Rheumatoid Arthritis: Lifestyle Tips to Help You Live More Active Lifestyle

Digital Editor | March 6, 2023 | Guides, Research | No Comments

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is an autoimmune disease that occurs when the immune system mistakenly attacks the healthy cells in your body. This leads to the following experiences, which may interfere with your daily activities:

• Pain

• Redness or discoloration

• Inflammation

Treating RA is important to improve your symptoms and protect your joints and organs from permanent damage. It is important to know how to cure Rheumatoid Arthritis permanently.

There are things you can do to manage the various aspects of RA that can improve your quality of life.

Movement can help with pain control

Regular exercise can help with overall pain control when living with RA, especially if you get into a routine. You may be able to start by walking every day and then gradually increase the distance and speed. Resistance and flexibility exercises like yoga and tai chi can also help reduce RA pain and increase mobility.

Rest is just as important as exercise

The National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases recommends exercising regularly but getting more rest when RA flares up. The best course of action is to pay attention to your body. You can take a rest day or replace your workout with gentle yoga stretches if:

• Feeling exhausted

• Feeling of stiffness

• Experiencing too much pain

Fatigue and “brain fog” are real, but there are ways to deal with them

Fatigue is a common symptom of RA and can also indicate a new flare-up. You might experience RA fatigue during the day and feel weak and worn out, but not necessarily drowsy.

Excessive fatigue can also make it harder to concentrate or remember information. Although fatigue can be relieved with treatment, it is possible to experience this symptom long-term.

You can help yourself to fight fatigue by:

• Maintain a regular sleep schedule

• Get enough exercise during the day

• Eat a balanced diet

Read: MUSIC AS THERAPY: HOW LISTENING TO MUSIC CAN IMPROVE MENTAL HEALTH

Stress management is crucial

Stress can raise your chances of experiencing a RA flare-up, as well as worsening other disorders like fibromyalgia. Exercise and relaxation strategies can help you manage stress and keep inflammation at bay. It is critical to set aside time each day for oneself, whether it is to:

Take a short walk
Meditate
Listen to relaxing music

Know when to seek help from a mental health professional

While RA causes occasional stress, the following sustained experiences may indicate a mental health condition:

Anger
Fear
Hopelessness
Sadness

If you do not feel like yourself and have lost interest in your favorite activities, seek help from a mental health expert.

Group support can help

Outside of your friends and family, you may how to cure rheumatoid arthritis permanently-quire help from individuals who have had similar situations to you. Consider reaching out to a RA support group, either online or in person, for assistance. Interacting with people can also help you feel less isolated, which can benefit your mental health.

Read: Arthritis Diet: What to Eat And What To Avoid

Weight loss may help to lessen symptoms and slow illness development

Obesity, according to doctors, may raise the chance of RA development. If necessary, decreasing weight may help slow the progression of your RA and alleviate your symptoms.

Losing weight can also help relieve pain in specific joints, specifically your:

Back
Hips
Knees

See your doctor about how a moderate weight loss strategy may benefit you.

It is also important to protect your heart health

The inflammatory consequences of RA might spread to internal organs such as your heart and lungs. These organs must be evaluated on a regular basis as part of your RA management.

In fact, heart disease is the leading cause of death among RA patients. Besides controlling your RA, you can reduce your risk of heart disease by doing things like:

Maintaining a steady blood pressure level
Reducing your cholesterol levels
Adding cardiovascular exercises to your fitness routine
Eating a low-fat diet
Quitting smoking

Wrapping up

The purpose of RA treatment is to lessen your symptoms and halt the disease’s progression. Remission may result from an early RA diagnosis and subsequent therapy with disease-modifying medicines. Within the first few months of treatment, this might be feasible. It is always better to know your disease and be aware of how to cure rheumatoid arthritis permanently.