Arthritis For Dummies

Nadine Taylor is a registered dietitian and contributing editor to the bestseller The Arthritis Cure. She is also author of Green Tea: The Natural Secret to a Healthier Life.Barry Fox, PhD, is a best-selling writer who has authored or co-authored 20 health books and over 160 health-related articles. His works include the New York Times #1 bestseller, The Arthritis Cure, and many more.

• Introduction 1About This Book 1Foolish Assumptions 2Icons Used in This Book 3Beyond the Book 3Where to Go from Here 3Part 1: Making Sense of the Types of Arthritis 5Chapter 1: What Is Arthritis? 7Understanding How Arthritis Affects Your Joints 8Saying hello to your joints 8Looking at the types of synovial joints 11Distinguishing Between Arthritis and Arthritis-Related Conditions 14Defining “true” arthritis 14Classifying arthritis as a “major player” 16Describing arthritis as a “minor player” 17Experiencing arthritis as a “companion condition” 18Deciding Whether It’s Really Arthritis: Signs and Symptoms 19Considering the Causes of Arthritis 20Understanding Who Gets Arthritis 21Assessing Your Treatment Options 23Looking into medications 24Considering surgery 25Making lifestyle changes 25Looking at alternative approaches 26Chapter 2: Osteoarthritis: The Most Common Form 29Considering Cartilage 30Identifying the Signs and Symptoms of Osteoarthritis 31Discovering What Causes Cartilage Breakdown 33Considering causes of primary osteoarthritis 33Sorting out the sources of secondary osteoarthritis 34Regarding the repair problem 34Recognizing Risk Factors for Osteoarthritis 35Determining Whether It Really Is Osteoarthritis 36Treating Osteoarthritis 37Muting the pain with medication 37Lubricating your joints with exercise 38Protecting your joints through good alignment 38Heating and cooling the pain away 39Taking a load off with weight control 39Knowing how to help yourself 39Considering surgery 39Chapter 3: A War Within: Rheumatoid Arthritis 41Turning on Itself: When the Body Becomes Its Own Worst Enemy 42Recognizing the signs and symptoms of RA 43Understanding the causes of RA 45Pinpointing the most likely victim of RA 46Diagnosing Rheumatoid Arthritis 47Searching for clues: The medical history and physical exam 47Taking tests 47Treating Rheumatoid Arthritis 49Relying on rest during a flare 49Delving into your diet 50Easing into exercise and physical therapy 50Protecting your joints 50Applying hot or cold compresses 50Taking medication 51Saving your joints through surgery 53Reducing the risk factors for heart disease 54Predicting the outcome 54Focusing on the future 55Understanding the Difference between Osteoarthritis and Rheumatoid Arthritis 55Chapter 4: Investigating Other Forms of Arthritis 57Gaining Insight into Gout: It’s Not Just for Royalty 58Summarizing the symptoms 58Diagnosing and treating gout 60Helping yourself heal 60Studying Pseudogout: The Royal Pretender 61Summarizing the symptoms 61Diagnosing and treating pseudogout 61Understanding Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis 62Summarizing the symptoms 62Diagnosing and treating JIA 63Investigating Infectious Arthritis 64Summarizing the symptoms 64Diagnosing and treating infectious arthritis 64Getting a Grip On Gonococcal Arthritis 65Summarizing the symptoms 65Diagnosing and treating gonococcal arthritis 65Surveying Psoriatic Arthritis 66Summarizing the symptoms 66Diagnosing and treating psoriatic arthritis 66Anlalyzing Ankylosing Spondylitis 67Summarizing the symptoms 67Diagnosing and treating ankylosing spondylitis 68Chapter 5: Exploring Other Conditions Linked to Arthritis 69Experiencing Arthritis as a Major Player 70Systemic lupus erythematosus: The wolf disease 70Cutaneous lupus erythematosus: A less dangerous form 71Systemic scleroderma: When the skin hardens 72Reactive arthritis: From a stomach ache to arthritis 75Lyme disease: When you’re the bull’s-eye 77Experiencing