Best Assistive Tools for Rheumatoid Arthritis

Rheumatoid arthritis is a painful and sometimes debilitating condition that is experienced by many Australians. However, there are tools available to assist people to maintain a high quality of life and continue doing the things they love while living with rheumatoid arthritis. Advances in technology as well as simple everyday items, combined with medication, diet and exercise, can help people with rheumatoid arthritis to live full and active lives.

What Is Rheumatoid Arthritis?

 Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a condition that causes inflammation and pain in the joints of the body. It’s an autoimmune disease, which means the body’s immune system attacks healthy cells. While a healthy person’s immune system fights off bacteria and viruses, a person with an autoimmune condition has an immune system that mistakes the body’s cells for foreign invaders.

 Rheumatoid arthritis affects the joints of the hands, knees, hips and ankles, but it can also affect other parts of the body. The condition normally develops in middle age, with more women than men suffering from the disease. It is a common condition in Australia, affecting one in every fifty people.

 Joints in the body are surrounded by a fluid called synovium. This fluid allows the joint to move smoothly, so we can bend, stretch and move without any problems. For people with rheumatoid arthritis, the immune system releases inflammatory chemicals to attack the cells of the synovium. This causes inflammation, leading to stiffness, pain and difficulty moving the joint.

 Rheumatoid arthritis is a chronic condition that can be treated but not cured. Although it is more likely that you will have rheumatoid arthritis if someone in your family has the disease, doctors do not understand what causes the condition or what can be done to prevent its onset. However, smoking, obesity and a diet high in sugar and sodium increases the risks of developing rheumatoid arthritis and should be avoided by anyone with a family history.

What Are the Symptoms of Rheumatoid Arthritis?

People with rheumatoid arthritis experience pain and stiffness in their joints. Some people will experience intense pain in only one area, such as the hands, while others will ache across their entire body, similar to the feeling of having the flu.

Some of the common symptoms include swelling in the joints of both hands or both feet, stiffness, redness, tenderness and pain. Other symptoms include fatigue, fever and loss of appetite. In extreme cases, people can experience loss of joint function and deformities.

The symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis are similar to other types of arthritis, such as osteoarthritis, and you may be referred to a specialist doctor for a formal diagnosis.

Often, people with rheumatoid arthritis will experience flare ups or periods of the day when the symptoms are worse than others. For example, many people living with rheumatoid arthritis are particularly sore and stiff when they wake up in the morning.

What Are the Treatments for Rheumatoid Arthritis?

Although there is no way to cure rheumatoid arthritis, there are now many ways to treat the symptoms and slow the progression of the disease. People with rheumatoid arthritis can still enjoy a high quality of life and minimal pain thanks to effective treatments and ongoing research.

When you are diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis, your doctor will use a range of treatments including medication, diet changes, exercise and home remedies. Each patient requires an individualised healthcare plan to meet their own treatment needs. This allows people living with rheumatoid arthritis to continue living a healthy and active life.

Medication

Most of the medications used to manage rheumatoid arthritis are designed to reduce pain and inflammation. These include a mix of over-the-counter medications and prescription medication. Common medication choices include nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), corticosteroids and acetaminophen.

Other medications are designed to slow the damage that rheumatoid arthritis causes to the body. Disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs (DMARDs) work to stop the body’s immune system response, so that healthy cells are no longer attacked and damaged. This can prevent inflammation and prevent damage to the joints.

Diet

The food that we eat has an enormous impact on all aspects of our health. The role of diet in controlling things like inflammation, pain and even mental health is only just beginning to be fully understood.

People living with rheumatoid arthritis may be recommended a specialised diet to reduce inflammation and help with symptoms. Foods with plenty of omega-3 fatty acids are the best for achieving this, including fatty fish (salmon, tuna and mackerel), chia seeds, flax seed and walnuts. Antioxidants have also been shown to reduce inflammation. Foods high in vitamins A, C and E include dark chocolate, spinach, strawberries, blueberries and goji berries.

As well as these targeted food types, it’s important to maintain a balanced diet with plenty of fibre, fresh fruit and vegetables, and whole grains. People with rheumatoid arthritis should avoid food that can increase inflammation and cause flare ups, such as those high in saturated fat, trans fat and carbohydrates.

Exercise

When you are suffering from joint pain and inflammation, exercise can feel like the last thing you want to do. However, low-impact exercise is an important part of managing rheumatoid arthritis. Targeted exercises can improve range of motion, increase mobility and strengthen muscles. A frequent exercise routine can slow the progression of the condition and prevent additional stiffness and soreness. Stronger muscles relieve some of the pressure from the joints. Additionally, increased mobility and the ability to continue moving around freely greatly enhances quality of life.

Some exercises that are recommended for people with rheumatoid arthritis include gentle yoga, stretching, swimming, water aerobics and walking. A specialist can help to design an individualised exercise plan that works with your capabilities.

What Are Some Tools That Can Help With Rheumatoid Arthritis?

