If you’re one of the approximately 18 million people worldwide who live with rheumatoid arthritis (RA), you know how debilitating it can be. Joint pain, stiffness, and swelling can make everyday tasks difficult. To help make life easier, let’s explore tips for seniors managing RA symptoms.

RA Facts

Rheumatoid arthritis, or RA, is a chronic inflammatory autoimmune disease in which the immune system attacks the tissue lining the joints. RA differs from other types of arthritis because it affects the same joints on both sides of the body. The most commonly affected areas are the toes, fingers, wrists, ankles, hands, feet, and knees, but RA can also cause fatigue, eye conditions, dry mouth, digestive problems, skin conditions, and lung scarring.

RA can develop at any age, but most people develop the disease between 30 and 60. Seven out of 10 people with RA are women. When seniors develop RA after age 60, the disease is called late-onset or elderly-onset RA. People with elderly-onset RA make up about one-third of the RA population.

Tips for Managing RA Symptoms

Because RA attacks the joints, it can make tasks like showering and dressing difficult. Severe symptoms can also increase the risk of falling. However, having RA doesn’t mean you need to skip out on hobbies or stay sedentary. These tips can help you manage your symptoms.

Stay Active

Many people with RA avoid exercise because of existing joint pain or fear that it will cause additional joint pain. However, the opposite is true! Incorporating flexibility, range of motion, aerobic, and strengthening exercises into your routine can help reduce pain, joint stiffness, and fatigue. Low-impact activities like walking, swimming, or yoga are great for seniors.

Safeguard Your Joints

Because RA attacks joints, you should try your best to protect them from additional stress or trauma. Using assistive devices (such as jar openers, ergonomic utensils, and shoehorns) helps reduce strain. Wearing knee and elbow pads when exercising also helps reduce the likelihood of injury. When RA symptoms act up, avoid repetitive movements that overwork painful joints.

Reduce Inflammation

Most of RA pain results from inflamed tissue between the joints. Heat, such as a warm shower or bath or a heating pad, can reduce inflammation. On the other hand, ice packs can help reduce joint swelling and pain. Over-the-counter NSAIDs like ibuprofen can also help. And, of course, take prescribed medications as directed and follow your doctor’s instructions carefully.

Eat Well

Believe it or not, your diet can affect your RA symptoms. Certain foods are considered inflammatory – meaning they can trigger or worsen inflammation in the body. These foods include processed meats (i.e., bacon, hot dogs, lunch meat), fried foods, refined grains (i.e., white bread, pasta), sugary drinks, alcohol, commercial baked goods, and trans fats. Avoid these! Instead, follow an arthritis-healthy diet filled with fish, fruits, vegetables, and whole grains.

Quit Smoking

If you’re a smoker, there are a thousand reasons why you should quit – and your RA is one of them. Smoking causes whole-body inflammation, the main trigger of RA. Smoking can impact RA treatment by reducing the effectiveness of certain medications, such as methotrexate, which is one of the primary treatments for RA. Quitting smoking as a senior – especially if you’ve smoked your whole life – can feel extremely difficult and daunting. There are many resources available!

Manage Stress

Did you know stress can worsen RA symptoms? When you’re stressed, your muscles naturally tense. The added strain in your muscles can heighten your arthritis pain. Stress also sets off your immune system’s inflammatory response, which, as we’ve learned, triggers RA symptoms. Stress-relief tactics like practicing mindfulness and listening to music can help.