Rheumatoid Arthritis: Understanding the Disease
Understanding Arthritis: Eradicating Myths and Exploring Treatment Models
The biomedical vs. biopsychosocial model
Rheumatoid Arthritis: The Basics of a Chronic, Complex Disease
Understanding reheumatoid arthritis
Concept of chronic disease
Who gets rheumatoid arthritis?
What causes rheumatoid arthritis?
What is it like to have rheumatoid arthritis?
Diagnostic Methods: Your Medical History and Physical Examination
Various ways doctors diagnose rheumatoid arthritis
Physical measures of function
Diagnosing Rheumatoid Arthritis: Laboratory Tests and Imaging Studies
When these tests are helpful
Magnetic resonance imaging
Diagnosis Checkpoints: What if It's not Rheumatoid Arthritis?
Why it's difficult to diagnose rheumatoild arthritis with certainty
Other diseases that may mimic rheumatoid arthritis
Connective tissue diseases
Polymyositis and dermatomyositis
More Than Joints: When Other Parts of the Body Are Affected
Rheumatoid arthritis is a systemic disease
Other part of the body that might be affected
The Long Haul: What To Expect Over Time
How the course of rheumatoid arthritis varies varies from person to person
Making a prediction-some general guidelines
Another clue: Your disease type
Why it's important to see a doctor
What changes you can expect
Medical Management: What to Expect
Keeping Tabs: Evaluating and Monitoring Your Rheumatoid Arthritis
Tests and measures to monitor the course of disease
Measures of inflammatory activity
X-rays and other imaging techniques
Physical function measures
Self-report questionnaires
Your Medical Managers: Getting To Know the Players
Who are your medical managers?
Other health professionals
Getting the most from your medical managers
Medical Management: Effective Strategies for Treatment
Acute vs. chronic disease
The traditional approach to medical management
The new approach: a preventive strategy
Is this new approach safe?
Aggressive Therapy: Medications and Treatments for Rheumatoid Arthritis
A brief overview of medications for rheumatoid arthritis
Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (aspirin, ibuprofen, COX-2 inhibitors)
Analgesic drugs (acetaminophen, narcotic drugs)
Glucocorticoids (cortisone, prednisone)
Immunomodulating drugs (etanercept, infliximb)
Research and development: hope for the future
Table: Drugs used in treating rheumatoid arthritis
Surgery: Opening New Doors
Common surgical procedures
Joint replacement surgery
What you can expect from surgery
Managing Rheumatoid Arthritis: What You Can Do
Mind Power: Getting Mentally Tough
Why self-efficacy can help
If you experience depression
Physical Challenges: Managing the Physical Ups and Downs
Avoiding joint pain and damage
Exercises: The Importance of Getting Physical
What if I don't exercise?
Making a commitment to exercise
When You Feel Exhausted: Coping With Fatigue
Pinpointing causes of your fatigue
Understanding your body's rhythms
Getting a good night's sleep
Prioritizing your time and energy
Pushing the Boundaries: Complementary and Alternative Therapies
Types of complementary and alternative therapy
Special diets or dietary changes
Herbs, supplements, "natural" remedies
Talking to your doctor about your options
Good Living: Creating a Wellness Lifestyle
Nourishing your mind and spirit
Taking care of the basics
A final word: Making time for yourself.