Arthritis as a Minor Player 79Bursitis: When the bursae become swollen 79Tendonitis and tenosynovitis: Inflammationof the bone-and-muscle link 80Raynaud’s: A chilling problem 81Sjögren’s syndrome: Dry mouth, eyes, and maybe more 83Polymyalgia rheumatica: The pain of many muscles 84Paget’s disease: Becoming too bony 85Experiencing Arthritis as a Companion Condition 86Carpal tunnel syndrome: Nerve compression 86Fibromyalgia: The pain no one can find 87Polymyositis: A rare sapping of strength 88Dermatomyositis: Polymyositis plus 89Part 2: Tests and Treatments: What to Expect 91Chapter 6: Your Doctor and You: Allies Against Arthritis 93Positioning Yourself for Treatment Success 94Choosing a Good Doctor 94Determining whether the doctor is knowledgeable 95Sharing the same treatment philosophy 96Interviewing a prospective doctor 96Considering compatibility 97Working with Your Doctor 98Speaking Your Doctor’s Language 100Figuring Out When You Should Find a New Doctor 101Chapter 7: Judging Joint Health with Low- and High-Tech Tests 103Checking In for a Check-Up 103Presenting the past: Your medical history 104From head to toe: The physical exam 104Explaining Imaging Tests 106Examining the benefits of an X-ray 106Seeing more with a scan 106Backing Up a Diagnosis with Blood Tests 107Taking Other Tests on the Road to Diagnosis 109Joint aspiration 110Arthroscopy 110Genetic testing 110Urine testing 111Chapter 8: From Aspirin to Steroids: Medicines for Arthritis 113Talking to Your Doctor 114Exploring the Five Classes of Drugs for Arthritis 116Analgesics 116Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) 117Disease modifying antirheumatic drugs (DMARDs) 118Biologics 118Steroids 118Uncovering Specific Medicines for Specific Types of Arthritis 119Actemra 119Actonel 120Amoxil 121Anaprox-DS 121Ansaid 121Arava 121Arthrotec 122Aspirin 122Azulfidine 123Celebrex 123Cimzia 123Clinoril 124Cochicine 124ColBenemid 124Cosentyx 125Cymbalta 125Cytoxan 125Daypro 126Decadron 126Deltasone 126Disalcid 126Doryx 127Enbrel 127Etodolac 127Feldene 128Fosamax 128Humira 128Hymovis 129Ibuprofen 129Ilaris 129Imuran 130Indocin 130Keflex 130Ketoprofen 131Kevzara 131Kineret 131Medrol 132Miacalcin 132Mobic 132Naprosyn 133Olumiant 133Orencia 134Pediapred 134Penicillin 134Plaquenil 135Relafen 135Remicade 135Rheumatrex 136Rinvoq 136Rituxan 137Simponi and Simponi Aria 137Sulfinpyrazone 138Tacrolimus 138Taltz 138Tetracycline 139Tremfya 139Trilisate 140Tylenol 140Voltaren 140Xeljanz 141Zyloprim 141Chapter 9: Cuts That Cure: Surgeries for Arthritis 143Knowing What to Ask Your Doctor Before Undergoing Surgery 144Looking At Different Kinds of Joint Surgery 146Synovectomy: Removing a diseased joint lining 146Osteotomy: Cutting and resetting the bone 147Arthrodesis: Fusing the bone 147Arthroplasty: Replacing the joint 148Autologous chondrocyte implantation: Cartilage transplants 154Getting Ready for Surgery 155Getting yourself into the best possible physical shape 155Arranging adequate postoperative care 155Finding someone who can handle your responsibilities 156Resolving financial and insurance matters 156Making a recovery plan with your doctor 156Chapter 10: Overcoming the Ouch: Strategies for Pain Management 157Understanding Arthritis Pain 158Differentiating Between Acute Pain and Chronic Pain 158Breaking the pain cycle 159Dealing with chronic pain 159Assembling your treatment team 160Relieving Pain with Noninvasive Therapies 162Applying heat 162Applying cold 164Washing away pain with water therapy 164Trying topical pain relievers 165Manipulating the joints 166Helping the joints with splints and supports 166Transmitting a tingle with TENS 168Taking Pain Relief to the Next Level 168Medicating the pain away 168Undergoing surgery 169Part 3: The Arthritis Lifestyle Strategy 171Chapter 11: Fighting the Pain with Foods and Supplements 173Finding Foods That Heal 174Managing RA Mediterranean-style 176Using