Arthritis: Most Popular Articles

Arthritis Screening Quiz
Arthritis screening quiz helps you determine if you have symptoms of arthritis.

Lupus Screening Quiz
Lupus screening quiz helps you determine if you have symptoms of lupus.

Fibromyalgia Screening Quiz
Fibromyalgia screening quiz helps you determine if you have symptoms of fibromyalgia.

Osteoarthritis Screening Quiz
Osteoarthritis screening quiz helps you determine if you have symptoms of osteoarthritis.

Rheumatoid Arthritis Screening Quiz
Rheumatoid arthritis screening quiz helps you determine if you have symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis.

Guide to Lupus
People with lupus can have many different signs and symptoms. Early lupus symptoms can be confusing. Signs and symptoms of lupus can range from mild to severe and may come and go over time.

Gout Screening Quiz
Gout screening quiz helps you determine if you have symptoms of gout.

Gout Diet: Foods To Avoid
What foods should be avoided for gout.

How to Recognize Arthritis
Because there are over types of arthritis, symptoms of the disease can be variable, but there are certain signs which point to the disease. Learn more on how to recognize the signs and symptoms of arthritis.

Sjogren's Syndrome Screening Quiz
Do you have symptoms associated with Sjogren's syndrome?

The Carpal Tunnel Syndrome Screening Quiz
Do you have symptoms associated with carpal tunnel syndrome?

Gout Diet Quiz
Gout is one of the forms of arthritis truly affected by diet. Take our quiz and test your knowledge.

Lyme Disease Screening Quiz
Do you have symptoms associated with Lyme disease?

Ankylosing Spondylitis Screening Quiz
Do you have symptoms associated with Anklyosing Spondylitis?

Gout Diet: Foods To Eat
People who have had a gout attack are advised to avoid purine-rich foods. What should they be eating though?

Quiz: Is it Rheumatoid Arthritis or Lupus?
There are specific symptoms and distinguishing characteristics, as well as overlapping symptoms, between rheumatoid arthritis and lupus.

Quiz: Is it Rheumatoid or Osteoarthritis?
There are specific symptoms and distinguishing characteristics between rheumatoid arthritis and osteoarthritis.

The Back Pain Quiz
Do you know the basic facts about back pain?

Gout Foods: Avoiding Purines
Diet is not the only solution for reducing gout attacks, but avoiding purine-rich foods is recommended.

The Prednisone Quiz - True or False?
Do you know the important facts associated with prednisone use? Take our true or false prednisone quiz.

Raynaud's Phenomenon Screening Quiz
Do you have symptoms associated with Raynaud's phenomenon?

How to Treat Gout With Diet
Gout is one of the most painful types of arthritis. Gout attacks can be controlled or prevented by lifestyle changes and the use of certain medications.

Gout - Test Your Knowledge About Gout
Gout quiz tests your knowledge of gout.

Fibromyalgia - Test Your Knowledge
How much do you know about fibromyalgia? Take this quiz.

The Pain Quiz - Acute vs. Chronic Pain
Do you know the basic facts about pain, including the difference between acute and chronic pain?

Scleroderma Screening Quiz
Do you have symptoms associated with scleroderma?

Psoriatic Arthritis Screening Quiz
Psoriatic arthritis has symptoms which mimic rheumatoid arthritis, gout, or reactive arthritis. Take the screening quiz.

Arthritis & Diet Quiz
How does diet impact arthritis?

What are Pinched Nerves?
A brief explanation and fast facts about pinched nerves.

What Is CRP?
CRP, C-reactive protein, is a blood test which indicates inflammation and is a marker for some diseases.

Pain Relief - Pain Relief Quiz
How much do you know about pain relief?

Rheumatoid Arthritis - Test Your Knowledge About Rheumatoid Arthritis
Rheumatoid arthritis (RA), one of 100 types of arthritis, is an autoimmune disease. How much do you know about RA? Take the quiz.

ANA (Antinuclear Antibody)
ANA is a lab test performed on blood. The presence of ANA can be associated with several of the autoimmunes diseases.

