Arthritis Blog

Arthritis and diabetes are common comorbid conditions (conditions that coexist in the same patient). According to telephone survey results reported by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), doctor-diagnosed arthritis affected 52% of adults with diabetes between 2005 and 2007. The telephone survey involved 800,000 people who were asked questions about their health and their level of physical activity.

Physical activity is a recommended self-management strategy for both diabetes and arthritis. While nearly 21 million Americans reportedly have diabetes and more than 46 million have some type of arthritis, the impact of having both conditions on physical activity was the focus of the survey analysis. It was found that self-reported physical inactivity was significantly more prevalent among those with diabetes and arthritis than among those with diabetes alone. The association remained even after adjustment for age, gender, and body mass index. People with both conditions were 30 to 40% more likely to be physically inactive than those who had diabetes alone.

• Does a Sedentary Lifestyle Make Arthritis Worse?
• Over One-Third of Arthritis Patients Get No Exercise
• Sedentary Adults Can Benefit From Lower Levels of Exercise

Despite known health benefits, why don't people participate in regular physical activity? Lack of time, prioritizing other responsibilities, lack of motivation, and difficulty choosing a routine physical activity that is enjoyable are problems everyone faces. Having arthritis adds other concerns such as increasing joint pain, as well as choosing activities that are less stressful on the joints. For optimal management of diabetes and arthritis, it's important to overcome challenges presented by having both conditions and strive for incorporating regular, safe physical activity into usual daily routines. If possible, start by walking 10 minutes every day. Consult your doctor for advice on increasing your goals for regular physical activity.

More Related Resources:

• Exercise: Essential Treatment for Arthritis
• How to Exercise When You Have Arthritis
• How Do Arthritis Patients Perceive Exercise?
• Can Arthritis Patients Adapt Exercise and Still Reap Benefits?

Share Your Advice and Experiences:

• Join Us in Our Arthritis Forum / Message Board

_{Photo by Frances Twitty (iStockphoto)}

Fibromyalgia is a chronic and painful condition which affects about 10 million people in the United States alone. To increase public awareness of this often misunderstood condition, May 12th of each year is proclaimed "Fibromyalgia Awareness Day". Fibromyalgia has left many patients and physicians baffled and perplexed. Not much credence was given to fibromyalgia symptoms years ago, leaving patients to think it was "all in their head". Consequently, it was hard for family, friends, and employers to understand when patients themselves didn't fully understand.

• Fibromyalgia Screening Quiz
• Fast Facts About Fibromyalgia
• How to Recognize the Signs and Symptoms of Fibromyalgia

Current research has determined there is a physiological cause for fibromyalgia and various biochemical abnormalities in patients with fibromyalgia. The condition can affect anyone, but 75% of fibromyalgia patients are women. It often takes a patient an average of 5 years to get an accurate diagnosis of fibromyalgia. It has also been reported that fibromyalgia costs society over $9 billion dollars a year in medical visits, disability, and loss of productivity. Though scientific research is becoming enlightened about fibromyalgia, it's just as important for the public to become aware of fibromyalgia, an invisible illness without a cure. The National Fibromyalgia Association's theme for 2008 Fibromyalgia Awareness Day is Caring by Sharing.

More Related Resources:

• Fibromyalgia/CFS at About.com
• Test Your Knowledge: Fibromyalgia
• Fibromyalgia 101: Free E-Course Newsletter
• 10 Things You Should Know About Fibromyalgia

_{Photo © Stockbyte / Getty Images}

Living with arthritis can add extra difficulties and challenges to parenting. Of adults with doctor-diagnosed arthritis, over 17 million, or 38 percent, report activity limitations attributable to arthritis, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Many changes occur in the life of someone who must live 24 hours a day / 7 days a week with chronic arthritis. It not only affects the person who has the disease, but also impacts the people around them, especially their family and loved ones. Raising your children can be a hard enough task for even the healthiest of parents.

It is the desire of every parent to do the best they can for their children. At times, all parents experience feelings of doubt, even more if you struggle with arthritis. Better preparation regarding the physical and emotional toll will minimize the negative impact, help with solving difficult issues, and lead to more effective parenting. Read more in How to Best Raise Children When You Have Arthritis.

Related Resources:

• Arthritis Affects Loved Ones Too
• A Positive Approach to Arthritis
• Arthritis Affects Daily Living Activities
• 10 Ways to Improve Your Life With Arthritis
• Overcoming Annoyances: Living in a "Normal World"

Share Your Advice and Experiences:

• Join Us in Our Arthritis Forum / Message Board

_{Photo by Nicole S. Young (iStockphoto)}

May 10 is the 5th annual observance of World Lupus Day - a day which brings global awareness to a disease that affects more than 5 million people worldwide. Lupus is a potentially life-threatening autoimmune disease. In lupus, the immune system of the body attacks its own cells and tissues. The joints, skin, kidneys, lungs, heart, nervous system, and other organs of the body are affected -- no organ is spared. Lupus is a disease that targets a group of people who otherwise should be healthy -- individuals between the ages of 15 and 44. The disease often goes unrecognized because its primary symptoms -- joint pain, fatigue, skin rashes, and fevers -- mimic many other common illnesses.

