In the active stage of RA, the patients should avoid doing too much joint activities because the strenuous exercise can injure joint synovium and worsen joint inflammation. When the flares of disease is well controlled, the patients can actively do joint functional exercise so as to maintain joint functions and prevent deformity or ankylosis of joint.
*Supply necessary elements to the diet. Some foods such as whole grains, fish, green vegetables and olive oil are helpful to resist joint damage and prevent aggravation of the illness condition. Some other foods are not suggested for the people with RA. For example, greasy foods can raise cholesterol and lipid levels, thus increasing risks of hear and brain vascular hardening.
*In addition, the patients should restrict the intake of sugar in daily diet, especially those on long-term use of glucocorticoids, since this can increase the risks of glycometabolism.
*Hot compress can be self-applied by the patients to treat their disease. It refers to place the electric heating pad under the lesioned area. The warm effects of hot compress can help to improve focal blood circulation, promote metabolism, drive cold and alleviate pains in the patients, thus achieving the purpose of treating disease.
Those are some easy steps for the patients with RA to control the disease and improve their health. However, those are health care methods and can not replace the treatment; if you suffer from severe symptoms of Rheumatoid Arthritis, you will need to see a doctor immediately.