What Is Arthritis?
Arthritis is not a single disease. Arthritis refers to a group of more than 100 types of rheumatic diseases and related conditions that can cause pain, stiffness and swelling in the joints.

How is Arthritis Treated?
There are many treatment options for arthritis. Medications are considered traditional treatment for arthritis but some patients look for natural alternatives. No matter what treatment you choose, weigh the risks and benefits.

10 Facts About Lyrica
Lyrica (pregabalin) safety decreases the chance for undesirable side effects. Safety warnings about Lyrica (pregabalin) should be respected. Lyrica has been approved for the treatment of fibromyalgia. Several million patients have taken Lyrica worldwide, including those who were prescribed the drug for other indications. Here are 10 things you should know about Lyrica, including safety warnings.

Prednisone Withdrawal
Prednisone withdrawal symptoms can occur if steroids are not discontinued gradually. Tapering the dose of prednisone minimizes prednisone withdrawal symptoms.

Joint Replacement Screening Quiz - When Is It The Right Time?
When is it the right time to have joint replacement surgery?

Is It Gout or Pseudogout?
How much do you know about gout and pseudogout? Take this quiz.

Does My Child Have Arthritis? - Juvenile Arthritis Screening Quiz
Does you child have symptoms associated with Juvenile Arthritis?

Facts Of Corticosteroids
A look at the facts of corticosteroid treatment for arthritis.

Gout Prevention and Treatment
Prevention and treatment of the painful condition, gout.

Osteoporosis Screening Quiz
Do you have symptoms or risk factors associated with osteoporosis?

10 Fibromyalgia Facts
Fibromyalgia is an arthritis-related syndrome which can be difficult to diagnose. There are important facts you should know about fibromyalgia.

10 Facts About Prednisone
Prednisone safety decreases the chance for undesirable side effects. Safety warnings about prednisone should be respected. To enhance patient safety, prednisone must be taken according to directions.

Inflammation - Test Your Knowledge
Inflammation - Test Your Knowledge Inflammation is a process associated with many diseases.  Do you know

Arthritis & Exercise Quiz
How does exercise impact arthritis?

What Are Osteophytes?
Osteophytes are also commonly known as bone spurs. Osteophytes develop in deteriorating joints damaged by arthritis.

Fibromyalgia Tender Points
Tender points are specific places on the body that are exceptionally sensitive to touch in people with fibromyalgia. Tender points exist at nine bilateral muscle locations.

What Are Rheumatoid Nodules?
The description of a rheumatoid nodule with photos of actual rheumatoid nodules.

Lupus - Test Your Knowledge About Lupus
Lupus is difficult to diagnose initially. How much do you know about lupus? Take the quiz.

What Is Joint Effusion?
Joint effusion is a symptom of arthritis. It is an abnormal buildup of joint fluid.

How to Recognize Fibromyalgia
Fibromyalgia symptoms include widespread pain and tenderness in muscles, ligaments, and tendons. Fibromyalgia symptoms can overlap with autoimmune diseases and other musculoskeletal conditions making it difficult to diagnose.

Osteoarthritis - Test Your Knowledge About Osteoarthritis
Osteoarthritis is most common in older people. How much do you know about osteoarthritis? Take the quiz.

The Facts of Painkillers
Analgesic medications are commonly referred to as painkillers. There are basically two kinds of analgesics: non-narcotics and narcotics.

Early Arthritis Symptoms
Early arthritis symptoms can be vague and confusing. Newly diagnosed arthritis patients quickly learn that early arthritis symptoms are just the first layer of uncovering a definitive diagnosis and treatment plan.

Gout Risk Factor Quiz
What risk factors increase the chance of developing gout?

Peripheral Neuropathy Guide
A five-part guide to peripheral neuropathy (damage to the peripheral nerves). More than 100 types of peripheral neuropathy have been identified, each with its own set of symptoms, causes, and treatment. Since every peripheral nerve has a specialized function in a specific part of the body, a wide array of symptoms can occur when nerves are damaged.