There is no cure for lupus and there have been no new drugs for the disease in over 40 years. Medications used to control lupus are borrowed from other diseases. Early detection, diagnosis and treatment of lupus can help to slow the debilitating effects of the disease. Improving awareness of lupus symptoms will save lives. Lupus is under-recognized as a global health problem. Governments are recognizing the need for more funding and services to battle the disease. Lupus research and efforts to develop safer and more effective treatments are under-funded in comparison with diseases of comparable magnitude and severity. Lupus organizations such as the Lupus Foundation of America are working towards increasing public awareness and educating patients and health professionals about the disease.

Related Resources:

• Lupus at About.com
• Lupus Screening Quiz
• Fast Facts About Lupus
• Test Your Knowledge: Lupus
• 10 Things You Should Know About Lupus

_{Image © Lupus Foundation of America}

Orencia is a biologic drug approved for the treatment of moderate to severe rheumatoid arthritis in adults and the treatment of moderate to severe polyarticular (many joints involved) juvenile idiopathic arthritis in children 6 years old and older. Orencia, generic drug name abatacept, is a 30 minute intravenous infusion (IV) given every 4 weeks after the initial setup (first dose, then at 2 weeks and 4 weeks, followed by every 4 weeks).

Orencia is not a TNF blocker, as is Enbrel, Remicade, and Humira. Orencia is a T-cell co-stimulation modulator -- it modulates a co-stimulatory signal which is required for full T-cell activation. T-cells play a prominent role in inflammation. Patients with certain conditions should be cautious about using Orencia or possibly not use the medication. Read more in Orencia - 10 Things You Should Know.

Related Resources:

• Orencia for Rheumatoid Arthritis
• Is Infection a Serious Side Effect of Biologic Drugs?
• Orencia vs. TNF Antagonists - What's the Difference?
• Do Biologic Drugs Prevent Joint Damage and Deformity?
• Are Some Patients Unsuitable Candidates for Biologic Drugs?

_{Photo © Gold Standard}

May Is National Arthritis Month - a month devoted to promoting awareness about arthritis. Over 1 in 5 Americans report doctor-diagnosed arthritis, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Nearly a million Americans will be diagnosed with arthritis this year alone. Over the next two decades as the population ages, the number of people with arthritis will continue to skyrocket.

• Arthritis Screening Quiz
• Early Arthritis Symptoms
• 8 Best Things to Do for Arthritis
• 10 Things You Should Know About Arthritis

Arthritis is often misunderstood, largely due to misconceptions, misinformation, and old wives tales which persist. Unless the difficulties and limitations imposed by arthritis affect you or a family member directly, your exposure to the disease may be minimal.

Arthritis is not a single disease. Arthritis comprises over 100 different diseases and conditions. The CDC reports, the most common forms are osteoarthritis, gout, rheumatoid arthritis, and fibromyalgia. Arthritis is not just an older person’s disease. Nearly two-thirds of people with arthritis are younger than age 65.

More Related Resources:

• Fast Facts About Arthritis
• What are the Types of Arthritis?
• 7 Misconceptions About Arthritis
• Arthritis Quiz: Is it Myth or Fact?
• How to Recognize the Signs and Symptoms of Arthritis

Share Your Advice and Experiences:

• Join Us in Our Arthritis Forum / Message Board

_{Photo by Jonathan Natiuk (stock.xchng)}

Chronic Lyme disease -- is there such a thing? If there is, how should it be treated? Those are two questions at the center of a battle. The Infectious Diseases Society of America (IDSA) recommends against long-term antibiotic therapy for Lyme disease. A small group of physicians and their patients endorse long-term treatment with antibiotics despite medical evidence that opposes it, according to IDSA.

The IDSA has entered into an agreement with the Attorney General of Connecticut ending his investigation of the Society’s 2006 Lyme disease guidelines. Under the agreement, the guidelines remain in effect but will undergo a one-time special review by an expert panel of doctors and scientists. Doctors who wrote IDSA’s 2006 guidelines concluded that, for nearly all patients, a short course of antibiotics is an effective treatment for Lyme disease. Some studies have concluded that long-term antibiotic treatment is ineffective, expensive, and potentially harmful. The overuse of antibiotics can cause drug-resistant infections that are difficult or even impossible to treat. IDSA claims that it has never been proven that chronic Lyme disease is a real condition -- patients may have something else instead. Advocates for chronic Lyme disease say IDSA's guidelines discourage proper treatment.

Lyme disease (often misspelled as Lime disease) is the most common tick-borne disorder in the United States. Lyme disease is an infectious disease caused by Borrelia burgdorferi, a bacterium classified as a spirochete. Borrelia burgdorferi thrives inside of certain ticks and can be spread to humans by the bite of an infected tick. Adult ticks are about the size of sesame seeds. Nymphal ticks can be the size of the period at the end of this sentence.

• Guide to Lyme Disease
• Lyme Disease Screening Quiz
• The Lyme Disease Photo Gallery

There are three stages of Lyme disease: early localized stage, early disseminated stage, and late stage (chronic). Late stage infection (months or years after onset) can lead to chronic arthritis or nervous system involvement. Reducing exposure to infected ticks is your best defense against contracting Lyme disease. Take extra precautions May through July when ticks that transmit Lyme disease are most active.

