About.com Arthritis

What Arthritis Patients Should Know About Biologics

Wed, 18 Nov 2009 23:54:52 +0000

In the late 1990s, the first of several biologics went on the market to treat rheumatoid arthritis. The first was Enbrel (etanercept) -- but it did not take long for other biologics to be developed and marketed. Biologics target molecules on cells of the immune system, joint, and the products that are secreted in the joint, all of which can cause inflammation and joint destruction.

Who should use biologics? Perhaps even more importantly, who should not use biologics? If you decide biologics are for you, what helps you decide which biologic to try? Learn more in What Arthritis Patients Should Know About Biologics?

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What Arthritis Patients Should Know About Biologics originally appeared on About.com Arthritis on Wednesday, November 18th, 2009 at 23:54:52.

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Memory Foam Is Comforting to Arthritis Patients

Sun, 15 Nov 2009 23:15:35 +0000

You've probably seen pillows, mattresses, mattress toppers, and seat cushions made of memory foam. Usually, memory foam is made of polyurethane and added chemicals that increase its viscosity and density.

Memory foam is firmer when cooler. High density memory foam reacts to body heat -- molding to a warm human body in a few minutes. A lower density memory foam reacts to pressure and molds quickly.

Regardless, memory foam products have become popular among chronic pain and arthritis patients looking for comfort when sitting, resting, or sleeping. Look at a few of your options in Memory Foam Products.

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Memory Foam Is Comforting to Arthritis Patients originally appeared on About.com Arthritis on Sunday, November 15th, 2009 at 23:15:35.

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Cricoarytenoid Joint - What You Should Know

Sat, 14 Nov 2009 23:45:09 +0000

The knee, hip, wrist, elbow, and even shoulder joints are commonly affected by arthritis -- but what about the cricoarytenoid joint? The cricoarytenoid joints are between the cricoid and paired arytenoid cartilages in the back wall of the larynx. The cricoarytenoid joints help open, close, and tighten the vocal cords during speech and breathing.

About one in three rheumatoid arthritis patients suffers from cricoarytenoid arthritis. Why some people get it and others don't is not known. Learn more about symptoms, prevalence, and treatment in Cricoarytenoid Joint - What You Should Know.

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Cricoarytenoid Joint - What You Should Know originally appeared on About.com Arthritis on Saturday, November 14th, 2009 at 23:45:09.

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Systemic Disease in Arthritis Explained

Wed, 11 Nov 2009 21:20:10 +0000

When you think about arthritis, you likely think "joint disease." But there are certain types of arthritis, like rheumatoid arthritis and lupus, that have "extraarticular manifestations" -- meaning, the disease affects areas of the body outside of the joints. When this occurs, especially in multiple organ systems in the body, that form of arthritis is referred to as a systemic disease.

There are over 100 types of arthritis. Learning about the individual types of arthritis can help you determine whether systemic disease is likely, and what you can expect. What are some examples of extraarticular involvement? Why do some arthritis patients develop systemic disease, while others are limited to joint disease? Learn more in Systemic Disease in Arthritis Explained.

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Systemic Disease in Arthritis Explained originally appeared on About.com Arthritis on Wednesday, November 11th, 2009 at 21:20:10.

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Grab Bars Create a Safe Bathroom Environment for Arthritis Patients

Sun, 08 Nov 2009 23:12:09 +0000

Everyone should be careful when they get in and out of a shower or bathtub. People with arthritis are dealing with limited range of motion, pain, and weakness -- so safety is a concern. Grab bars can improve bathroom safety.

If you have grab bars, suffice to say, you have made necessary improvements and created a safe environment. If you don't, consider these grab bars for your bathroom. Check out some of your options in Grab Bars Create a Safe Bathroom Environment.

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Grab Bars Create a Safe Bathroom Environment for Arthritis Patients originally appeared on About.com Arthritis on Sunday, November 8th, 2009 at 23:12:09.

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Arthritis Medication Side Effects - What You Should Know

Fri, 06 Nov 2009 23:28:18 +0000

There are potential side effects with all arthritis medications. Some arthritis medication side effects are apparent (for example, a skin rash) while others may not be as obvious (such as elevated liver enzymes). You should know as much about potential side effects as you do about why you were prescribed the medication.

If bothersome side effects do occur, you have essentially three options. Learn what those options are in Arthritis Medication Side Effects - What You Should Know.