Knee Pain: Step-By-Step
Knee pain can result from joint damage caused by arthritis. A step-by-step look at what causes knee pain.

Gin-Soaked Raisins & Arthritis
Can gin-soaked raisins really help arthritis? It may sound silly the first time you hear it. Eating gin-soaked raisins for arthritis is often touted by its faithful as a natural "cure" or an effective folk remedy for arthritis pain.

10 Facts About Darvocet
Darvocet (propoxy-APAP) safety decreases the chance for undesirable side effects. Safety warnings about Darvocet should be respected. To enhance patient safety, Darvocet must be taken according to directions. Darvocet is an analgesic medication used to relieve pain.

How is Arthritis Diagnosed?
Arthritis is a complicated disease with many different types. To accurately diagnose arthritis, a medical history, physical examination, laboratory tests, and medical imaging are involved.

Arthritis Risk Factor Quiz
There are certain factors associated with an increased risk of developing arthritis. Do you have the risk factors? Take our quiz.

What Are TENS Units?
A brief explanation and fast facts about a TENS unit.

Foot Spa / Baths
A luxurious soak in a warm foot spa/bath helps relieve aches and pains. Great for arthritics!

Drugs Affect Potassium Levels
Potassium levels can be affected by certain medications. Potassium levels in the blood can be abnormally high or low due to medication side effects.

Reflex Sympathetic Dystrophy
Symptoms, cause, and treatment of RSD (reflex sympathetic dystrophy syndrome), which is also referred to by several other names including Complex Regional Pain Syndrome.

What Is Rheumatoid Factor?
Explanation of the significance of rheumatoid factor.

Is It Lupus?
Lupus is not a simple disease with an easy answer. Lupus is an autoimmune disease that can affect many parts of the body. Lupus may be hard to diagnose. Lupus is often mistaken for other diseases. For this reason, lupus has been called the “great imitator.”

Arthritis Medications for Dogs
Pain medications for dogs provide relief to millions of dogs with arthritis, joint problems or with pain after surgery. Learn more about pain medications for dogs in our three part guide.

What's Carpal Tunnel Syndrome?
Carpal tunnel syndrome is not only misunderstood, it is also frequently misspelled. Carpal tunnel syndrome is one of the 100 most often mispronounced and misspelled English phrases.

Osteoporosis Risk Factor Quiz
Osteoporosis Risk Factor Quiz A risk factor increases your likelihood of developing a disease or condition.

10 Facts About Colchicine
Colchicine safety decreases the chance for undesirable side effects. Safety warnings about colchicine should be respected. Colchicine is used for the treatment of gout. For safe use of the drug, here are 10 things you should know about colchicine including how it works, potential side effects, and warnings.

Rheumatoid Arthritis Symptoms
Recognizing the signs and symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis will lead to an accurate diagnosis and treatment plan. If you are experiencing rheumatoid arthritis symptoms, see a doctor.

Methotrexate For RA
Methotrexate is considered the standard treatment for rheumatoid arthritis.

8 Actions To Do For Arthritis
Eight actions which will help a person cope with arthritis and maintain a positive outlook.

TNF Blockers (Enbrel, Remicade, Humira) - Test Your Knowledge
The new class of drugs known as Biologic Response Modifiers includes TNF blockers Enbrel, Remicade, and Humira.

Blood Tests Used For Arthritis
Blood tests can help diagnose arthritis, monitor treatments, and track disease activity.

What Is Crepitus?
A clinical symptom characterized by peculiar cracking.

Guide To Lyme Disease
Lyme disease guide with in-depth information on the symptoms, diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of Lyme disease.

10 Lupus Facts You Should Know
Lupus is an autoimmune rheumatic disease. Lupus affects the joints, skin, and other organs of the body. Learn 10 things you should know about lupus.

Carpal Tunnel Syndrome - Test Your Knowledge
How much do you know about carpal tunnel syndrome? Take this quiz.

