When we think of arthritis, it’s common for initial thoughts to drift to painful symptoms as one ages. But arthritis doesn’t only affect the aging. Over 21% of adults 18 and over in the U.S. — that’s around 53 million individuals — suffer from arthritis1, and it is the number one leading cause of disability in the U.S.2 Because of its prevalence across the country, it is also a “leading cause of activity limitations, disability, and chronic pain,”1 according to the National Library of Medicine. With May being honored as Arthritis Awareness Month, we are sharing some information about arthritis and what you can do to lessen symptoms of pain, swelling, and achy joints with the use of easy open pill planners, compression therapy, and natural routes.
You’re probably familiar with the term “arthritis,” but do you know what it means? Simply put, arthritis refers to the pain, tenderness, and swelling of the joints. Other symptoms in those who are affected can include stiffness, redness, or decreased range of motion.3 But just because arthritis can be a catch-all type of term for those with joint pain, realize that there are actually over 100 types of arthritis! Despite an overwhelming thought that arthritis is for the aging, that’s not the case. Here’s a statistic to bust the myth of arthritis mostly affecting the aging: around two-thirds of people who suffer from arthritis are actually less than 65 years old! In addition to age, other risk factors for arthritis include family history, gender, and previous joint injuries.3
Despite its commonness, there is no cure for arthritis. For millions of people, it affects everyday activities, from household chores to mobility and more. The most common symptoms include pain, achy joints, swelling, stiffness, and decreased range of motion. But everyone who suffers from it feels different effects. Symptoms can vary from mild to severe. Some may have lasting symptoms while others feel them on and off. Some can experience worsening symptoms over time, while others can manage the pain to keep it stable. Severe cases even affect other body organs such as the heart, eyes, lungs, kidneys, and skin.4
Because of the symptoms of arthritis, it can have an effect on one’s overall daily function, which limits mobility and activity in their daily lives. The Centers for Disease Control notes nine common daily activities that those with arthritis can have trouble doing, including grasping small objects, reaching above one’s head, sitting for about 2 hours, lifting or carrying as much as 10 pounds, climbing a flight of stairs without resting, pushing or pulling a heavy object, walking one-quarter of a mile, standing for about 2 hours, and stooping, bending, or kneeling.5 Clearly, there are a myriad of ways it can limit daily functions. However, there are several things you can do to suppress its symptoms and combat the pain and effects it has.
Use products that lessen pain and increase mobility
If you take medications or supplements for your arthritis, using a pill planner is helpful to remind you to take them. With arthritis, it can be hard to do things like grasp and push, so a push button pill planner will be a helpful tool. The buttons lessen the effort needed to open the compartments and the silicone bottoms help it secure to the counter for a one-handed easy open.
Whether you deal with inflammation, swelling, stiff muscles, or all of the above, a hot and cold therapy pack can help in any situation. Depending on which aspect you use — the hot or cold — based on your symptoms, it can help with pain, swelling, and inflammation. Heat and cold are typically used for opposite symptoms, but sometimes switching between heat and cold can be beneficial as well. Cold therapy helps decrease swelling, inflammation, and redness by constricting the blood vessels and slowing blood flow. It can be used several times a day, but for no longer than 15-20 minutes at a time or it can do more harm than good. Cold therapy is also used to help manage pain symptoms because it decreases blood flow to the applied area, therefore slowing those pain signals.
If your symptoms include stiff, sore, or achy muscles, then heat will be your best option. In addition to loosening stiff joints and relieving achy muscles, heat opens up the blood vessels and allows more blood and oxygen to flow through, creating better circulation. For heat therapy, take a hot bath or shower or use a heating pad or hot water bottle.
You may well be familiar with compression therapy as part of the RICE process — rest, ice, compress, elevate — to heal an injury, and that same compression can help with arthritis symptoms. A compression wrap can accelerate healing by reducing swelling, while at the same time decreasing the pain. It also helps support the joints during daily activities as it increases circulation.
When it comes to everyday activities when living with arthritis, remember to keep your joints moving through their full range of motion, sit or stand with good posture, and don’t overdo activities that are painful to you. Know your limits, but keep active to keep those joints mobile and as healthy as you can. Though they are not always the most fun or easiest things to do, we all know that diet and exercise are key to any healthy life. A balanced diet provides all of the essential nutrients your body needs, especially if following known anti-inflammatory plans like Mediterranean and keto diets. And exercise helps enhance your body’s health on all levels, including helping to strengthen muscles, improve flexibility, and improve range of motion — all of which are important to the strength and dexterity of your joints with arthritis — so make sure to make these an integral part of your life, too.
If you’re dealing with arthritis, make sure to watch out for the symptoms that affect you and how they progress. Use helpful tools like easy open pill planners and compression therapy, keep an active and healthy lifestyle, and stay connected with your doctor if any symptoms worsen.
References
- National Library of Medicine Prevalence of Diagnosed Arthritis — United States, 2019-2021. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC10578950/
- Arthritis Foundation Let’s Raise Awareness About Arthritis. https://www.arthritis.org/about-arthritis/arthritis-awareness-month
- Mayo Clinic https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/arthritis/symptoms-causes/syc-20350772
- Arthritis Foundation What is Arthritis? https://www.arthritis.org/health-wellness/about-arthritis/understanding-arthritis/what-is-arthritis
- Centers for Disease Control Arthritis Data and Statistics. https://www.cdc.gov/arthritis/data_statistics/disabilities-limitations.htm