A future free from arthritis

We’ve been lucky to enjoy some warm days recently and while most of us love a bit of sunshine, the warmer weather can affect some people with arthritis. Some people find hot and humid summer weather can make symptoms worse.

Some people with arthritis are worried about exercising and believe it could make their arthritis or musculoskeletal condition worse. We asked Dr Benjamin Ellis, Consultant Rheumatologist and Senior Clinical Policy Advisor at Arthritis UK, to answer your questions about exercising with arthritis.

If your condition is making it difficult to do everyday tasks such as getting about or caring for yourself, and this is causing you extra living expenses, you may be entitled to financial support. Find out what financial support is available.

If your condition is affecting you at work, you can discuss and agree reasonable adjustments with your employer. But you may also need specialist equipment and support which can be funded through the Government's Access to Work scheme.

If you're in pain or can’t do something, it might make you short-tempered or put you in a low mood. On the other hand, feeling positive about finding a solution or focusing on things you can do makes the physical symptoms of arthritis easier to deal with. But there are ways you can look after your emotional wellbeing and manage your relationships with people around you.

Living with a long-term condition such as arthritis can affect your mental health in many ways. You may not able to socialise as much as you used to, or need help with certain tasks, and you may not be comfortable asking for help. But, with the right support and keeping connected, it's easier to cope. 

Although there are no diets or supplements that will cure your arthritis, some people find their condition is affected by what they eat. There are many types of arthritis, and what works for one person may not work for another but when it comes to what we eat, two things have the biggest impact.

The Arthur Tut TikTok dance challenge features moves that help manage arthritis by encouraging a full range of motion and a healthy dose of attitude. Why not have a go?

Research funded by Arthritis UK led to the development of a new class of drugs, known as biologics, which have transformed the treatment of inflammatory arthritis and improved the lives of almost 2 million people worldwide. In June 2021, biologics were approved for people with moderately active rheumatoid arthritis, enabling thousands more people to benefit from these treatments.

We’ve all been told that knuckle cracking causes arthritis. But is that really true? One of the most famous pieces of research was conducted by a doctor in California, Dr Donald Unger, who set out on a mission to see if cracking knuckles really causes arthritis. 

So many people don’t understand what it’s like to live with a condition that can have such a huge but hidden impact on your life. But we do. One place you can always find a friendly ear or an answer to a question is our online community forum. 

Managing arthritis isn’t just about medication: it’s about understanding your condition and making daily choices that support your wellbeing. My Arthritis is a free, expert-led self-management app that helps you to track your symptoms, monitor your lifestyle, and build long-term strategies for better health. Available on Apple and Android.

Biologic treatments have positively changed the way arthritis is treated, thanks to people like you who helped fund the early research that made this a reality. Your lottery ticket will help fund the next big leap in arthritis care. Not just a game, a game changer. 

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