When was the last time that you changed your brand or type of contact lens? If you have been using the same brand and type of contact lenses for several years, it may be time for you to learn about the newer versions that are on the market today. You may find that there is no longer the need to struggle with putting your lenses in each day, cleaning them, and messing around with those little storage containers. Extended wear contact lenses may be an option for you like they are for me. After being told five years ago that I could not wear extended wear lenses, the design of them have changed and I now wear them for an entire week before removing them! Learn more about the various contact lenses on the market today to help yourself, find some that are perfectly comfortable and less of an inconvenience!
Do you suffer from arthritis in your hands? Do you have a hard time with simple tasks, like typing on a keyboard, buttoning your shirt, or even tying your shoes? Arthritis can be a painful and irritating condition. It's caused by the deterioration of cartilage in your hands, which means that your bones are often rubbing against each other when your hands are in motion. While there are a number of pain relief medications, for many people there's no cure-all for the condition. However, there are steps you can take to reduce your discomfort. Here are three tips to manage your hand arthritis:
1. Keep your hands active. It may be tempting to rest your hands and not use them at all. However, that will likely only speed the deterioration of cartilage. Your cartilage needs frequent activity to stay strong. Activity will also increase blood flow, which may ease some of the pressure on your bones.
You may not feel like going to the gym and picking up weights. However, there are other things you can do. Any activity in a swimming pool will likely feel good because your hands and bones are weightless. Also, you can do various stretching exercises with your fingers. One helpful exercise for many arthritis sufferers is to spin each finger in a few circles, one finger at a time. The motion will loosen your fingers up and keep the remaining cartilage strong.
2. Use arthritis wax. It may feel funny at first, but dipping your hands in hot wax could be an effective treatment option. Many arthritis specialists and medical supply companies sell paraffin wax just for this purpose. You heat the wax up to the specified temperature. Then you dip your hands in repeatedly, until your hands are covered in several layers of warm, dried wax. After several minutes, you peel the wax off.
The goal is to increase blood flow, relax your muscles, and increase fluidity in your joints. It can be especially helpful in the winter, when your hands may feel especially stiff.
3. Lose weight. When you're suffering from arthritis, one of the most important things you can do is reduce the amount of pressure on your joints. If you're carrying a few extra pounds, that could be increasing the strain on your joints, even in your hands. Try shedding some weight to see if your pain lessens. You may find that with less weight to support, your joints actually work pretty well.
For more information, contact an arthritis specialist like Arthritis & Rheumatology Associates of South Jersey. They can help you design a specific course of treatment for your hands.
Share