Knee Pain And Arthritis

Arthritis is a common disease that impacts the joints. While arthritis in the knees is common, people can experience the condition in any of the body’s joints. However, getting arthritis in the knees can seriously impact the quality of life, making simple tasks like standing and walking harder. Along with working with a specialist to improve outcomes, people diagnosed with arthritis can also engage in at-home treatments to reduce knee pain.

3 Things to Know Before Your FESS surgery

1. Consider losing weight

Many factors can contribute to arthritis, but being overweight can exacerbate the condition. In particular, consider the fact that for every step taken, the knee experiences a force that’s equal to three to six times a person’s weight. Even being 10lbs overweight can be the equivalent of an additional 30-60lbs being exerted on the knees. Additionally, being overweight can speed up cartilage degeneration, meaning that a person may experience arthritis sooner or more severely when overweight.

2. Get moving

Considering that arthritis can make moving difficult, trying to move more might seem counterproductive. But in reality, incorporating exercise can help to keep joints flexible as well as strengthening essential muscle groups that provide stability for the knees. Exercise doesn’t have to be high impact. Instead, try gentle exercises like walking, swimming, or cycling.

3. Try a natural supplement

Research has shown that some natural supplements can aid in relieving knee pain. For example, turmeric has been proven to provide anti-inflammatory relief, which can be essential for people with arthritis in the knees. However, before trying supplements, always speak with a physician. While turmeric is helpful, people on blood thinners should avoid the natural spice as research shows that turmeric thins the blood.

4. Try hot and cold therapy

Much like with athletes who experience initial injuries, hot and cold therapy has been shown to aid in relief for arthritis in the knees. For example, heat therapy in the morning might help to make moving the knee easier. But as the day progresses and swelling sets in from use, cold therapy can help to reduce swelling.

5. Medical conditions that impact balance

Many people may be surprised to learn that common medical conditions like diabetes, heart disease, and even thyroid issues can contribute to diminishing a person’s balance. Specifically, some medications prescribed to treat the above conditions can encourage dizziness or sleepiness, making a person more susceptible to falling. If an older individual notices side effects such as dizziness after taking medications, it’s essential to speak with a physician to discuss concerns around falling.

Think about switching up the diet

Specifically, research suggests that prioritizing an anti-inflammatory diet can improve outcomes for arthritis in the knees. People with arthritis should prioritize whole foods and incorporate more plants into a daily diet. For example, the Mediterranean diet is a good choice because the method includes plenty of produce and encourages eating healthier proteins rich in omega-3 fatty acids like wild salmon, anchovies, and tuna. Along with easing knee pain, an anti-inflammatory diet can also lower blood pressure and improve heart health.

Taking control of knee pain

While arthritis doesn’t have a cure, people with the disease don’t have to suffer from poor quality of life. Along with working with a physician to manage the condition, taking proactive steps that include a diet rich in nutritious foods, maintaining a healthy weight, and staying active can ensure that knee pain won’t leave a person on the sidelines.

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