A Daily Routine to Prevent Joint Pain and Swelling

Painful, swollen joints are more common during menopause as a woman ages. Fortunately, there are ways you can adjust your daily routine to help alleviate this discomfort. Continue reading to discover five daily habits that can prevent joint pain and swelling.

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Consume Vitamin C

Vitamin C is excellent way to eliminate free radicals and prevent damage to joint cartilage. The best sources of vitamin C are dark green leafy vegetables, bell peppers, citrus fruits, and strawberries. Even a small dose of vitamin C every day can significantly lower your risk of developing joint pain and swelling.

Stay Hydrated

Making sure that you drink enough water is not only a vital way to prevent swollen, painful joints, but also essential for maintaining overall health. Most physicians recommend drinking the equivalent of at least eight glasses of water each day. Staying properly hydrated allows your body to flush out unwanted irritants that can cause swollen joints and extremities.

Keep Active

Although it is tempting to lie around when you are suffering from joint pain and swelling, inactivity can actually exacerbate the problem. Instead, try to keep active throughout the day. Low-impact exercises such as swimming or walking can help to ease the symptoms of swollen joints.

Avoid Repetition

Daily activities that involve repetitive joint motions can cause joints to swell and hurt more. Doing office work or long-distance driving can especially increase your risk of joint pain and can exacerbate existing symptoms. If your job requires long periods of inactivity or repetitive movements, make sure you take breaks throughout the day to ease the pressure on your joints.

Get Good Sleep

Lack of sleep can cause already painful and swollen joints to worsen. Maintaining good sleep habits is essential, especially since painful joints can cause sleep difficulties. Avoid doing anything too mentally stimulating in the hours before bed, allowing your body to relax and get high quality rest at night.

Joint pain and swelling is a common condition, especially in the hands and feet. The best way to treat and prevent the discomfort is to make small but important changes to your daily routine. These little lifestyle adjustments can make a world of difference for the health of your joints.

Click on the following link for further information regarding joint pain treatments.