If you have arthritis and are overweight, you should lose weight. Getting your weight down can make a huge difference in how your joints feel. Start by aiming to take off five pounds, a goal that can be less overwhelming than 20 to 30 or more pounds. Then build on that success to keep losing more.
Living With Arthritis
When living with arthritis, daily activities like opening doors, climbing stairs and even getting out of bed can be difficult and painful due to joint inflammation. Exercise reduces pain and disability, partly because it stimulates the production of synovial fluid that lubricates the joints. Regular daily exercise also helps maintain a healthy weight and improve overall muscle tone and balance, both which lessen strain on the joints.
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Shelley Peterman Schwarz , Neurology, answered
Here are some tips to make dusting easier if you have arthritis.
- Vacuum instead of dust. Get a lightweight canister vacuum or an upright with an optional hand-held hose, turn the power to low, and vacuum instead of dusting. You will be amazed at how much time and effort this can save.
- Use a microfiber cloth to make cleaning easy. Microfiber has a slightly tacky surface that attracts dirt and dust like a magnet. Use for dusting, for soaking up spills and polishing. Slip on a pair of microfiber gloves and run your hands over your blinds, furniture, bookshelves, chair rails and carvings and just watch the dust disappear. For tougher cleaning jobs, moisten with water to improve the cloth’s cleaning power. Microfiber cloths are available in the cleaning products section of your favorite department store.
- Use an old sock as a dust cloth. Simply dampen the sock with dusting spray or furniture polish and slip it over your hand. This way your arms and shoulders do most of the work.
- Use a lint roller. If, due to coordination or strength issues, it is difficult for you to clean, try using a lint roller to clean lampshades too delicate to vacuum or to pick up pet hair from furniture or floors. A lint roller is easy to use, and the sticky surface picks up dust and dirt anywhere you can roll it.
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1 AnswerA
Shelley Peterman Schwarz , Neurology, answered
If you have difficulty walking, you may qualify for a disabled parking permit. With the permit, you can park in specially designated stalls closer to the entrance of doctor’s offices, stores and businesses. You may also be able to park in regular stalls near where you are going without paying for parking. Along with your application, you will need a signed statement from your physician verifying your need for a temporary or permanent permit. Ask your state Department of Transportation about qualifications and how to apply.
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Shelley Peterman Schwarz , Neurology, answered
Try these adaptations for safer, easier use of your shower and bathtub:
- Use a shower caddy, a hanging basket that hooks over the shower head to keep soap and shampoo off the floor.
- Use decorative nonslip tape or decals in the tub or shower for improved traction.
- Remove that slippery soap-film buildup from rubber bath mats by periodically tossing them into a washing machine with soap and a little bleach or tea-tree oil (a greener alternative available in health food stores).
- Have a seat while you bathe; purchase one of the many inexpensive shower chairs available or place a resin or webbed outdoor chair in the tub or shower.
- Install grab bars in the shower and bathtub. Never grasp towel racks or soap dish holders for support. Remember, grab bars must be securely anchored to wall studs.
- Wrap rubber bands around the handle of a hand-held shower nozzle to make it easier to hold and manage when your hands are soapy.
- Keep your shower curtain sliding easily by applying a light coat of petroleum jelly to the rod; rub off any excess with a paper towel.
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1 AnswerA
Shelley Peterman Schwarz , Neurology, answered
Ask your doctor about support groups in your area. If you have been diagnosed with a chronic illness or disease, it is good to know you are not alone. Local support groups provide understanding, encouragement and information about treatments and resources available for you and your family in your home area. Often hospitals, HMOs and clinics offer “coping-type” support groups for people with chronic illness or those going through life-altering changes. If going to a support group scares you, see if you can attend over the phone or talk to one or more of the members one-on-one. In knowledge and understanding is power to relieve your fears and live a better, more active life.
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Shelley Peterman Schwarz , Neurology, answered
If you find the height of standard toilet seats to be too low, purchase an adjustable portable toilet seat to increase the height by four to seven inches and make it easier to get on and off. Adjustable toilet seats are easy to attach to any toilet. Some portable seats provide armrests for added support. Carry a tote bag and you can take the seat with you to safely use bathrooms away from home.
You can also install a wall-mounted toilet, at a level that is convenient for you. It leaves the floor space beneath free and easy to clean. Check with your local plumbing supply contractor for more information. -
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Shelley Peterman Schwarz , Neurology, answered
Here are some tips to make grooming easier if you have arthritis:
- Substitute a wash mitt or soft sponge for the usual washcloth. Sponges are usually easier to use if your hands are weak.
- Telescoping mirrors let you sit down when grooming. Telescoping mirrors clamp to the side or sit on top of your vanity; they feature adjustable, swivel-type necks that may easily be moved to various positions. Look for one with a double-sided mirror -- one side is a regular mirror and the other side is magnified, making it perfect for makeup application or shaving. You might also consider installing mirrored tiles at various heights on the bathroom walls.
- Pop-up tissues are easier to grasp than the kind that lie flat in the box.
- End shaving with electrolysis. If you have heavy leg or underarm hair, and it is difficult for you to hold or maneuver a razor, consider investing in electrolysis. Once the hair is removed, you will have only smooth skin, no more shaving and no more nicks, cuts or razor rash.
- Trim your toenails with long-handled scissors. To give you better leverage and make cutting easier, look for scissors with serrated, stainless steel blades and long handles (81⁄2 inches) that angle upward. Molded finger and thumb grips help hold the scissors securely in your hand. Look for these and other long-handled personal care products at drug or home health stores.
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Shelley Peterman Schwarz , Neurology, answered
Set priorities and focus on tasks that must be done. Tackle one job at a time. Break down activities into a series of smaller steps and ask others to assist you with the difficult portions of the task. Avoid working or sitting for long periods in the same position. Move around periodically.
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1 AnswerA
Shelley Peterman Schwarz , Neurology, answered
Keep a small basket near the stairs to hold items that need to be taken to rooms on a different floor of a multilevel house. You can collect the items throughout the day and easily carry them all at once. Specialty catalogs offer special baskets designed just for stairs.
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Shelley Peterman Schwarz , Neurology, answered
Here are some tips for selecting shoes if you have arthritis.
- Wear shoes with proper support. If you take care of your feet, your whole body will thank you for it. Footwear with proper support not only cushions every step, but it promotes proper posture and thus relieves pain. Look for shoes with durable, supportive foot beds that pamper your feet and stand the test of time. Visit a shoe store with expert fitters who will measure your feet and recommend the best choices for you. You may pay a little more, but it is worth it.
- Buy shoes that are comfortable and fit properly.
- File down or round off the front tip of your shoe, if you trip on the end of your shoe when you walk.