omega-3s and omega-6s to fight arthritis pain and inflammation 178Getting a grip on arthritis with green tea 181Avoiding Foods That May Be Trouble 181Saving Your Joints with Supplements 183What you need to know before taking supplements 183Fighting damaging oxidants and free radicals 184Warding off OA with boron 186Lowering homocysteine with vitamin B6 and folic acid 186Fighting OA and RA with vitamin D 187Pumping up cartilage with hydrolyzed collagen 187Combating Raynaud’s with niacin 188Zapping RA and psoriatic arthritis with zinc 188Relieving Arthritis Symptoms with Other Nutritional Substances 189Alleviating inflammation with aloe vera 189Supporting your joints with SAMe 189Battling inflammation with bromelain 190Curtailing the pain with capsaicin 190Guarding your joints with grapeseed extract 191Fighting disease with flaxseed oil 191Jettisoning OA pain with ginger 192Glucosamine sulfate and chondroitin sulfate: Cures for osteoarthritis? 192Chapter 12: Oiling Your Joints with Exercise 195Achieving Different Goals with Different Exercises 196Building cardiovascular endurance 196Strength training 198Increasing flexibility 199Easing Joint Pain with Exercise 200Stretching your neck 201Stretching your hand and wrist 201Extending the shoulder and arm 201Stretching your side 202Lifting your lower back and pelvis 203Stretching your hamstring 203Doing mini-sit-ups 205Extending your hip and back leg 206Rotating your ankle 206Using Yoga to Ease Arthritis Pain 207The snake 207The cat 208The pretzel 209Knee-to-chest stretch 209The spinal twist 210The child’s pose 211Using Chair Exercises to Save Your Joints 212Chair marching 212Chair running 212Chair dancing 212Chair fencing 213Maximizing the Healing Effects of Exercise 215Designing Your Workout Program 216Considering the basic game plan 217Figuring out if you’re working hard enough 218Taking it easy! 219Finding a good class 219Chapter 13: The Right Stride and Other Ways to Protect Your Joints 221Believing in Biomechanics 222Waxing Ergonomic at Your Workstation 223Standing Tall: Body Alignment 225Focusing on feet 225Bending your knees – just a bit! 226“Unswaying” your lower back 227Relaxing your shoulders 228Holding your head high 228Putting the posture points together 228Reducing Joint Stress with the Right Stride 229Saving Your Joints When Hitting the Hay 231Lifting Without Losing It 232Chapter 14: Controlling Your Stress, Aggression, and Depression 233Understanding Why We Hurt More Than We Have To 234Ratcheting up the pain with stress 234Increasing pain the “A” way 235Heightening pain when you’re feeling low 237Discovering the Healing Power of Positive Thinking 240Relaxing the pain away through biofeedback 241Quieting your mind with meditation and programmed relaxation 241Moving to a stress-free place through guided imagery and hypnosis 242Controlling your breathing 242Using cognitive behavioral therapy 243Laughing your way to relaxation 243Forgetting all about it 244Easing Depression and Anxiety with Prayer and Spirituality 244Chapter 15: Day-to-Day Living with Arthritis 247Taking Care of You 248Working with an occupational therapist 248Conserving your energy 248Getting a good night’s sleep 249Holding on to your sex life 250Finding an Easier Way to Get Through the Day 252Simplifying your household 252Making household cleaning easier 253Using assistive devices 254Getting help from other people 255Joining an Arthritis Support Group 256Finding help and hope through the group 256Locating a support group 257Dealing with Arthritis in the Workplace 257Easing the pain when you work 257Applying for disability benefits 258Part 4: Is Alternative Medicine for You? 259Chapter 16: Exploring Alternative Medicine 261Understanding the Many Faces of Alternative Medicine 262Easing Arthritis Through Alternative Approaches 263Finding a Reputable CAM Practitioner 264Checking credentials and certifications 265Identifying