Living with arthritis can be quite difficult, especially once you discover that it is an incurable disease that you will have to live with for the rest of your life. However, just because there is no cure does not mean that treating it and lowering the discomforts it presents is impossible.
Staying active is the key!
Considering that arthritis is a disease that affects the joints, especially if it is affecting the hip joint, you might think that working out and staying active is the last thing you want to do. However, it is quite the opposite. The more active you are, the easier the effects of hip arthritis will be on your body.
According to doctors that treat the hip arthritis symptoms in Melbourne, exercise will boost your energy and it will also strengthen your muscles and bones. As you work out more, the muscles grow stronger, which will provide additional support to the joints which are affected by arthritis. Naturally, there are limits to how much one can exercise, but doing it within limits is great for your condition.
Having a well-balanced diet is essential
No matter what kind of disease one might have, a proper diet can sometimes be quite a game-changer, and this is especially true for people who have hip arthritis. It is suggested to improve your diet by including foods that are rich in vitamin C, especially if that vitamin C comes from vegetables and fruits.
Another thing that is a fantastic addition to your diet is Omega-3 fatty acids. These can be found in fish or fish oil. If you are not a fan of fish, you may get these in capsules, but it is always better to obtain them from a whole fish.
Of course, you want to avoid junk food, as it is full of unhealthy fats. Instead, get your fats from avocados or meals cooked in canola or olive oil. When it comes to protein, there are plenty of options, and while the meat is not a bad choice, nuts are also good additions to your diet as they are rich in both protein and fats.
Keep your weight in check
Considering that the hip joint is one that handles the weight of your whole upper body, it is important to keep your weight in check. Being overweight will add additional stress on the joint, which will increase the discomfort that hip arthritis brings into your life. Of course, if you follow the previous two tips, you should be able to maintain your weight with ease.
Get enough sleep
One of the best things that you can do in order to keep your body in the best possible condition is to get enough sleep. Even if you would not have hip arthritis, getting enough sleep is important, which makes it even more important when you suffer from arthritis. When you go to bed, make sure that you do not have any electronics and do not sleep in a position that puts pressure on your hip joints.
Control the pain
One of the best ways to control the pain is by using cold or hot packs. This differs from person to person, as someone will feel less pain when they are using cold packs on their joints, while others will feel that same effect when they are applying heat to the area instead. Whatever works for you, it will increase the blood flow and reduce the pain and stiffness, as well as swelling.
Another way that you can control the pain is by using over-the-counter medication such as acetaminophen. While medication can be very effective, it is important that you take it in reasonable amounts, as taking more medicine than recommended can cause other health issues.
Consult with your doctor
If you are experiencing something strange, or some new symptoms, it is very important to consult with your doctor. You can also check out https://www.moati.com.au/ to find out more about your condition, and you can schedule an appointment with a doctor who specializes in cases such as yours. You can not only learn more about your disease, but you can receive some very helpful advice.
Final Word
While the tips beforehand are certainly very effective in keeping your life easier while suffering from hip arthritis, there is one thing that can help more than anything, and that is to have a positive attitude. You would be surprised just how much is in the mind, and by having a positive attitude towards the challenges life throws at you, things are going to go much better for you.