YOUR FIRST STEPS FOR ARTHRITIS TREATMENT
If you have been having chronic joint pain and have been diagnosed with arthritis, you need to start building a personalized plan of action immediately. In many cases, the earlier you start treatment, the better your outcome. On the flip side, the longer you delay treatment, the more likely that you will suffer irreversible damage. Here are some first steps you can take to get a head start.
- Find out what type of arthritis you have: Make sure your doctor is clear about your diagnosis. Each type of arthrtitis has its own unique treatments, so you need to know exactly what you have so that you get the right start.
- Change your lifestyle: Many forms of arthritis will improve with clean lifestyle. Smoking cessation, avoidance of alcohol, and better nutrition are extremely important.
- Lose weight: IF you are obese, then the extra weight you carry triggers excess inflammation in the body and also puts physical stress on the joints.
- See a specialist: although your primary care provider can run tests and start treatment, it is important to see a specialist if one is available, especially for complex situations where treatment will be challenging.
- Make goals: establish a collaborative relationship with your doctors that includes making goals for treatments. This will keep all parties committed to the treatment plan.
- Start treatment: immediately start treatment that your doctor recommends. Reducing pain, swelling, and stiffness will allow you to remain functional. Meanwhile, long-term care to preserve your joints starts now.
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