Arthritis Health Center

News and Features Related to Arthritis

1. Salty Foods May Double Smokers' RA Risk
   

   By Mary Elizabeth Dallas HealthDay Reporter FRIDAY, Sept. 12, 2014 (HealthDay News) -- Consuming too much salt may more than double a smoker's risk of developing the painful inflammatory disease known as rheumatoid arthritis, a new study finds. Researchers in Sweden said the interaction between smok

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2. Many RA Patients May Skip Meds: Study
   

   By Robert Preidt HealthDay Reporter WEDNESDAY, Sept. 3, 2014 (HealthDay News) -- Many patients with severe rheumatoid arthritis don't take their expensive medications as prescribed, a new British study finds. Failure to take the drugs correctly reduces their effectiveness and may lead to a worsening

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3. How to Get in the Mood When You Have RA
   

   Sex is a part of life, and it’s no different if you have RA. Sex keeps you connected to your partner, and it releases endorphins that can help ease RA pain. The trick is to take a little extra care. RA can slow you down. These simple tips can help you get in the mood and make your sex life more fun.

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4. 8 Affordable Assistive Devices for Rheumatoid Arthritis
   

   Need a little help sometimes? Maybe getting out of a chair, cooking a meal, or writing out a shopping list? You can make life with rheumatoid arthritis easier with a few handy helpers that don’t cost a lot. "People say that they don't want to use an assistive device because they don't want to feel d

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5. How Rheumatoid Arthritis Affects Pregnancy
   

   If you're pregnant or planning to be, you may wonder how having rheumatoid arthritis (RA) could affect your pregnancy. Here's some good news: Many women with RA find that their symptoms go into remission during pregnancy. What’s more, RA doesn't seem to affect your chances of getting or staying preg

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6. Talking About RA: Who Will You Tell, and How?
   

   You may be the one who has rheumatoid arthritis, but it's going to touch a lot of other people in your life -- your spouse, your kids, and your close friends. It could affect your boss and co-workers, too. Talking to people about your RA is important, but it can be frustrating. "Most people don't ha

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7. Complementary Treatments for RA: Acupuncture to Yoga
   

   Looking for new ways to soothe your stiff joints and other rheumatoid arthritis symptoms? Therapies like acupuncture, massage, or tai chi could help. About two out of three people with RA try these kinds of treatments, known as complementary therapies. Complementary therapies may help ease your pain

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8. Traveling Pain-Free With RA
   

   Traveling with rheumatoid arthritis is a little more complicated, but it doesn't have to be less fun. "There's no reason you can't travel just because you have RA," says Victoria Ruffing, RN, program manager at the Johns Hopkins Arthritis Center in Baltimore. "You just need to take some extra precau

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9. Tips to Fend Off RA Fatigue
   

   If you have rheumatoid arthritis, you know what fatigue means. Your friends and family might think you're just tired, but that doesn't come close. You may not be able to get rid of RA fatigue entirely. But you can prevent or lessen it  and have more energy to enjoy life. Here's how. Rest is key to m

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10. RA and Your Overall Health
    

    When people think of arthritis, they think of achy wrists and knees. But rheumatoid arthritis can be much more than that. "RA goes way beyond the joints," says M. Elaine Husni, MD, MPH, director of the Arthritis and Musculoskeletal Center at the Cleveland Clinic. The inflammation of RA can affect yo

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