SUBMITTED BY:

Sali, Clarice Ann & Mejia, Maureen Joyce

RHEUMATOID ARTHRITIS.
January 29, 2015

Lifestyle and home remedies

Common Complementary and

Alternative Treatments

Exercise regularly.Gentle exercise can help strengthen the

muscles around your joints, and it can help fight fatigue you
might feel. Check with your doctor before you start exercising. If
you're just getting started, begin by taking a walk. Try swimming
or gentle water aerobics. Avoid exercising tender, injured or
severely inflamed joints.

Plant oils.The seeds of evening primrose, borage and black

currant contain a type of fatty acid that may help with
rheumatoid arthritis pain and morning stiffness. Side effects may
include nausea, diarrhea and gas. Some plant oils can cause liver
damage or interfere with medications, so check with your doctor
first.

Apply heat or cold.Heat can help ease your pain and

relax tense, painful muscles. Cold may dull the
sensation of pain. Cold also has a numbing effect and
decreases muscle spasms.

Fish oil.Some preliminary studies have found that fish oil

supplements may reduce rheumatoid arthritis pain and stiffness.
Side effects can include nausea, belching and a fishy taste in the
mouth. Fish oil can interfere with medications, so check with your
doctor first.

Relax.Find ways to cope with pain by reducing stress

in your life. Techniques such as guided imagery,
distraction and muscle relaxation can all be used to
control pain.

Tai chi.This movement therapy involves gentle exercises and

stretches combined with deep breathing. Many people use tai chi
to relieve stress in their lives. Small studies have found that tai
chi may reduce rheumatoid arthritis pain. When led by a
knowledgeable instructor, tai chi is safe. But don't do any moves
that cause pain.

Coping and support

The degree to which rheumatoid arthritis affects your daily
activities depends in part on how well you cope with the
disease. Talk to your doctor or nurse about strategies for
coping. With time you'll find what strategies work best for you.
In the meantime, try to:

Take control. With your doctor, make a plan for

managing your arthritis. This will help you feel in charge of
your disease.

suggest new ways to do daily tasks, which will be easier on your joints. For example, if your fingers are sore, you may wa
ndle helps protect your finger and wrist joints. Certain tools, such as buttonhooks, can make it easier to get dressed. Cat

Know your limits. Rest when you're tired.

Rheumatoid arthritis can make you prone to fatigue and
muscle weakness. A rest or short nap that doesn't
interfere with nighttime sleep may help.

Connect with others. Keep your family aware of how

you're feeling. They may be worried about you but might
not feel comfortable asking about your pain. Find a family
member or friend you can talk to when you're feeling
especially overwhelmed. Also connect with other people
who have rheumatoid arthritis whether through a
support group in your community or online.

Take time for yourself. It's easy to get busy and not

X-RAYS
Your doctor may recommend X-rays
to help track the progression of
rheumatoid arthritis in your joints
over time.

There is no cure for rheumatoid

arthritis. Medications can
reduce infammation in your
joints in order to relieve pain
and prevent or slow joint
damage.
Occupational and physical
therapy can teach you how to
protect your joints. If your joints
are severely damaged by
rheumatoid arthritis, surgery
may be necessary.

BLOOD TEST
People with rheumatoid
arthritis tend to have an
elevated erythrocyte
sedimentation rate (ESR, or
sed rate), which indicates
the presence of an
inflammatory process in the
body. Other common blood
tests look for rheumatoid
factor and anti-cyclic
citrullinate d peptide (antiCCP) antibodies.

Does
any
a c t iv it y
m a ke
your
s y m p to
ms
b e t te r
or
w orse?

Hav
e
your
sym
p to
ms
cha
nge
d
over
t im e
?

Rheumatoid arthritis can be

difcult to diagnose in its
early stages because the
early signs and symptoms
mimic those of many other
diseases. There is no one
blood test or physical
finding to confirm the
diagnosis.
During the physical exam,
your doctor will check your
joints for swelling, redness
and warmth. He or she will
also check your reflexes and
muscle strength

W hi
ch
jo in t
s
a re
a ff e
c te d
?

A re
your
sym p
to m s
in t e r f
e r in g
w it h
d a ily
ta sk s
?

Yo u r d o c t o r m a y
a s k s o m e o f th e
fo llo w in g
q u e s tio n s :

W h at to
e x p e c t fr o m
y o u r d o c to r

W he
n d id
your
sym p
to m s
begi
n?