STARTING YOUR TREATMENT FOR ARTHRITIS
Once you are diagnosed with arthritis, you should focus on treatments . In the near term, you can reduce or resolve your symptoms. In the long term, having a good treatment plan can slow or stop disease activity and potentially save your joints from destruction.
- Start immediately! Early treatment has been shown to improve outcomes in rheumatoid arthritis, for example
- Make goals: Start thinking about your treatment goals. Some people want pain relief, some peoplewant to be able to rturn to sports, and some want it all.
- Improve your diet. The foods you eat can have benefits similar to medications that decrease inflammation in your body. Prioritize a healthy diet focused on 5 to 10 servings of fruits and vegetables. Many foods have anti-inflammatory properties, including ginger, garlic, turmeric, and green tea.
- Lose weight! Obesity makes arthritis worse, and weight loss can take months. If you need to lower your weight, start as soon as you can while your doctors work on your medical treatments.
- See your doctor now! Your doctor can discuss your options and get your treatment started immediately. Remember, the sooner the better! You can discuss options and put a plan together right away.
- Follow up with your doctor! See your doctor regularly to discuss what is and isn’t working in your treatment plan. Especially early on, your doctor will need to see you regularly to monitor your symptoms and make medication changes as needed. You may also need blood tests after starting certain medications.
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