This is a collaborative post
As a parent, life tends to be very active. It can feel like you’re constantly chasing after the kids, tidying up, playing with them, doing school runs and ferrying them around for social outings and appointments. The last thing you have time for is pain and discomfort that will slow you down and even leave you unable to function. Unfortunately, that is exactly what osteoarthritis can do. Not only is it painful, but as a parent, it can cause a huge change to their lifestyle.
Here we’ll take a look at some of the best ways to cope with and manage your osteoarthritis so that it doesn’t hold you back from parenting.
It’s Important to Stay Active
When a person is experiencing pain and discomfort, a normal reaction is to take it easy and rest. Unfortunately, with osteoarthritis, this is the worst thing you can do. Resting can cause your pain and discomfort to worsen. Instead, it’s very important to stay active daily. You don’t have to engage in high impact activities, just light and gentle exercise is all it takes. The goal is to keep your joints flexible and strengthen your bones and muscles. Some of the best types of exercises include aerobic workouts, cardio and resistance training. Even going for a brisk daily walk will be fantastic for your health.
Maintain a Healthy Body Weight
For those who may be carrying a little extra weight, this can put extra strain and stress on your bones, muscles and joints which will increase inflammation and pain. It’s best to maintain a healthy body weight, which is possible by staying active and eating a healthy well-balanced diet.
Use an Orthotic or Support
Osteoarthritis is enough to deal with and you certainly don’t want to risk injuring the area that is in pain. This is why it may also be wise to use an orthotic, brace or support. This will act as a preventative measure. To get maximum results, be sure to wear it all the time, not just during flare-ups.
Use Pain Aids During Flare-Ups
Many people with osteoarthritis will go through flare-ups when their inflammation and pain become worse temporarily. During these times you can use such things as over-the-counter pain medication and alternate between cold and hot packs. These will help to manage the pain and swelling until the flare-up subsides.
Shots and Injections May be Necessary
If you feel the above-mentioned pain aids aren’t enough and don’t offer relief, it may be time to step things up and advance to the next level. You may benefit from a corticosteroid injection. This type of shot quickly reduces inflammation, which can then alleviate much of the pain you are feeling. The results are temporary, but they can be enough to get you through your flare-up.
The best advice is to talk to your doctor if typical over-the-counter medication isn’t doing enough and ask about an injection.
Surgery May Be Recommended
In some cases, your doctor may recommend surgery to address the pain and discomfort of osteoarthritis. If your cartilage is in very poor condition and extensively broken down, your joints will end up rubbing together. This causes a lot of swelling, pain, and stiffness, which can make everyday life uncomfortable, to say the least.
There are different types of surgery that can be used to treat pain. The surgeon will need to assess your condition to determine the best path. The various types of surgery include:
- Arthroplasty
- Arthroscopy
- Joint fusion
- Osteotomy
If orthopaedic surgery appears to be the best path, you can speak to the professionals at the Circle Health Group, who provide orthopaedic surgery options. They can effectively treat issues that affect your joints and bones, helping you to lead a more comfortable life with less pain, stiffness, and swelling.
Don’t Discount the Power of Positive Thinking
The final tip is something that people don’t always give enough credit to, but it can have a profound effect. The power of positive thinking can help you to get through those painful days, help you to push forward and believe there will be better times.
If you have a hard time getting into this mindset, you can try using daily affirmations, meditation, read books on positive thinking and start to shift the way you view life. You may even wish to join a support group so you can connect with others who are experiencing similar health issues. Journaling can also help you to get your feelings out in a constructive manner.
Life Can Carry on as Normal
While a diagnosis of osteoarthritis can certainly seem scary and even depressing, it doesn’t mean life has to change drastically. You can still carry on with all your parenting duties, managing and addressing your pain and inflammation to ensure you are as comfortable as possible.
Disclosure: This is a collaborative post