More Related Resources:

• What Is Chronic Lyme Disease?
• Fast Facts About Lyme Disease
• Test Your Knowledge: Lyme Disease
• How to Protect Yourself Against Lyme Disease

_{Photos © A.D.A.M. / CDC; Jim Gathany / CDC}

Three rheumatoid arthritis medications, known as tumor necrosis factor-alpha blockers (TNF blockers), are equally effective in treating the disease. The findings are based on an analysis of several previous studies and were reported April 17, 2008 in the journal BMC Musculoskeletal Disorders. The TNF blockers -- Enbrel, Remicade, and Humira -- were approved by the FDA between 1998 and 2003. The analysis included 13 trials that lasted at least 6 months, involving a total of 7,087 patients. Rheumatoid arthritis patients taking TNF blockers were compared to patients taking methotrexate or placebo.

• The Facts of Enbrel
• The Facts of Humira
• The Facts of Remicade
• The Facts of Methotrexate

TNF blockers were found to be comparable in controlling the signs and symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis. TNF blockers were found to be most effective when added to the treatment regimen of patients who had a poor response to methotrexate -- but TNF blockers offered little additional benefit for patients who were responding well to methotrexate -- and they were more likely to cause side effects. Enbrel and Humira showed effects similar to methotrexate. When compared to controls (methotrexate or placebo):

• Patients receiving Remicade were more likely to drop out of clinical trials because of side effects and were more likely to suffer severe side effects, infections, and infusion reactions.
• Patients receiving Humira were also more likely to drop out because of side effects and were more likely to suffer injection site reactions.
• Patients receiving Enbrel were less likely to drop out because of side effects but more likely to experience injection site reactions.

In conclusion, researchers advised against starting treatment with TNF blockers until there is evidence that methotrexate is an inadequate treatment for an individual patient.

More Related Resources:

• Test Your Knowledge: TNF Blockers
• TNF Blockers: How Are They Similar and Different?
• Should Patients Fear Side Effects of TNF Blockers?
• When Is It Appropriate to Switch Your TNF Blocker?
• Is Early, Aggressive Treatment Recommended for Rheumatoid Arthritis?

_{Photo © About.com}

Periodontal disease affects people with rheumatoid arthritis twice as much as others without the condition. Periodontal disease essentially is an infection of tissues that support the teeth. Between the tooth and gums, there is a v-shaped crevice called a sulcus. Periodontal disease attacks just below the gum line in the sulcus and can cause the attachment of the tooth and supporting tissues to break down. As tissues become more damaged, the sulcus develops into a pocket. Gingivitis and periodontitis are two stages of periodontal disease.

• What are the risk factors for periodontal disease?
• What are the warning signs for periodontal disease?
• How is rheumatoid arthritis tied to periodontal disease?

It's possible to have no warning that you are developing periodontal disease. That is why regular dental check-ups are important for people living with arthritis and related conditions. If you only go to the dentist when you have a toothache, you may be missing the signs of early periodontal disease that your dentist would be able to observe. Read more in Are Rheumatoid Arthritis Patients More Prone to Periodontal Disease?

Related Resources:

• In-Depth Report: Periodontal Disease
• What Causes and Heals Mouth Sores?
• An Overview of Gum and Periodontal Disease
• Rheumatoid Arthritis: 10 Facts You Should Know
• Dental Care Should Not Be Neglected by Arthritis Patients

_{Photo by Marcin Balcerzak (iStockphoto)}

Rheumatoid arthritis that affects the shoulder joint is associated with loss of cartilage, soft tissue degeneration, pain, and reduced range of motion. Researchers studied whether rotator cuff degeneration may also cause pain and loss of function in the rheumatic shoulder. The rotator cuff is made up of 4 muscle tendons that connect to the shoulder. Rotator cuff tendons stabilize the upper arm bone to the shoulder socket and allow the wide range of motion in the shoulder (rotation, reaching, raising and lowering the arm).

Between January 2003 and July 2004, researchers looked at 51 shoulders from 26 rheumatoid arthritis patients using x-rays, ultrasound, CAT scans, and tests for range of motion and maximum force of the shoulder muscles. According to a report in the March 2008 Arthritis Care & Research, there was no or slight joint destruction in 21 shoulders while 15 showed intermediate destruction and 15 showed severe destruction. Only 19 of the 51 shoulders had an intact rotator cuff.

Even though the study was small, researchers concluded that rotator cuff degeneration can be a significant aspect of shoulder problems related to rheumatoid arthritis. Damage caused by rotator cuff degeneration can be reduced by maintaining the range of motion of the shoulder joint -- an important part of rheumatoid arthritis treatment.

Related Resources:

• Guide to Shoulder Problems
• Report: Rotator Cuff Problems
• Video: Do You Suffer From Periarthritis?
• Physical Therapy Goals for Arthritis Patients
• Shoulder Osteoarthritis - What You Need to Know

_{Photo © A.D.A.M.}