Rheumatoid arthritis is an autoimmune condition involving the small joints in the hands and feet. If an individual suffers from rheumatoid arthritis, the pain and discomfort is due to the attack of the immune system on the affected bone tissues. These attacks will lead to pain, swelling and inflammation. In most cases, individuals can experience pain during night time at the end of all the activities in which the body is preparing to rest and there is minimal movement.
Always remember that there is no cure for rheumatoid arthritis and the symptoms usually come and go over time. Nevertheless, there are several steps that you can perform when managing the pain caused by rheumatoid arthritis at night. By enrolling in a first aid class, you can easily relieve these symptoms.
Steps in managing rheumatoid arthritis pain at night
- Encourage the individual to perform hand exercises. Take note that hand exercises help maintain the flexibility of the hands and joints in order to prevent stiffness. Hand exercises can be performed at any time during the day. You can start by instructing the individual to hold his/her hand and fingers straight up in line with the wrist and forearm. The fingers must be slowly bent at the end or middle joints. Position the fingers to the starting phase and repeat.
- You can apply an over-the-counter topical cream to help relieve the pain. It is important to note that there are two types of creams available in the market. Most of these creams usually contain eucalyptus oil or menthol as the active ingredient while others contain salicylates which act similar to aspirin. If the individual is allergic to aspirin, it is best to consult a doctor first.
- Provide the individual with an over-the-counter non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) such as ibuprofen or acetaminophen. In case the symptoms of pain persist for more than 2 days, it is time to consult a doctor.
- The individual must be encouraged to exercise on a regular basis in order to strengthen the joints. Just remember not to overdo any activity as well as avoid high impact exercises. Tai Chi has been proven to be highly effective in improving the symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis due to the variability of the consecutive poses.
- The individual should avoid repetitive activities or staying in a single position for extended periods. In some cases, work-related activities can lead to pain, stiffness or discomfort. It is best to take intermediate breaks or adjust the position occasionally. The individual can even discuss his/her condition with the employer since they have accommodation programs that the individual can take part in to avoid further injury while working.
- Therapy must be included in the treatment such as massages or heat and cold therapies. The individual can visit the spa to receive a massage that can be tailored to specific health needs. As for the heat treatment, it includes warm baths or using a heating pad. The commonly used cold treatment is the application of an ice pack. Just make sure that the skin will cover the skin using a towel or cloth first in order to avoid injury from the cold.