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    How to Prevent Arthritis in Hands for Long-Term Relief

    How to Prevent Arthritis in Hands for Long-Term Relief

    Arthritic hands could make even the most simple tasks a challenge. The pain in your hands could take a toll on your quality of life and make it difficult to keep up with daily activities. 


    People with arthritis deal with shooting pain in the joints that could get worse over time. Osteoarthritis stiffness and constant hand pain usually need a long-term pain management strategy which takes plenty of effort on your end. For the many of us who still want to exercise, you’re not alone in this challenge. 


    Today we'll explore ways to prevent arthritis in hands, including lifestyle changes, exercises, and treatments. We'll also discuss the risk factors that increase the likelihood of developing arthritis in the hands and the importance of early detection and treatment. 

    Dimethyl Sulfoxide 

    This organic cream makes the list because it’s known to relieve pain and inflammation. Dimethyl Sulfoxide increases mobility in your joints for Rheumatoid Arthritis. It also manages excessive build-up of protein in organs and boosts your blood flow to the joints. 


    However, it’s important to note that you should do proper research before taking it. Dimethyl Sulfoxide can be prescribed by your physician and could have side effects. 

    Pool Exercises

    Who says you need to lift weights to get great exercise? Using water is easy on your joints, including your hands, and has amazing benefits. Swimming alone gives a tremendous boost to your cardiovascular endurance. You can still get creative with water aerobics which targets your upper and lower body while reducing the impact on your joints. Waist-deep water exercises could lessen the weight on your joints by at least 50%.

    Arthritis in Hands and What Causes It?

    Before we delve into prevention, it's essential to understand what arthritis in the hands is and what causes it. 


    Arthritis is a chronic condition that affects the joints in the body, and the hands are one of the most commonly affected areas. Arthritis in the hands is a degenerative joint disease that can cause pain, stiffness, and swelling in the joints. It's a progressive disease, meaning it will get worse over time if left untreated. 


    There are different types of arthritis that can affect the hands, such as osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, and psoriatic arthritis. 

    • Osteoarthritis is the most common type of arthritis and occurs when the cartilage that cushions the joints wears away over time, causing bones to rub against each other. 
    • Rheumatoid arthritis is an autoimmune disease that causes inflammation in the joints, leading to pain, stiffness, and swelling. Rheumatoid arthritis typically affects both hands symmetrically. 
    • Psoriatic arthritis is a type of arthritis that can develop in people with psoriasis, causing joint pain, swelling, and stiffness. The body's immune system attacks healthy cells mistakenly, leading to inflammation in the joints. 
    Understanding the various types of arthritis that affect the hands can help detect the initial indicators and symptoms, thus enabling one to take preventive measures against the condition deteriorating.

    Arthritis Symptoms: Early Signs You Should Look Out For

    Arthritis in the hands can develop slowly over time, and it is important to recognize the early signs and symptoms so that treatment can be initiated early on. 


    Some of the most common symptoms of arthritis in the hands include:

    • Persistent pain
    • Stiffness
    • Swelling
    • Limited range of motion in finger joints 

    You may experience worsening pain and stiffness in the morning or after periods of inactivity and may improve with movement. As the condition progresses, the joints may become deformed and knobby, and the fingers may drift away from the thumb. Other signs of arthritis in the hands may include a crunching or grinding sound when moving the joints.

    It is important to note that some of these arthritis symptoms may also be caused by other conditions, such as carpal tunnel syndrome or tendinitis. Therefore, if you are experiencing any of these symptoms, it is important to consult with a healthcare provider for an accurate diagnosis. 

    Risk Factors for Developing Arthritis in Hands

    While anyone can develop arthritis in their hands, certain risk factors, such as genetic and environmental factors, can increase the likelihood of developing the condition. Some of the most common risk factors for developing arthritis in the hands include:

    • Age: The risk of developing arthritis in the hands increases as a person gets older.
    • Gender: Women are more likely than men to develop certain types of arthritis in their hands, such as rheumatoid arthritis.
    • Family History: Individuals with a family history of arthritis are at a higher risk of developing the condition.
    • Previous Injuries: Injuries to the hands or wrists can increase the risk of developing arthritis in the hands later in life.
    • Occupation: Environmental factors triggers, such as carrying out repetitive motions with the hands, typing, or manual labor, can increase the risk of developing joint injury and arthritis hand pain.
    • Obesity: Being overweight or obese can put excess strain on the joints in the hands and increase the risk of developing arthritis.

    7 Ways to Prevent Arthritis in Hands

    While there is no guaranteed way to prevent hand arthritis, there are steps individuals can take to prevent disease progression. Here are some effective ways to prevent arthritis in the hands: 

    Maintain a Healthy Weight

    Being overweight or obese can put extra strain on the joints in the hands and increase the risk of developing arthritis. By maintaining a healthy weight, individuals can reduce the stress on their joints and lower their risk of developing arthritis. Foods that are high in omega-3 fatty acids, such as salmon and tuna, can help reduce inflammation and help protect the joints from damage. 

    Exercise Regularly

    Gentle motion hand exercises can help keep the joints in the hands flexible and reduce the risk of developing arthritis. Low-impact exercises, such as walking, swimming, or yoga, can be particularly helpful in maintaining joint health.

