Q18. How do you cope with arthritis?

A18. The emphasis is on managing the symptoms so that this improves your quality of life. There is no cure for arthritis but there are ways of making things that bit easier.

The important issue here is to have an arthritis management plan which includes a few self help option, e.g. diet and exercise plus treatment prescribed by your GP. This will include drugs, physiotherapy and occupational therapy if necessary.

People with arthritis have periods where the symptoms are at their worst –known as a flare up – and times when the symptoms have eased and their energy levels are at their highest.

So you need to plan your days around these. Pace yourself as advised by your GP and accept help whenever needed.

Find out more about coping in our living with arthritis section. This section contains useful information about managing at home, being mobile and the affect of arthritis on your job/career.

Arthritis FAQs:

Arthritis FAQs

• Q1. What is arthritis?
• Q2. How common is arthritis?
• Q3. Does arthritis only affect older people?
• Q4. Why do many more women than men get arthritis?
• Q5. How many types of arthritis are there?
• Q6. What is the most common type of arthritis?
• Q7. Which joints are most likely to be affected by arthritis?
• Q8. What causes arthritis?
• Q9. What are the signs of arthritis?
• Q10. How is arthritis diagnosed?

• Q11. How is arthritis treated?
• Q12. What are anti-inflammatories?
• Q13. How do steroids work?
• Q14. What are disease modifying anti-rheumatic drugs?
• Q15. What is methotrexate?
• Q16. What are anti-TNF drugs?
• Q17. What is Prednisolone?
• Q18. How do you cope with arthritis?
• Q19. Can you inherit an arthritis gene?
• Q20. Is there a cure for arthritis?