Check out this website for arthritis education and information

Arthritis

  The Arthritis Foundation has a great website that offers patients up-to-date information concerning varied arthritis diagnoses. The site, www.arthritis.org, is easy to follow and the information is reliable.  Similar to the Osteoarthritis lesson plan posted earlier this week, the Arthritis Foundation offers their own self-management information sheet at  http://www.arthritis.org/how-to-care-for-yourself.php. Their self-management information sheet includes the following points:

·         Get an accurate diagnosis, including lab work

 

“What is that doctor looking for anyway?”

     

Antinuclear antibodies (ANA), tests for Sjogren’s syndrome, polymyositis,

       rheumatoid arthritis

      

Rheumatoid Factor (RF), tests for Rheumatoid arthritis

     

Uric Acid, tests for gout

 

Erythrocyte sedimentation rate, (ESR) or sed rate, tests for inflammation

 

Lyme serology, Lyme disease

 

Skin biopsy, lupus, vasculitis, psoriatic arthritis

 

Muscle biopsy, polymyositis, vasculitis

 

·      Early diagnosis, early treatment, There is a window of opportunity (two year after symptom onset).

·         Protect your joints, start a regular exercise program

·         Vitamin C, antioxidants, folic acid can relieve side-effects of some medications

 

•  Take a relaxation break

·         Weight loss, more weight means more stress on your joints

·         Stop smoking, smoking interferes with the healing process

·         Spiritual belief and prayer, research has shown this works to help patients feel better

 

•    Be informed about current medication

 

 Check out this great MSN video - New Drug for Arthritis Relief

    

Reference

 Arthritis Foundation (n.d.). How to Care for Yourself. Retrieved from  

     http://www.arthritis.org/how-to- care-for-yourself.php.

NBC News (2012). New Drug for Arthritis Relief. Retrieved from  

     http://www.bing.com/videos/watch/video/new-drug-for-arthritis-relief/1d2udd484.