    Take Breaks from Repetitive Motions

    Performing repetitive motions of the hands, such as typing or using a mouse, can increase the risk of developing arthritis in the hands. Taking regular breaks and stretching the hands can help reduce the risk of developing the condition.

    Use Proper Hand Ergonomics

    Proper hand ergonomics involves maintaining good posture and using ergonomic tools and equipment to reduce strain on your hands. For example, when working on a computer, ensure that your keyboard is at a comfortable height and distance from your body. Use an ergonomic mouse or trackball to reduce strain on your wrist and avoid prolonged periods of typing without taking breaks. 

    Lift Objects Properly

    Lifting objects improperly can put excessive stress on your hands and lead to arthritis. When lifting objects, use your larger joints, such as your shoulders or forearms, to reduce the strain on your hands. Avoid lifting heavy objects above shoulder height or below your knees, as these positions can increase the risk of injury. 

    Use Assistive Devices

    Assistive devices can help reduce joint stress and prevent further damage to your hands. For individuals with weakened hand strength, orthopedic specialists may recommend using assistive devices such as grip-strengthening tools, adaptive utensils, or electric can openers. These tools can help reduce the strain on your hands and make everyday tasks easier and less painful. 

    Warm Up Before Activities

    Warming up your hands before engaging in activities that involve repetitive hand motions can help reduce the risk of developing hand arthritis. Simple exercises such as hand stretches or squeezing a stress ball can help increase blood flow to your hands and reduce stiffness. Orthopedic specialists may also recommend specific exercises that target hand and wrist flexibility and strength. 

    Managing Arthritis in Hands: Tips for Relieving Pain and Improving Mobility

    Dimethyl Sulfoxide 

    This organic cream makes the list because it’s known for its pain relief, anti-inflammatory, and tissue healing effects. Dimethyl Sulfoxide increases mobility in your joints for Rheumatoid Arthritis. It also manages excessive build-up of protein in organs and boosts your blood flow to the joints.


    However, it’s important to note that you should do proper research before taking these topical pain relievers. Dimethyl Sulfoxide can be prescribed by your physician and could have side effects. 

    Pool Exercises 

    Who says you need to lift weights to get great exercise? Using water is easy on your joints, including your hands, and has amazing benefits. Swimming alone gives a tremendous boost to your cardiovascular endurance. 


    You can still get creative with water aerobics which targets your upper and lower body while reducing the impact on your joints. Waist-deep water exercises could lessen the weight on your joints by at least 50%.

    Low-Impact Workouts for Arthritis in Hands

    Your exercise routine with arthritis hands might have to be flexible, but it doesn’t have to be too difficult. It takes thinking outside of the box and experimentation! Not to mention, you should always have recovery in mind just as much as your exercise workouts. Here are a few tips. 

    Stick to Low Impact Exercises:

    As mentioned above, low impact workouts such as water exercises are great, but there is much more. Consider cycling, elliptical machines, pilates, and yoga which are great for flexibility and strength training. 

    Actively use Heat:

    Heat is one of the best tools for your joints. It soothes the joints and relaxes your muscles. Lots of pain in hand and wrist area is caused by poor blood flow. Warm towels, packs, and compression products are great for recovery. 

    Icing:

    After a workout, try icing your body and joints for up to a half-hour. Ice is excellent for reducing inflammation and speeding up your recovery.

    Stick to Low Impact Exercises:

    As mentioned above, low impact workouts such as water exercises are great, but there is much more. Consider cycling, elliptical machines, pilates, and yoga which are great for flexibility and strength training. 

    Actively use Heat:

    Heat is one of the best tools for your joints. It soothes the joints and relaxes your muscles. Lots of pain in hand and wrist area is caused by poor blood flow. Warm towels, packs, and compression products are great for recovery. 

    Icing:

    After a workout, try icing your body and joints for up to a half-hour. 

    Ice is excellent for reducing inflammation and speeding up your recovery.

    Medications:

    Appropriate medications prescribed by your healthcare provider can help alleviate arthritis pain. These may include nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), analgesics, disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs (DMARDs), or biologic agents. It's essential to consult with your doctor to determine the best medication regimen for your specific condition.


    Physical Therapy:

    As mentioned above, low impact workouts such as water exercises are great, but there is much more. Consider cycling, elliptical machines, pilates, and yoga which are great for flexibility and strength training. 

    Wrist Compression Brace

    Using a brace is a fantastic way of preventing any further pain in your hands while you exercise. Arthritis hand pain is reduced by increasing your blood flow and boosting the functionality of your hands. The Koprez Wrist Compression Brace increases blood flow by up to 40%! Braces are a low-cost method of reducing your hand pain, and you could see results almost immediately during a workout. 


    The Koprez brace retains therapeutic heat that soothes your joints and is made with breathable, lightweight material. You could calm down your hand or wrist pain with strong support and unlock the true potential of your joints. Koprez guarantees that your hand pain will be relieved or your money back! 

    Splinting:

    Utilizing splints or braces can provide excellent support for your hands while exercising, reducing pain caused by arthritis. By increasing blood flow and enhancing hand functionality by up to 40%, splinting can help prevent further pain and discomfort in your hands.


    The Koprez wrist brace retains therapeutic heat that soothes your joints and is made with breathable, lightweight material. You could calm down your hand or wrist pain at night with strong support and unlock the true potential of your joints. 


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