For this week's blog entry, I have created an infographic called "The Caro Cheat Sheet.” In this cheat sheet I will share tips and tricks I have picked up so far in my journey to help make living with RA more manageable.
Fueling your body correctly is very important when having an autoimmune disease. Try and avoid certain things such as sugar, sodas, fried foods, and high amounts of grains. Autoimmune disease or not, it’s always important to keep your body hydrated. In my blog from Week 3, I talked about good diets to follow to decrease inflammation.
RA patients often struggle with fatigue. It’s important to focus on getting good sleep to help reduce fatigue. Try avoiding caffeine late in the day because it tends to keep you up at night. It’s also helpful to have a good bedtime routine, such as going to bed at the same time every night and limiting screen time before bed.
Using heat and cold therapy can offer relief on your joints. Heat decreases joint stiffness and can make joints more mobile/flexible.Cold can reduce swelling and numb painful areas.
Stress and other mental health problems can be tied to RA. It’s important to prioritize your mental health and focus on reducing stress. Meditation and limiting screen time can help ease stress. Don’t be afraid to say no to things. You can reduce stress and conserve energy this way.
In the final section I included a few random tips to keep in mind. Your body knows best. Listen to it. Waking up earlier in the morning to be able to take your time getting up and stretching can help improve your days. Surrounding yourself with a solid support system of people is crucial. It’s important to have people around you that can help you when you're struggling. Anti-inflammatory medications such as Tylenol, Aleve, and Advil can help when you’re hurting. IMPORTANT: make sure to talk to your doctor before taking anything to make sure it doesn’t negatively interact with any other medications you might be taking.
Comments