Category: Rheumatology
Summer Heat Ups Arthritis Pain
Arthritis pain can be unpredictable, which is one of the things that makes this disease so difficult to manage. In the summer, heat, fluid levels and sunlight can all affect how we feel. The heat can cause swelling, which makes arthritis pain worse. Perspiration increases our need for water, which can lead to dehydration. Dehydration makes our joints stiff and painful. […]
Lupus Patients Find Community Online
One of the hardest things about having lupus is that people who have it generally don’t look sick. When they park in a handicap parking space, they may feel self-conscious. Many lupus patients get be glared at by people who wonder why seemingly healthy people are taking parking places away from people who need them. […]
“Old Bones” and Osteoporosis
There used to be a saying about people having “old bones” as they aged. It turns out that, for millions of people with osteoporosis, there really is such a thing as “old bones”. Our bones may have the look of being solid through and through, but this isn’t really the case. As with the […]
How to Support Someone with Rheumatoid Arthritis
Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is not an easy disease to live with. It affects the joints, which means that it can make every movement painful. People with RA do (or try to do) the same thing as everyone else, but their experience of it can be very different. The chronic pain of RA can lead to […]
Tips for Living with Osteoporosis
Osteoporosis is a disease that weakens bones, making it easier for them to break. Fortunately, not everyone who has osteoporosis winds up with broken bones. However, if you have osteoporosis, your bones need special care and protection. Falls are one of the major types of accidents that lead to broken bones. To prevent falls, begin […]
Don’t Let Old Injuries Pile Up
Waiting to heal from an injury can seem like the wise thing to do. Who wants to rush into expensive healthcare they may not need? Who wants to take the time off of work? Unfortunately, waiting to heal doesn’t always work. Sometimes an injury can’t heal on its own. Sometimes waiting only makes it […]
10 Arthritis-friendly Gadgets
Don’t let arthritis take your independence away. Here are 10 gadgets to help make everyday tasks easier for those with limited mobility. 1) For those who have a hard time pulling the shoulder strap on their seatbelt, there are seat belt handles that attach to the shoulder strap, making it easier to reach and pull. […]
Coping with Joint Pain in Winter
Many arthritis patients experience more joint pain when cold weather sets in. It’s not clear if this is due to the cold or a drop in barometric pressure. Whatever the cause, it’s important to find ways to cope. Here are a few recommendations: 1) Wear layers that can be removed or put back on […]
Cartilage-Nature’s WD-40
There is an old saying “If it moves and shouldn’t use duct tape. If it doesn’t move and should, use WD-40.” If you want to understand osteoarthritis, think of cartilage as nature’s WD-40. When your bones move against one another at your joints, cartilage works like lubrication. When you are missing cartilage, like a […]
Healthy Aging: Strength Training and Osteoporosis
Many of us associate strength training with weightlifting bodybuilders working on their six-packs. Strength training, however, can be beneficial for almost everyone. When people stick to it, strength training can help prevent multiple chronic illnesses, including osteoporosis. Osteoporosis, which causes a decrease in bone mass and an increase in the rate of fracture, or […]