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

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

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