Osteoarthritis is one of the most common joint problems that people face. The cartilage breaks down over time, which causes the bones to rub against each other. The condition affects nearly 30 million people across the country. Most people with the disorder are over 50 years old. Here are some tips for reducing the pain.

Lose Weight

Extra weight places a lot of stress on your joints. Losing some of those extra pounds is one of the best ways to reduce the effects of osteoarthritis.

Losing weight will be especially helpful for your knees joints, because they need to bear about three times your body every time you take a step. Your hips and spine will also benefit, because extra weight places a lot of stress on them as well.

Follow Low-Impact Exercises

While losing weight is important, you need to be careful to avoid exercise programs that can create unnecessary stress on your joints. Studies have shown that high impact exercises such as running can be good for most people. However, those findings also showed that older people who didn’t engage in high impact exercises when they are younger may develop joint problems and it may be too late to start doing these exercises.

If you are already suffering from osteoarthritis should avoid high-impact exercises. Try doing exercises that are lighter on your joints instead such as swimming, tennis or riding a bicycle.

Use Orthopedic Gear

Orthopedic gear becomes increasingly important as you get older. It will both reduce the probability of an injury and reduce gradual wear and tear of your joints.

You will want to wear the necessary gear to protect your joints, especially if they have already been injured. Elbow pads, helmets and other cushioning gear can reduce stress on your joints to prevent further degradation.

Use Hot and Cold Packs

Hot and cold packs can alleviate problems with arthritic joints. You can apply hot packs to improve circulation, which reduces tension and eases pain. You can also use cold packs to reduce swelling and numb pain.

Everybody’s body works differently. You will want to experiment with both hot and cold packs to find out what works best for you.

Follow a Carefully Balanced Diet

You will also want to make sure that you follow a well-balanced diet. There are several nutrients that can help reduce the symptoms of osteoarthritis:

• Vitamin C
• Omega-3
• Calcium

While eating foods with these nutrients is important, you need to be careful not to focus on the nutrients too much. It is better to try to eat a rounded diet with plenty of healthy foods.

Know When to See a Doctor

People suffering from mild forms of osteoarthritis can usually manage their symptoms on their own. However, the pain can become more difficult to treat if it becomes more severe.

You may need to eventually see a doctor. They provide a hip replacement in Phoenix AZ or give you a prescription for anti-inflammatory medications. Be aware of your pain levels and know when it is time to get help. The problem will only get worse if the pain isn’t treated properly.

About the author: Kalen is a prolific health and wellness writer. He shares tips on staying healthy and living a long life.