While nearly 50 million Americans suffer from arthritis, you can take steps to reduce its impact on your life.
People with arthritis often experience pain, stiffness and swelling in the bones, joints, ligaments, muscles and tendons. If you repeatedly have these symptoms, your primary care doctor will take a comprehensive medical history and perform a physical exam. Laboratory tests and imaging studies will be used to confirm an arthritis diagnosis.
What You Can Do
The first step in arthritis management is striking a balance between exercise and rest. While exercise carries significant benefits to your overall health and reduces arthritis symptoms, too much exercise can make your condition worse.
Before starting an exercise regimen, consult your primary care doctor to ensure optimal benefits. A routine that incorporates aerobics and endurance, range-of-motion, and strength exercises reduces arthritis symptoms, according to the National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases.
A balanced diet is equally as important as exercise. Eating more fruits and vegetables while reducing fatty foods can play a significant role in helping you maintain a healthy body weight and increase your energy
Medical Management
Even if you commit to a structured diet and exercise plan, you may need other interventions to reduce your arthritis symptoms. If you have questions specifically about knee or hip pain, join us for a free seminar where a Tennova Healthcare orthopedic surgeon will discuss the most common causes of pain and the latest treatment options, from diet and exercise to medications and surgery. Visit Tennova.com to see a list of upcoming seminar dates or call 1-855-TENNOVA (836-6682).
Remember that this information is not intended to replace the advice of your doctor, but rather to increase awareness and help equip patients with information and facilitate conversations with your physician that will benefit your health.