Wrist Fracture (Broken Wrist)
Wrist fracture is the most common type of fracture before the age of 75. In women, the number of wrist fractures increases at menopause and plateaus after age 65. This increased incidence is most likely related to the rapid loss of bone in the years following menopause.

Rheumatoid Arthritis Explained
Rheumatoid arthritis is an inflammatory type of arthritis which affects the joints and may affect other parts of the body. Photos help explain rheumatoid arthritis.

Do You Use Joint Protection Techniques? Test Yourself
Do you follow the principles of joint protection to preserve your joints?

Liver Blood Tests
Doctors routinely order liver blood tests to detect potential problems with liver function, a possible side effect of arthritis medications.

Prescription Abbreviations
Use of Latin prescription abbreviations has become a kind of medical shorthand. However, unless you have a medical background, prescription abbreviations can be hard to follow. What do the prescription abbreviations mean?

Handicapped Parking Permits
People with chronic disabilities such as arthritis often wait too long before getting a handicapped parking permit. People think they don't qualify or its too much trouble, but it's not. Here's how to obtain a handicapped parking permit.

Inflammation: Battle Within
Inflammation is a natural defense of the body to protect against foreign substances or injury, but it can cause problems in certain diseases.

Lyme Disease - Test Your Knowledge About Lyme Disease
How much do you know about Lyme disease?

Arthritis Quiz - Myth or Fact?
Arthritis is a complicated disease. Can you sort out the myths and facts about arthritis? Take our quiz.

Guide to Gout
A number of risk factors are related to the development of hyperuricemia and the cause of gout.

15 Weight Loss & Diet Myths
With so many products and weight loss theories out there, it's easy to get confused. How much do you really know about weight loss, nutrition, and diet?

The Facts Of Robaxin
Robaxin (Methocarbamol) is a muscle relaxer (muscle relaxant). Robaxin (Methocarbamol) is indicated as an adjunct to rest, physical therapy, and other therpapies for the relief of discomfort associated with acute, painful musculoskeletal conditions.

Arthritis Drugs: My Options?
Arthritis drugs have long been considered the traditional treatment option. Learn more about the various options and choices of arthritis drugs.

Glucosamine/Chondroitin Dose
How much glucosamine or chondroitin should a patient take to achieve a beneficial or therapeutic effect?

Rheumatoid Lung Disease Facts
Lung abnormalities are not uncommon in rheumatoid arthritis.

Is it Rheumatism or Arthritis?
The terms rheumatism, rheumatic disease, and arthritis are often used interchangeably. Are they the same?

Osteoarthritis Symptoms
If you are experiencing osteoarthritis symptoms, see a doctor. Recognizing the signs and symptoms of osteoarthritis will lead to an accurate diagnosis and treatment plan.

Guide to Shoulder Problems
There are many causes of shoulder problems. Some shoulder problems arise from the disruption of soft tissues as a result of injury or from overuse or underuse of the shoulder. Other shoulders problems arise from a degenerative process in which tissues break down and no longer function well.

Guide to Shoulder Problems
Typically, a person with a torn rotator cuff feels pain over the deltoid muscle at the top and outer side of the shoulder, especially when the arm is raised or extended out from the side of the body. Movement of the shoulder is severely restricted in people with a frozen shoulder, which is also called adhesive capsulitis.

Facts Of Skelaxin (Metaxalone)
Skelaxin (metaxalone) is a muscle relaxer (muscle relaxant) indicated as an adjunct to rest, physical therapy, and other measures for the relief of discomforts associated with acute, painful musculoskeletal conditions. Skelaxin (metaxalone) is available as a 400 mg round, pale rose tablet and an 800 mg oval, pink scored tablet.

First Visit To Rheumatologist
Rheumatologists are medical doctors who specialize in arthritis and related diseases. What to consider when preparing for your first appointment with a rheumatologist.

What Does Anti-CCP Indicate?
Anti-CCP is a diagnostic test for rheumatoid arthritis.

Ways To Manage Your Pain
Pain management helps preserve quality of life. Pain management techniques can stop the vicious cycle of pain. Management of pain is an important part of treating people with arthritis.

