Tips & Best Pain Reliever for Arthritis in Hands
Arthritis in the hands is a common condition that affects many people, particularly as they age. It is caused by joint inflammation and can cause pain, stiffness, and limited hand mobility. Certain types of arthritis can affect the hands, including osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, and psoriatic arthritis; you can also take steps to prevent hand arthritis or minimize its impact. In this blog, let us know how to prevent arthritis in the hands and the best pain reliever options for managing arthritis in the hands.
How to Prevent Arthritis in Hands
One of the most straightforward exercises for hand arthritis is finger stretching. Start by extending your hand in front of you with your palm facing down. Then, place your other hand to gently pull each finger back towards your wrist, holding each stretch for 10-15 seconds. Repeat this exercise several times daily, focusing on stretching each finger individually.
While there is no ensured way to prevent arthritis in the hands, there are certain things that you can do to reduce the risk or slow the progression of this condition:
- Maintain a healthy weight: Being overweight or obese can put additional stress on your joints, increasing your risk of developing arthritis. A healthy weight through regular workouts and a balanced diet reduce this risk.
- Regular exercise can help keep your joints flexible and robust, reducing the risk of arthritis. Low-impact exercises that include swimming, cycling, and walking are particularly beneficial.
- Protect your hands: Repeated stress on the hands can increase the risk of developing arthritis. Protect your hands by using tools with padded handles, taking breaks when performing repetitive tasks, and wearing gloves when working with your hands.
- Eat a balanced diet: A diet including fruits, vegetables, and whole grains reduce the inflammation in the body, which can worsen arthritis symptoms.
Best Pain Reliever Options for Managing Arthritis in Hands
While preventing arthritis in the hands is ideal, it is not always possible. Fortunately, there are many pain reliever options available to help manage the symptoms of arthritis in hands:
- Pain relievers: certain pain relievers, such as acetaminophen or nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, can relieve pain and reduce inflammation in the joints.
- Steroid injections: If over-the-counter pain relievers are not effective, steroid injections can be given directly into the affected joint to reduce inflammation and relieve pain.
- Surgery: In severe cases of arthritis in the hands, surgery may be necessary to replace the affected joint with an artificial joint.
Finally, there is no definite way to prevent arthritis in your hands; there are also steps you can take to reduce your risk or slow its progression. Regular exercise, maintaining a healthy weight, protecting your hands, and eating a balanced diet can all help reduce the risk of arthritis in your hands. In addition, many pain reliever options are available to help manage the symptoms of arthritis in the hands, including over-the-counter pain relievers, topical pain relievers, steroid injections, and surgery. By taking these steps, you can help manage the pain and discomfort of arthritis in your hands and maintain your quality of life.
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