal, safe, and effective.

When it comes to living with arthritis, Dr. Manocha’s holistic approach includes a comprehensive look at your health issues, your lifestyle, and your goals.

Manage your arthritis pain

First things first. Before you can embark any kind of lifestyle changes, Dr. Manocha knows you need to get a handle on your arthritis pain. Depending on your level of pain and other health issues, the following may be options for getting that pain under control:

• Topical ointments and creams
• Oral medications for inflammation and pain relief
• Steroid injections
• Physical therapy
• Yoga
• Acupuncture
• Surgery, such as joint fusion and joint replacement

Eat for your arthritis

The food you eat can make your arthritis symptoms better or worse. One of the main issues with arthritis is inflammation, so it can help your efforts to overcome pain if you eat foods that naturally reduce swelling. If you’re familiar with the Mediterranean diet, you may notice that the list here contains many of the same ingredients found in that healthy, delicious way of eating. Some include:

• Fatty fish like mackerel, salmon, sardines, and tuna
• Olive oil
• Dark green, leafy vegetables like collard greens, kale, and spinach
• Blueberries and strawberries
• Oranges and cherries
• Almonds and walnuts
• Tomatoes

Some foods, on the other hand, may have the opposite effect and actually cause inflammation, which could worsen your arthritis pain. Here are a few to steer clear from:

• Sweetened, carbonated beverages
• Fried foods
• Pastries and white bread
• Margarine, lard, and shortening
• Red meat
• Processed meat and foods

On the topic of diet, it’s also a good idea to watch your weight. If you’re overweight or obese, Dr. Manocha can get you started on a healthy and doable weight-loss program. If you’re already in good shape, it’s important to maintain your healthy weight, as your arthritis symptoms can become more complicated if you’re carrying extra pounds.

Exercise with arthritis

Exercise has been shown to reduce pain and increase function in people with arthritis, and it may be second only to drugs when it comes to pain management. Whether you take up walking, water aerobics, yoga, or some other activity, moving more will increase your:

• Strength
• Flexibility
• Range of motion
• Endurance

Getting in shape is not only good for your overall health, it may also help you avoid or postpone more aggressive treatments like surgery. But before you start any new exercise, check-in with Dr. Manocha first to make sure you choose activities that will help and not harm you.

Monitor health problems that like to tag along with arthritis

There are several health conditions that tend to come along with arthritis and complicate your life even more. Be on the lookout for symptoms of these arthritis buddies:

• Depression
• Diabetes
• Heart disease
• Obesity
• Vision problems
• Sleep issues
• Skin conditions

If you follow this plan for living with arthritis, you’ll increase your chances of keeping the pain to a minimum and your functionality at a maximum. These only scratch the surface of the strategies and resources available to you. For more information, call us today or book an appointment online with Dr. Manocha.