There is more than one type of arthritis and it is important to know what you have before you can begin proper treatment. If you find this fact helpful, then read this article because it contains even more helpful advice in order to help you live comfortably in the face of this painful condition.

Be patient with your doctor. With over a hundred different kinds of arthritis in existence, it may take a lot of time and tests before your doctor can tell you which specific one you have. In the meantime, research arthritis in general to find out what you may be dealing with in the future.

Learn how to budget your energy. You might not have as much energy as you are used to, and there are more activities you need to do, such as exercising. Find ways to restore your energy for instance, with power naps or healthy snacks, and establish a schedule of your activities so you find time to do everything.

Pay close attention to the strength of your muscles around the knees and the quadriceps. Spend time with a trainer to learn the safest ways for you to help work on these important muscle groups. Your hip and thigh are also a great area to work on as well.

To use a manual stapler while living with arthritis, press down on the stapler with your forearm. Do this instead of using your wrist. The wrist is one area that can become especially sensitive and painful during an arthritis flare up. Keeping from having to use it during those moments means less pain for you, and the task getting accomplished faster too.

Protein should be a key part of your diet, when battling arthritis fatigue. You need protein to rebuild the parts of your body which are damaged by exercise or injury, so ensuring that you get an ample amount in your diet is hugely important. If you don't like to eat meat, try adding some protein powder to a smoothie for breakfast.

To help with arthritis, you should always protect your joints. You shouldn't just sit around all day; you need to move around from time to time so your joints aren't always in the same place. When you are doing your many tasks throughout the day, you should always use the stronger joints in your body to accomplish your goal.

Getting 8 hours of sleep a night is great, but it won't help if you're not getting a sound sleep. Arthritis may bother you while you're in bed, so why not check out some of the items available to help you get and stay comfortable over night? You may also adjust pain medications to cope with your joint troubles.

Take family and friends to medical appointments so you can get the information from your doctor right to your loved ones. They will be able to ask questions you might not have thought of and remember items that might slip your mind. It's great to have multiple perspectives on your arthritis care.

Thinking positive thoughts can help you to cope with arthritis pain. It might sound silly, but a strong mind/body connection does exist. If your mind thinks positive, it is difficult for your body to feel negative. Fill your life with happiness and you might just find that your pain quickly diminishes.

Sometimes, the treatments that your doctor offers for arthritis can be assisted and enhanced with alternative treatments such as hydrotherapy, yoga, hot and cold therapy or some herbal or dietary supplements. Be sure to ask your doctor about alternative treatments that will help you make the most of your arthritis care.

Youngsters who have juvenile rheumatoid arthritis must be encouraged to visit a physical therapist on a regular basis to establish and maintain an exercise program. Frequent follow-ups will keep this program properly adjusted to the child's current abilities. A good physical therapy program should include: range-of-motion, strength training and endurance training.

While it may not be possible to dodge arthritis, it is almost always possible to deal with it. Simple steps, like the ones in this article, can ease arthritis pains and make it easier to put the affliction out of mind. The sufferer bears no responsibility for the onset of arthritis, but he or she can do a lot to minimize its impact.