10 Rheumatoid Arthritis Facts
Rheumatoid arthritis is an autoimmune inflammatory type of arthritis. Rheumatoid arthritis affects 2.1 million Americans and three times as many women as men. There are important facts you should know about rheumatoid arthritis.

Guide To Foot Care
Learn more with this guide to good foot care and common foot problems. Better foot care may prevent many foot problems.

Exercise: Essential Treatment
Exercise is a vital part of arthritis treatment.

Significance Of CRP & Sedrate
An explanation of the significance of blood tests CRP (C-reactive protein) and ESR (erythrocyte sedimentation rate).

10 Ways To Increase Your Pain
Pain can be acute or chronic but there are sure ways to increase your pain - contrary to the desired effect of reducing pain.

Lab Tests - Test Your Knowledge
Lab Tests - Test Your Knowledge Lab tests are valuable diagnostic tools.  When used together with the

Moist / Dry Heating Pads
Heating pads soothe painful, aching arthritic joints. Dry heat, moist heat, or microwaveable wraps offer relief.

I'm Tired Of Being Tired
Fatigue is a primary symptom associated with rheumatoid arthritis.

What is Facet Arthropathy?
Facet arthropathy is caused by facet joints becoming arthritic and painful. Facet arthropathy can be a cause of back pain.

Paraffin Wax Baths
Soothe arthritis pain by soaking joints in hot paraffin wax.

Guide To Lower Back Pain
If you have lower back pain, you are not alone. Nearly everyone at some point has lower back pain that interferes with work, routine daily activities, or recreation.

Enbrel, Remicade, and Humira
Patients are often advised to weigh the benefit and risk of any medication, including TNF blockers Enbrel, Remicade, and Humira. What similarities and differences are there between the three drugs?

How To Exercise With Arthritis
Studies have shown that exercise helps people with arthritis in many ways. Exercise is one part of a comprehensive arthritis treatment plan. People with arthritis should discuss their exercise plans with a doctor. The amount and form of exercise recommended for each individual will vary depending on which joints are involved, the amount of inflammation, how stable the joints are, and whether a joint replacement procedure has been done.

Tylenol (Acetaminophen) Safety
Tylenol is a widely distributed and effective analgesic medication. But what about its safety?

Long-term Prednisone Use
Prednisone, one of the corticosteroids, is a powerful anti-inflammatory drug. Prednisone benefits and risks must be weighed.

10 Cooking Tips for Arthritics
Cooking can be difficult for people with arthritis who live with physical limitations, pain, and fatigue. These 10 cooking tips can help you make the task more manageable.

Lupus Poses Many Challenges
The most common symptoms of lupus disease are skin rashes, extreme fatigue, arthritis, unexplained fevers, and kidney problems.

Muscle Relaxers & Arthritis
When are muscle relaxers appropriately prescribed for arthritis patients? How do muscle relaxers work? Are muscle relaxers a short-term treatment or can they be part of a long-term maintenance regimen for arthritis patients to control aches and pains?

What Is Synvisc?
A brief explanation and fast facts about Synvisc injections. Synvisc injections are approved for the treatment of osteoarthritis of the knee in those who have failed to respond to more conservative therapy.

10 Facts About Plaquenil
Plaquenil (hydroxychloroquine) safety decreases the chance for undesirable side effects. Safety warnings about plaquenil (hydroxychloroquine) should be respected. Plaquenil is an older disease-modifying anti-rheumatic drug used to treat rheumatic and autoimmune conditions.

Is Hand Deformity Inevitable?
Rheumatoid arthritis hand deformity is a common symptom of the disease. Is rheumatoid arthritis hand deformity an inevitable consequence of the disease? Can it be prevented?

What Is Gout?
The diagnosis and treatment of gout is a rheumatology success story.

What is DDD?
DDD is osteoarthritis of the vertebral discs of the spine?

What Are Autoimmune Diseases?
Autoimmune diseases are disorders in which the body's tissues are attacked by its own immune system. There are many autoimmune diseases including lupus, rheumatoid arthritis, etc.