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Arthritis Medication Side Effects - What You Should Know originally appeared on About.com Arthritis on Friday, November 6th, 2009 at 23:28:18.

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Jingle Bell Run / Walk for Arthritis

Wed, 04 Nov 2009 23:39:35 +0000

The Jingle Bell Run / Walk for Arthritis, more commonly and succinctly referred to as the Jingle Bell Run, is a 5K run or 5K walk (your choice!) to raise money and support the mission of the Arthritis Foundation, which is to prevent, control, and cure arthritis and related conditions. Not every state holds a Jingle Bell Run event, but many do. Most are held in November or December.

Several of our forum members participate in their local Jingle Bell Run, while others support someone else who participates. To learn more about when your local Jingle Bell Run event is being held, registering, forming a team, fundraising, and donating -- check out Jingle Bell Run / Walk for Arthritis.

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Jingle Bell Run / Walk for Arthritis originally appeared on About.com Arthritis on Wednesday, November 4th, 2009 at 23:39:35.

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TNF Blockers Do Not Increase Cancer Risk in Rheumatoid Arthritis Patients

Sun, 01 Nov 2009 23:44:43 +0000

A Swedish study has concluded that rheumatoid arthritis patients did not experience an increased cancer risk in the first 6 years of treatment with TNF blockers. Researchers from Karolinska University Hospital in Stockholm assessed short-term and medium-term cancer risk in rheumatoid arthritis patients using Remicade, Humira, and Enbrel.

According to the report published in the November 2009 issue of Arthritis & Rheumatism, the study was one of the largest and longest population-based assessments of cancer risk associated with immunosupressive therapy. Data from 6,366 patients who used TNF blockers between January 1999 through July 2006 was included in the study. Their data was compared to other groups of rheumatoid arthritis patients -- including more than 61,000 who were not taking medication, about 4,000 who were using methotrexate, and about 4,000 patients using a combination of DMARDs (not TNF blockers).

The overall cancer risk was found to be the same for rheumatoid arthritis patients on immunosuppressants as for those patients not taking medications. But researchers added, this is just one study and it doesn't erase uncertainty about cancer risk that will be proven over time. Patients should still have routine cancer screenings and be vigilant about any physical changes that might be indicative of cancer.

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TNF Blockers Do Not Increase Cancer Risk in Rheumatoid Arthritis Patients originally appeared on About.com Arthritis on Sunday, November 1st, 2009 at 23:44:43.

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Why Does Taking Fish Oil Help Rheumatoid Arthritis?

Fri, 30 Oct 2009 23:59:30 +0000

If you have rheumatoid arthritis, you may have been told by your doctor that taking fish oil is beneficial. If not told by your own doctor, you probably have heard about the recommendation. Fish oil reduces inflammation that is associated with many conditions, including arthritis. But how? Until now, there has not been a detailed explanation.

According to a paper published in Nature, researchers from Queen Mary, University of London and Harvard Medical School have determined how the body converts DHA, an ingredient found in fish oil, into a chemical referred to as Resolvin D2. They also analyzed the chemical structure of Resolvin D2 and studied how it interacts with white blood cells that adhere to the inner lining of blood vessels during the inflammatory process. The findings offer at least one explanation for how fish oil works -- important for understanding its role in preventing and treating arthritis -- and possibly other inflammatory conditions.

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Why Does Taking Fish Oil Help Rheumatoid Arthritis? originally appeared on About.com Arthritis on Friday, October 30th, 2009 at 23:59:30.

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Skim Milk May Help Manage Gout

Thu, 29 Oct 2009 05:19:31 +0000

Gout is considered one of the most painful types of arthritis. Managing gout can be difficult. Studies have shown that people who drink a lot of milk have a lower risk of developing gout. Last week, at the American College of Rheumatology Annual Scientific Meeting, researchers reported the results of a study which assessed the effect of skim milk on serum uric acid concentrations. Elevated uric acid concentrations can increase the risk of gout.

Along with three different types of skim milk, researchers also tested soy milk. After drinking soy milk, uric acid concentrations rose 10%. All skim milk versions brought uric acid concentration down by 10%. Bottom line -- skim milk may be beneficial for gout prevention, as well as gout treatment, because it reduces uric acid concentration short-term. Researchers are now studying long term effects.

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Skim Milk May Help Manage Gout originally appeared on About.com Arthritis on Thursday, October 29th, 2009 at 05:19:31.

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