false claims 266Working with Your Doctor 268Figuring Out Whether Alternative Medicine Is for You 269Chapter 17: Discovering Herbs and Homeopathy 271Digging into Medicinal Herbs 272Getting the Lowdown on Herbs for Arthritis 273Anti-inflammatories 275Antirheumatics 279Sedatives and muscle relaxants 280Pain relievers 280Stimulating the Body to Heal Itself with Homeopathy 282Determining remedies according to your symptoms 283Discovering recipes for remedies 284Homing in on homeopathic remedies for arthritis 285Finding homeopathic help 287Chapter 18: Hands-On Healing Methods 289Unblocking the Energy Flow: Eastern Hands-On Healing Methods 290Pinpointing the pain with acupuncture 290Pressing your buttons with acupressure (shiatsu) 292Restoring healing energy with Reiki 293Realigning and Releasing Tension: Western Hands-On Healing Methods 294Rubbing away muscle tension with massage 294Promoting energy balance with polarity therapy 297Relieving pain and encouraging healing with reflexology 298Transmitting healing energy through touch therapy 299Chapter 19: Other Alternative Approaches 301Breathing In the Healing: Aromatherapy 302Understanding how it works 302Discovering what aromatherapy can do for you 302Finding out where to get aromatherapy 303Fighting Pain with Bee Venom Therapy 303Understanding how it works 303Discovering what bee venom therapy can do for you 304Finding out where to get bee venom therapy 304Replacing the Hormone DHEA 304Understanding how it works 305Discovering what DHEA can do for you 305Finding out where to get DHEA 305Fighting the Pain and Disability of RA with MSM 306Understanding how MSM is used to treat arthritis 307Discovering what MSM can do for you 307Finding out how to get MSM 307Whirling the Pain Away with Hydrotherapy 308Understanding how hydrotherapy is used to treat arthritis 308Discovering what it can do for you 308Finding a good hydrotherapist 308Peering into the Possibilities of Prolotherapy 309Understanding how it works 309Discovering what prolotherapy can do for you 309Finding out where to get prolotherapy 309Part 5: The Part of Tens 311Chapter 20: Ten Crackerjack New Treatments 313Janus Kinase Inhibitors for Rheumatoid Arthritis 313New Drug Treatments for Psoriatic Arthritis 315Matrix-Induced Cartilage Implantation for Knee Osteoarthritis 317Bone Marrow Aspirate Concentrate (BMAC) Therapy for Damaged Cartilage 318Platelet-Rich Plasma Injections for Knee Osteoarthritis 318Hyaluronic Acid for Osteoarthritis 319Cooled Radiofrequency Ablation for Knee Osteoarthritis 320Vagus Neurostimulation for Rheumatoid Arthritis 320Robotic-Assisted Surgery for Hip Replacements 321New Drug Combination for Treatment for Uncontrolled Gout 322Chapter 21: Ten Tips for Traveling with Arthritis 323Talking to Your Doctor 323Reviewing Your Medications and Supplements 324Preplanning to Reduce Stress 325Eating Wisely and Well 325Exercising, Even Though You’re on Vacation! 326Using Joint-Protection Techniques 327Using Assistive Devices 327Renting an Arthritis-Friendly Car 328Flying with Finesse 328Taking a Test Run 329Chapter 22: Ten Ways to Save on Prescriptions 331Review Your Medications 331Ask Your Doctor for Free Samples 332Check Out Medicare’s Extra Help Program 332Look Into Patient Assistance Programs (PAPs) 333Consider a Pharmacy Discount Card 333Buy the Generic Version 334Buy in Bulk 335Double the Strength and Split the Pills 335Compare Prices at Different Pharmacies 335Consider Using Online Pharmacies 336Chapter 23: Ten Professionals Who Can Help You Fight Arthritis 337Rheumatologist 338Primary Care Physician 338Orthopedic Surgeon 339Pharmacist 339Physical Therapist or Exercise Physiologist 340Occupational Therapist 340Registered Dietitian 341Social Worker 341Mental Health Professional 342Massage Therapist 342Part 6: Appendixes 345Appendix A: Glossary 347Appendix B: Resources 355Appendix C: Weight Loss And Management Guide 365Index 371