10 Best Advice Tips for RA Patients
The most important thing you can do is educate yourself about your disease and the medications and treatments available to you, and go to your appointments prepared to ask questions.
It is critical not to sit for long periods of time, as this can cause joint stiffness or gelling. It is critical to sit with reasonably good posture.
When you're stiff and in pain, moving helps you feel better. Learn to stretch and take breaks throughout the day. Take a short walk or swim whenever possible to loosen up your joints and increase your energy level.
Fatigue is also common during a RA flare. Even brief periods of rest during the day can help you manage your fatigue. Sleeping for eight hours or more each night can also help. Start a sleep hygiene routine if you're having trouble sleeping.
Don't feel bad about not being able to do as much as you used to. Slow down and pay attention to your body mechanics (how you can move), making sure to pivot rather than twist. Check for any potential tripping hazards. Rest when your body tells you to.
Try to include as many anti-inflammatory foods as possible in your diet. believe that diet and supplements can cure RA, but eating anti-inflammatory foods and avoiding foods that cause inflammation can help keep symptoms under control.
When travelling by car or plane, wear compression socks. The compression aids in the prevention of swelling in the feet and ankles.
Medication is important, but nutrition is also important for people with RA. Diet can help reduce systemic inflammation, which is common in RA and other autoimmune disorders; the foods we eat play a role in inflammation control. To begin, limit your intake of sugar and processed foods.
People with RA have a higher rate of depression and anxiety, which is due in part to inflammation and pain, as well as uncertainty about the course of the illness and a shift in roles and sense of identity. For those who have a history of depression, anxiety, or substance abuse, the stress and uncertainty of life during a pandemic, as well as a disruption in routines that have previously kept them healthy, can be destabilising. Wherever possible, rely on practises that were beneficial prior to the pandemic, such as exercise, meditation, self-help or support groups, or consulting with a mental health professional.
Join a local or online support group. Your support group will give you courage and confidence, allowing you to see that your situation may not be as bad as it appears.