Living with rheumatoid arthritis can be challenging, especially during days of flare ups. However, there are lots of helpful at home tools that people can use to manage the condition, reduce pain, and get on with daily tasks.

Pain Relief Creams

Topical creams can be perfect for joint pain. Simply applying the cream to the area experiencing pain, such as the hands, ankles or knees, can provide instant relief. Many effective creams are available over-the-counter without a prescription, but you can speak to your doctor about accessing a stronger alternative if you would like.

Electric or Weighted Blanket

Heat is an effective treatment option for rheumatoid arthritis, soothing joint pain and preventing the cold that can increase stiffness. An electric blanket allows for instant warmth and comfort, and can be especially helpful in the mornings when joint stiffness is most problematic. Weighted blankets provide a similar type of relief.

Heat Packs

Heat packs can also help to provide local treatment and soothing heat to sore and stiff joints. These packs are inexpensive to purchase and can be quickly heated in the microwave for instant relief. Heat packs can be placed on any problematic part of the body, including the knees, back, ankles and hands. Placing one on when sitting down to relax or to watch television is an easy way to manage rheumatoid arthritis pain.

Medication Organiser

Anyone taking multiple medications a day should consider a pill case to keep track. Forgetting to take medication or accidentally taking a double dose can be dangerous, but a simple pill organiser allows you to manage your medication easily. There is a huge range of different pill organisers on the market, including ones that slip into a bag for days out and larger ones to keep at home and manage all your medication for the week.

Adaptive Utensils

When you have rheumatoid arthritis in your hands, simply having a meal can become challenging. Holding onto a knife and fork to cut up your meals can be difficult when your fingers are swollen and tender, leading to pain and frustration. Adaptive utensils have larger rubber grips so that they are easier to hold and don’t require a tight grip. They come in a range of types, including knives, forks, spoons and more, and are easy to put through the dishwasher with other utensils.

Dresser Multi-Tool

Getting dressed in the morning can also be highly difficult when you struggle to hold a zipper or do up a button. Rather than change your entire wardrobe to remove difficult clasps and straps, you can purchase a simple multi-functional tool that features many different sizes of button hooks, button loops, zipper pulls, zipper picks and shoelace hooks. They can be a bit tricky to use at first, but long-time rheumatoid arthritis sufferers love the convenience of being able to get dressed without difficulty or pain.

Kitchen Multi-Tool

These helpful kitchen tools make it easier to open bottles, jars and cans. Even people that don’t have rheumatoid arthritis can struggle with tight jar lids and tricky bottles. This tool allows people to open common food items with a loose grip and no strain on the wrist, elbow or shoulder.

Tilted Reading and Writing Board

For people with rheumatoid arthritis in their neck and upper back, dropping their head to read a book or to write can be painful. This easy-to-use board is adjustable so users can put books and papers at the perfect angle for them to be able to read and write with ease. Some models are also magnetic to secure office tools and papers as required. It can help to maintain good posture and prevent uncomfortable positions.

Grab Tool

Reaching and stretching can be difficult for people with rheumatoid arthritis, especially in the mornings when stiffness is at its worse. To help you reach your coffee cup to start the day, you can use this easy grab tool that allows people with arthritis to pick up objects with minimal effort. It assists with getting things down from shelves, picking them up from the floor and reaching for items around the house without the need to bend or stretch.

Mobile Phone Holder

Holding a phone may not be something you immediately think of as a potential problem, but these small and often slippery appliances can be challenging for people with rheumatoid arthritis. There are a range of mobile phone holders and tools on the market to make it easier. Some cases feature extra grip or a pop out ring on the back to hold onto. Many will also offer the added advantage of making it easy to prop up your phone when you talk hands-free.

Medication Delivery Service

Did you know you can skip the queue at the pharmacy and have your rheumatoid arthritis medication delivered direct to your door? Going to fill prescriptions and collect medication frequently can be difficult, especially if you have limited mobility or if you are avoiding going outside in particularly cold weather. A medication delivery service can assist to make sure you always have your medicine when you need it and you don’t need to leave the comfort of home. Speak to your local pharmacist to see if they offer this service, or explore other options in your area.

Medical Bracelet

We all hope that we are never in a situation where emergency services need to quickly access our medical information, but if it does happen it’s best to be prepared. A medical bracelet displays your condition, as well as other important information, so that first responders can give you the best quality of care. It’s an important tool when you have a chronic condition such as rheumatoid arthritis and it provides valuable peace-of-mind for you and your loved ones.

Apps

There are many apps designed for medical purposes, including specific apps for arthritis sufferers. Some well-rated free ones available on your smartphone include:

• Arthritis Tracker – this app provides tips and advice, allows users to track symptoms, and finds local events and support for people with arthritis.
• Arthritis Power – this app tracks symptoms, medications and medical history, and also allows users to share data to contribute to arthritis research.

There are many tools that people living with rheumatoid arthritis can use to manage their condition and improve their quality of life. Utilising these simple everyday products and services can ensure that rheumatoid arthritis doesn’t have to stop you from doing the things you love.

Need some assistance with care for yourself or your loved one? Find out how Homage can help!