Living
with a rheumatic disease does not necessarily mean living a limited lifestyle.
With proper management, a rheumatic disease often does not have to hinder your
daily activities.
Exercise
and rheumatic diseases:
Exercise,
when done correctly, can help reduce rheumatic disease symptoms, including the
following:
preventing
joint stiffness
keeping
muscles strong around the joints
improving
joint flexibility
reducing
swelling
reducing
pain
maintaining
strong and healthy bone and cartilage tissue
improving
joint alignment
improving
overall fitness
Exercise
is often times an integral part of a person's overall treatment plan for arthritis
or other rheumatic diseases. In addition, exercise may help with weight reduction
and increase your sense of well-being. There are three main types of exercises
that may be beneficial for persons with rheumatic diseases, including the
following:
range-of-motion
exercises
Range-of-motion exercises focus on moving the joints in
certain directions to improve flexibility and reduce stiffness.
strengthening
exercises
Strengthening exercises help increase or maintain muscle
strength around the joints, keeping joints more stable. Two common
strengthening exercises include isometric (tightening muscles without
using joints) and isotonic (strengthening muscles by using the joints)
exercises.
fitness
exercises
Fitness exercises improve a person's endurance and
cardiovascular health, while keeping muscles strong and joints more flexible.
Types of fitness exercises appropriate for most persons with rheumatic
diseases include walking, water exercise, and bicycling.
Always
consult your physician or caregiver before beginning any exercise program.
Diet
and weight management and rheumatic diseases:
Although
studies are underway to examine the effects of diet on rheumatic disease,
researchers do not fully understand the role of diet in rheumatic disease.
However, the Arthritis Foundation recommends the following dietary guidelines for
people with arthritis and other rheumatic diseases:
variety
Eating
a variety of foods from the five different food groups supplies your body with
the nutrients it needs. The strain of cooking certain foods combined with
fatigue, pain, and certain medications may make it more difficult for a person
with rheumatic disease to eat healthy. However, new appliances, resting
in-between food preparations, and occasional use of convenience foods can help
you eat a more varied diet.
weight
By
maintaining your ideal weight, you can reduce the strain on your
weight-bearing joints, such as the knees and hips. When trying to lose weight,
a person should eat less and exercise more.
fat,
cholesterol, and sugar
Avoiding too much fat, cholesterol, and sugar in
your diet also may help maintain your ideal weight. In addition, older adults
with rheumatic disease may have high blood pressure and heart disease, which
can largely be prevented with a proper diet.
starch
and fiber
A diet high in starch and fiber increases your energy level
and makes bowel movements more regular. In addition, many foods high in starch
and/or fiber are often low in fat, helping keep weight at a healthy level.
sodium
(salt)
A low-salt diet may benefit many older adults with rheumatic
disease who have high blood pressure. Sodium can cause water retention which
can aggravate high blood pressure. Some convenience foods, such as frozen
meals and fast food, are high in sodium. In addition, certain medications
cause the body to retain too much sodium.
alcohol
Alcohol
consumption can affect a medication's effectiveness. In addition, alcohol can
cause weight gain and weaken bones. Care should be taken when drinking
alcohol. Always consult your physician concerning how alcohol affects your
medications and your health.
The
following is a list of certain food associations and specific rheumatic diseases:
purines
Purines
are the components in certain foods that convert to uric acid in the body.
High levels of uric acid have been linked to the onset of gout.
low-calcium
and high-alcohol diets
Diets low in calcium but high in alcohol intake
may increase a person's chance of developing osteoporosis, a bone
deteriorating disease.
food
contamination
Certain bacteria on foods, such as Salmonella, may lead
to infectious arthritis.
Psychosocial
management of rheumatic diseases:
Living
with chronic pain and fatigue may leave a person feeling depressed and less able
to cope with the pain. A cycle of pain, depression, and stress may keep a person
from living his/her life to the fullest. Managing pain in a positive manner and
taking charge can help break such a cycle. Part of proper pain management involves
getting plenty of rest to preserve energy, including the following:
adequate
sleep
Sleeping eight to 10 hours a night is important in maintaining
your energy level and restoring your spirit. Sleep also allows the joints to
rest. Sometimes, an afternoon nap is beneficial in giving the joints a chance
to rest.
relaxation
Being
able to relax can help to minimize the stress in your life, thus minimize
symptoms. A relaxed body means the muscles are relaxed, relieving some of the
pain associated with rheumatic disease. Many different relaxation techniques
exist, including the following:
imagery
- picturing pleasant scenes.
prayer
(may provide soothing inspiration)
hypnosis
- focusing attention internally to create a deep form of relaxation.
biofeedback
- using sensitive electrical equipment to help become aware of your body's
reactions to stress, pain, and relaxation.
Consult
your physician or caregiver for more information about healthy living with a
rheumatic disease. |
