Rheumatoid Arthritis Plan to Win

by Koehn, Cheryl; Palmer, Taysha; Esdaile M.D., John

• ISBN13: 9780195130560
• ISBN10: 0195130561
• Format: Hardcover
• Copyright: 2002-01-10
• Publisher: Oxford University Press

Summary

Nearly 3 million Americans suffer from rheumatoid arthritis, a painful, incurable connective-tissue disease that attacks the hands and feet as well as the joints and may lead to deformities and permanent disabilities. Rheumatoid Arthritis: Plan to Win offers an inspiring, scientifically basedgame plan for minimizing the effects of this chronic illness, and ultimately, achieving optimal health. Here is the definitive resource for practical strategies and emotional support, whether you need help controlling pain, are concerned about medication side-effects, or want to locate a reliable RA news source or support group on the Internet. Helpful chapters detail the latest therapies,special dietary and exercise needs of people with RA, how to deal with arthritis at home and in the workplace, prepare for surgery, pregnancy and childbirth, enjoy healthy sexuality, use the mind-body connection to control symptoms, make informed decisions about alternative medicine, and perhapsmost important, how to build a healthcare team and maintain excellent communication and working relationships with that team. By using this book as a starting point and a 24/7 reference guide, people with RA will be better equipped to form an effective plan of action, making well-informed decisionsabout their health along the way, and greatly enhancing their ability to live happy, productive lives. Cheryl Koehn, who was an Olympic-caliber athlete when she developed RA, is a leading advocate and spokesperson for people with arthritis. Together with her co-authors, John Esdaile, MD, and science writer Taysha Palmer, Koehn provides a wealth of information and practical advice, assembledfrom thousands of research papers as well as from her personal experiences with this debilitating disease.

Author Biography

Cheryl Koehn is a former US National Volleyball Team member and an activist and spokesperson for RA patients. She lives in Vancouver, Canada. John Esdaile, M.D. is professor and head of the Division of Rheumatology, Department of Medicine, University of British Columbia and Scientific Director of the Arthritis Research Centre of Canada, and is a leading authority on rheumatoid arthritis. Taysha Palmer is a freelance health and science writer.

Table of Contents

Foreword	ix
Dr. Matthew H. Liang
Acknowledgments	xi
Prologue Thriving with RA	xiii
A message from Cheryl Koehn, coauthor of Plan To Win and person with RA
Plan to Win	3	(8)
The Facts About Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA)	11	(18)
What causes RA
Symptoms and signs: pain, inflammation, stiffness, fatigue
How RA attacks joints
The effects of RA in other parts of the body
How RA is diagnosed
Your Health Care Team	29	(22)
Becoming the leader of your own health care team
The role of doctors, internists, rheumatologists, surgeons
Roles of health professionals: occupational therapists, physical therapists, nurses, social workers, counselors
Complementary and alternative medicine
Medications	51	(46)
Making informed decisions
Why rheumatologists recommend early medication therapy
Fear of side effects
A comprehensive guide to RA medications: their names, what they do, how and when they work, their side effects, and how they are monitored (includes NSAIDs, DMARDs and the new biologics)
Research on new medications
Exercise	97	(16)
The role of exercise in managing RA
Getting started and setting goals
Guidelines for exercising safely with RA
Exercises to keep you mobile, strong, and fit
Diet, Nutrition, and Complementary and Alternative Medicine	113	(14)
The role of diet and nutrition in RA
Calcium, vitamin D, and omega-3 fatty acids
An overview of unproven diets and complementary and alternative medicine
The Mind-Body Connection	127	(26)
Do emotions, beliefs, and attitudes affect health? What the research shows
Eight ways to use the mind-body connection to manage RA, and why they work
Mind-body practices that support health
Relationships and Sexuality	153	(18)
How RA can affect relationships with spouses, colleagues, children, friends, and family members
Helpful and unhelpful kinds of support
Tips on communicating and dealing with anger
Sexuality and RA
A special message for spouses and partners
Work, Family, and Leisure	171	(20)
Getting to the root of challenges posed by RA
How to adapt the problem task, protect joints, and make optimal use of energy
Practical tips on self-care, employment, and caring for home and family
Surgery	191	(14)
Surgery when the time is right
Preparing for surgery
Life after surgery
Types of surgery
Pregnancy, Childbirth, and Menopause	205	(16)
The effects of pregnancy on RA
Best odds for a healthy pregnancy
Medications during pregnancy
Disease activity after the baby is born
Breast-feeding
Caring for baby
The pill
Menopause
More Resources	221	(20)
Associations representing people with RA
Books, professional journals
Aides to daily living and arthritis products
The Internet: Worthwhile sites and newsgroups; Where to find reliable information on current treatment therapies, RA research, and clinical trials
Notes	241	(18)
Index	259