Simple diet and lifestyle modifications help prevent disease progression. It also helps us lower the risk of other illnesses developing. Doctors recommend that patients combine lifestyle and dietary changes with conservative treatment. Nutritional and lifestyle changes can help relieve arthritis-related pain.
Here are some suggestions for incorporating these lifestyle improvements and reducing symptoms.
Diet Modifications
A diet can make or break a healthy body. It is essential to watch what you eat and regulate your intake of certain foods. Having a healthy diet is an effective way to achieve a healthy body and lifestyle.
Research shows that you can address some arthritis symptoms by limiting or cutting out certain foods. Some patients also report having an improved quality of life after diet modification.
Limit Your Sugar Intake
Studies show that excessive intake of sugar in rheumatoid arthritis patients worsens their symptoms. Many processed products contain high-fructose corn syrup, which increases the risk of the development of rheumatoid arthritis. Fructose sugars promote inflammation in tissues and joints, which could both be related to rheumatoid arthritis.
It is better to consume products that don’t have high-fructose corn syrup as an ingredient. One way to do this is by reducing the consumption of candy, soda, ice cream, and other similar foods. If you’re looking for sweets, it’s best to find natural sources, like fruits and berries. Fruits like cherries, berries, and citrus fruits have natural anti-inflammatory properties which could help with pain symptoms.
Take More Fatty Acids
Healthy fat or polyunsaturated fatty acids are proven to help with inflammation. Tuna, salmon, and sardines contain beneficial fatty acids. These fish have omega-3 fatty acids, which help eliminate inflammation-causing chemicals in the body. When you have enough omega-3 in your body, you are less likely to develop stiffness in the morning.
Cut Out Alcohol
Researchers have linked that alcohol increases the risk, frequency, and severity of gout. Gout is a complicated type of arthritis. Alcohol also increases the risk of inflammation in patients with inflammatory arthritis. This could affect the spinal cord and pose risks for patients aside from worsened symptoms, especially in patients with osteoarthritis.
Quitting cold turkey isn’t easy, and very few people can do it. Reduce your intake gradually if completely cutting out alcohol instantly is too much of a challenge. Not only will abstaining alleviate your arthritis symptoms, but this also decreases your risk for other conditions such as liver failure.
Reduce Meat Intake
Medical news shows that red meat can aggravate the symptoms of arthritis. Patients with arthritis who have red meat in their diet have the most risk for inflammatory arthritis. These are natural inflammatory agents, and reducing the amount you eat can help lessen your symptoms. Other factors that may lead to inflammatory arthritis include eating foods high in protein and collagen.
Lifestyle Modifications
You can talk to your primary healthcare provider about these possible modifications to ensure that it is right for you. It is essential to devise a lifestyle modification plan that is fit for you to avoid further complications and problems.
Keep A Healthy Weight
Arthritis typically affects the joints. Being overweight puts more pressure on your joints, especially your hips, knees, and ankles. When paired with a degenerative disease like arthritis, your condition is more likely to progress and develop worse pain.
In addition, keeping a healthy weight allows you to be more active in doing daily activities. Being physically active helps maintain your overall health and reduces risks for the development of other conditions.
Exercise
Exercising improves your flexibility and mobility, and helps with pain management – all of which are important to patients with arthritis. You don’t need to buy expensive equipment or spend a fortune on a gym membership to exercise. A simple 30-minute walk daily contributes a lot to your health and fitness without stressing out your joints too much.
Aside from helping with fitness and heart health, exercise can also:
- Strengthen bones and joint muscles
- Improve sleep
- Control weight
- Improves balance
- Make you more energetic
While exercising can be done through regular daily activities, you still have to communicate with your doctor. They will assess which physical activities won’t put pressure on your joints and would be the best for you.
Arthritis Pain Clinics In Central Florida
One in three Americans suffers from arthritis and joint pain. Make sure to get checked by a healthcare professional to create an immediate arthritis treatment plan to prevent the progression of your condition. Sometimes you don’t need medication – all you need is some changes to your lifestyle.
If you’re looking for a place to get your joint health assessed, look no further than Central Florida Spine & Pain. Together with Dr. Nicholas Giordano, our group of healthcare professionals is sure to help you devise a modification plan to prolong a pain-free life.
If you want to know more about our services, you may call us at (321) 802-5021 or check in online anytime. If you’d like to schedule a consultation, secure an appointment using our online appointment request form. We are looking forward to serving you!
