How to Live a Full Life With Rheumatoid Arthritis

by Jenkins, Jasmine

• ISBN13: 9781845283360
• ISBN10: 1845283368
• Edition: 2nd
• Format: Paperback
• Copyright: 2009-02-15
• Publisher: How to Books Ltd

Summary

Manage your Rheumatoid Arthritis by becoming an 'expert patient'...This book will enable you to: - UNDERSTAND MORE ABOUT RHEUMATOID ARTHRITIS AND THE MEDICATION INVOLVED - REDUCE THE PAIN THAT YOU EXPERIENCE - USE JOINT PROTECTION TECHNIQUES - APPRECIATE THE IMPORTANCE OF EXERCISE AND GOOD POSTURE - RELAX AND MANAGE YOUR STRESS - ADAPT TO THE CHANGES IN YOUR WORKING AND LEISURE LIFE - ACHIEVE A POSITIVE OUTLOOK There's also an A-Z of wellbeing and a list of useful resources. Revised and updated second edition. REVIEWS: "In this unique book a highly trained occupational therapist offers her experience both as a patient and as a therapist in what to expect and how to cope with this condition." Adam Young, Consultant Rheumatologist" AUTHOR BIOG: At the age of 32, with three small children, Jasmine Jenkins was diagnosed with Rheumatoid Arthritis. Having benefited personally from Occupational Therapy she trained to become a fully qualified Occupational Therapist herself. She wrote this book from the perspective of practitioner and patient in the belief that it will help others to manage this condition positively and well. CONTENTS: Preface Acknowledgements Foreword Introduction 1. What is Rheumatoid Arthritis? 2. Pain and discomfort key issues 3. Understanding medication 4. How to protect your joints and reduce pain 5. Equipment and adaptations 6. The importance of exercise and good posture 7. How to relax and manage your stress 8. Work and leisure 9. R.A and relationships 10. Achieving a positive outlook Appendix - The Work of the Occupational Therapist A-Z guide to well-being Useful resources References Index.

Table of Contents

Preface	p. ix
Acknowledgements	p. xi
Foreword	p. xiii
Introduction	p. xv
What is Rheumatoid Arthritis?	p. 1
The immune system	p. 2
The function of the joint	p. 2
How rheumatoid arthritis affects the joint	p. 3
Rheumatoid arthritis and osteoarthritis: the differences	p. 4
The importance of an early diagnosis	p. 4
The unpredictability of rheumatoid arthritis	p. 6
A personal scenario	p. 8
Pain and Discomfort: The Key Issues	p. 11
Coping with pain	p. 11
Understanding pain	p. 13
The pain gate	p. 14
The Tens machine	p. 15
Massage	p. 15
Acupuncture	p. 16
Distraction	p. 17
Natural pain-killers	p. 17
Nutrition	p. 18
Relaxation	p. 20
Posture	p. 20
The pain diary	p. 21
Splinting	p. 22
Medication	p. 22
Surgery	p. 23
A personal scenario	p. 24
Understanding Medication	p. 26
Medication for rheumatoid arthritis	p. 27
New treatments	p. 32
Complementary therapies	p. 34
A personal scenario	p. 37
How to Protect Your Joints and Reduce Pain	p. 39
Conserving your energy	p. 40
Avoiding static positions	p. 42
Discouraging deformities	p. 43
A personal scenario	p. 48
Equipment and Adaptations	p. 52
Equipment for the kitchen	p. 53
Equipment and tips for personal care	p. 56
Clothing	p. 57
Selecting furniture	p. 60
Adaptations	p. 62
The Importance of Exercise and Good Posture	p. 64
Planning your exercise	p. 64
Exercise at the table	p. 66
Useful yoga exercises	p. 67
Exercises for the car	p. 71
Exercises for the chair	p. 72
Standing exercises	p. 72
Exercises at the kitchen sink	p. 73
Exercises on the bed	p. 73
Exercises for the bath	p. 73
Hydrotherapy and swimming	p. 74
The benefits of exercise	p. 75
A personal scenario	p. 76
Good posture	p. 77
Guidelines for good posture	p. 79
How to Relax and Manage Your Stress	p. 83
Symptoms of stress	p. 84
A definition of stress	p. 85
Why stress occurs	p. 85
Restoring the balance	p. 87
The fight or flight response	p. 90
LEarning to relax	p. 90
The postures of stress	p. 91
Getting started	p. 92
A personal scenario	p. 97
Work and Leisure	p. 99
The benefits of employment	p. 99
Factors that help you stay in employment	p. 100
Changing work	p. 103
Disability benefits	p. 105
A personal scenario	p. 106
Avoiding the downward spiral	p. 109
Rheumatoid Arthritis and Relationships	p. 111
Asking for help	p. 112
Making changes	p. 113
Rheumatoid arthritis and sex	p. 114
A personal scenario	p. 116
Achieving a Positive Outlook	p. 118
Dealing with the diagnosis	p. 118
How we deal with loss	p. 119
Becoming an expert patient	p. 122
The benefits of active coping	p. 122
Helpful support	p. 123
A personal scenario	p. 126
Helping yourself	p. 127
Appendix: The Work of the Occupational Therapist	p. 129
A-Z Guide to Wellbeing	p. 133
Useful Resources	p. 141
References	p. 147
Index	p. 151
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