Testing For Kidney Problems
Kidney problems can be determined by specific blood tests or urine tests. Kidney problems can develop as side effects of some arthritis medications.

How to Treat Mouth Sores
Mouth sores are not uncommon in arthritis patients. We examine the reasons for mouth sores and treatments for mouth sores.

Scleroderma - Test Your Knowledge About Scleroderma
How much do you know about scleroderma?

10 Facts About Arthritis
Beyond the misconceptions and misinformation, there are 10 things you should know about arthritis.

Guide to Dry Mouth
Dry mouth is caused when the glands in the mouth that make saliva are not working properly. Because of this, there might not be enough saliva to keep your mouth wet. There can also be other causes of dry mouth.

What Is Supartz?
A brief explanation and fast facts about Supartz injections. Supartz injections are approved for the treatment of osteoarthritis of the knee in those who have failed to respond to simple painkillers, exercise or physical therapy.

SSDI: Do You Qualify?
There is specific criteria which must be met to qualify for SSDI ( Social Security Disability Insurance Income). Review of the criteria and qualifications for Social Security Disability Insurance Income (SSDI).

Fibromyalgia Treatment
Pregabalin (Lyrica) was the first medicine FDA-approved to treat fibromyalgia. More fibromyalgia drugs are in development. Doctors also treat fibromyalgia with a variety of medications developed and approved for other purposes.

Anti-TNF: Fearing side effects
Arthritis patients sometimes fear the side effects of the TNF blockers Enbrel, Remicade, and Humira. Should they be afraid and avoid these drugs?

10 Facts About Methotrexate
Methotrexate (Rheumatrex, Trexall) safety decreases the chance for undesirable side effects. Safety warnings about methotrexate (Rheumatrex, Trexall) should be respected. Methotrexate is a DMARD (disease-modifying anti-rheumatic drug) used to treat certain types of arthritis and rheumatic conditions. There are important safety facts and warnings you should know about methotrexate.

What is Rheumatic Fever?
Rheumatic fever is an inflammatory disease which may affect the heart, joints, brain, and skin. Polyarthritis occurs in 75% of cases of rheumatic fever. Polyarthritis is one of the major criteria associated with rheumatic fever.

10 Osteoarthritis Facts
Osteoarthritis is the most common type of arthritis. There are 10 important facts you should know about osteoarthritis.

Fast Facts About Lupus
Lupus is a complex disease which can be hard to diagnose. Symptoms of lupus can resemble other types of arthritis and rheumatic diseases.

What is Uric Acid?
Uric acid, the glossary definition.

Arthritis Hand Photo Gallery
35 year old female with rheumatoid arthritis for 10 months. Photo of joint swelling and damage from rheumatoid arthritis.

Lyme Disease Photo Gallery
Black-legged ticks, Ixodes scapularis, are known to transmit Lyme disease (Borrelia burgdorferi) to humans and animals during feeding when they insert their mouth parts into the skin of a host and slowly take in the nutrient-rich host blood.

What Are Steroids?
Glossary definition of steroids

10 Facts About Tylenol
Tylenol (acetaminophen) safety decreases the chance for undesirable side effects. Safety warnings about Tylenol (acetaminophen) should be respected. To enhance patient safety, Tylenol (acetaminophen) must be taken according to directions.

Is it Arthritis?
A look at arthritis from diagnosis to learning to live with a chronic illness.

What Is a Medrol Dosepak?
Medrol can be given in a tapering dose over a 6-day period. For ease of use, it is available and marketed as the Medrol dosepak. Specific instructions come with the Medrol dosepak and detail exactly when it should be taken.

Safely Dispose of Medications
It happens to everyone for a variety of reasons. You end up with a medicine cabinet full of expired or unused medications, now considered a toxic form of household hazardous waste. Proper drug disposal is an emerging environmental issue. As with any household waste, the disposal method chosen can have a direct effect on safety and the health of the environment. Learn how to safely dispose of your unwanted medications.