With all this cold weather, my arthritis has really been acting up. Any tips at keeping the pain at bay?

You aren't alone. Arthritis affects over 45 million Americans and the winter months can be the hardest, as joints can feel stiff and cause pain.

There are some things you can do to help avoid arthritis pain getting worse. First of all, you should try to stay warm and stay dry. Wear appropriate clothing when going outdoors and dress in layers. Hot packs and warm baths can help keep you warm and your joints less stiff. It's also advisable to alternate cold and hot packs for 10 minutes, as the hot pack will relieve pain and the cold pack will reduce inflammation. Since inactivity can lead to flare-ups, you also want to do your best to stay active. Keeping those joints moving strengthens them. Be sure to keep a healthy diet. It's easy to eat differently in cold weather than warm, but you want to try and eat well all year long. Any excess weight you put on can exacerbate arthritis symptoms. Lastly, be very careful when walking around in wintry weather. A slip or fall injury takes longer to heal in the winter and can be very painful.

If your arthritis symptoms become too much, or if you've never seen a doctor for arthritis, make sure to come in to your primary care physician to talk about it. There are options that a doctor can help you with to alleviate the pain and frustration of arthritis.