Many older adults feel positive about their health. Here’s why.

From washingtonpost.com/health

A common myth about aging is that older adults are burdened by illness and feel lousy much of the time. In fact, the opposite is usually true. Most seniors report feeling distinctly positive about their health.

Consider data from the 2017 National Health Interview Survey (the most recent available), administered by the Centres for Disease Control and Prevention. When asked to rate their overall health, 82 percent of adults ages 65 to 74 described it as excellent (18 percent), very good (32 percent) or good (32 percent) — on the positive side of the ledger. By contrast, 18 percent of this age group had a negative perspective, describing their health as fair (14 percent) or poor (4 percent).

This trend toward positivity is also evident among adults age 75 and older: 73 percent of this group said their health was excellent (12 percent), very good (28 percent) or good (33 percent), while only 27 percent gave a fair (20 percent) or poor (7 percent) evaluation.

How could this be true when the majority of older adults — about 60 percent — have two or more chronic illnesses, such as diabetes, arthritis, hypertension, heart disease or kidney disease, and higher rates of physical impairment than other age groups?

The answer lies in how older adults think about their health. For many, good health means more than the lack of illness or disability. The components of health they tend to value more are vitality, emotional well-being, positive social relationships, remaining active and satisfaction with life, while poor physical functioning plays a less important role.

“Being healthy means being able to continue doing what I like: going to the theatre, organizing programs, enjoying the arts, walking,” said Lorelei Goldman, 80, of Evanston, Ill., who has had ovarian and breast cancer. She also describes her health as “good.”

“I have all my faculties and good, long-time friendships,” Goldman said. “I used to be a bad sleeper, but now I’m sleeping much better. Almost every day, there are moments of clarity and joy. I’m involved in a lot of activities that are sustaining.”

Even when older adults are coping with medical conditions and impairments, they can usually think of people their age who are worse off — those who have died or gone to nursing homes, said Ellen Idler, a professor of sociology at Emory University in Atlanta and a leading researcher in the field of “self-rated health.” By comparison, seniors still able to live on their own may feel “I’m doing pretty well.”

At some point, merely surviving can be interpreted as a sign of good health. “People hit their 80s and 90s, look around and feel pretty good about just being alive,” Idler said.

That isn’t true for younger adults, who measure their health against an ideal “there shouldn’t be anything wrong with me” standard. But expectations for what constitutes good health change as people move into later life.

“Older people expect some deterioration in health and aren’t thrown off course in the same way when it occurs,” said Jason Schnittker, a professor of sociology at the University of Pennsylvania who has studied self-rated health.

Resilience is also at play. As older adults adapt to illness and other physical changes, they tend to adjust their outlook. “I may be handicapped, but I can still walk,” one 86-year-old woman told Swiss researchers after being hospitalized from a fall and forced to use a stick to get around. She considered herself fortunate and rated her health positively. “As long as you can get to church, as long as you can walk, you can say all’s well,” a man in his 80s declared after becoming severely disabled because of a slipped disk in his spine and an embolism. He, too, felt good about his health.

Lest you think older adults’ bias toward positivity is a sign of denial or a lack of objectivity, a large body of research shows it’s highly meaningful. “Self-rated health is very strongly predictive of longevity” as well as other outcomes such as cognitive health and use of health-care services, Schnittker said.

Idler and Yael Benyamini, a professor at Tel Aviv University’s Bob Shapell School of Social Work, were among the first scholars to highlight the association between self-rated health and mortality in a much-cited 1997 study that examined research reports from around the world. The link was consistent even when adjustments were made for respondents’ medical conditions, medication use, health-care utilization, socioeconomic status and other factors.

In a phone conversation, Benyamini offered two explanations for this finding, which has been widely replicated. People may be acutely attuned to subtle changes in their bodies, like increased pain or fatigue, that end up being significant but may be hard for doctors to detect. Also, people may factor in how multiple medical conditions interact and affect them — something that medical tests don’t pick up.

“Say you have diabetes, angina and osteoarthritis. How does this affect your life? It’s very individual — no one can tell from the outside — and it’s hard to put your finger on as a physician,” she said.

Another possible explanation is that people who feel healthy are more likely to be active and take care of themselves, making it likely they’ll survive longer, Benyamini said.

This positivity isn’t universal. African Americans, Hispanics, people with lower levels of income and education, and individuals with poor social connections are more likely to rate their health negatively as they age. At younger ages, women rate their health more poorly than men, but this changes in later life, with men becoming more likely to report worse health and women becoming more optimistic.

Sometimes surveys assess self-rated mental health separately, and results for older adults again overturn common assumptions about negativity associated with older age. The National Social Life, Health, and Aging Project, spearheaded by investigators at the University of Chicago, found that fewer than 1 percent of adults (ages 57 to 97) rated their mental health as poor; just under 8 percent considered it fair; nearly 23 percent thought it was good; nearly 41 percent believed it was very good; and 28 percent judged it excellent. This data, based on a representative sample of 3,101 individuals surveyed in 2015, was provided upon request and has not yet been published.

“Mental health becomes an even more important component of self-rated health with age,” Schnittker said. Depression, in particular, appears to be a negative influence, affecting how people view their circumstances.

Although Laurie Brock, 69, of Denver, has severe arthritis and systemic lupus erythematosus, she considers her health “very good” and credits her optimism, close relationships and “extremely active life.” Poor health would mean being bedridden, “not being able to go out or be as mobile as I am” or extended suffering, she said.

“My attitude now is ‘I’ve lived 70 good years, and I hope the next years are rich as well,’ ” Brock said. “I think most people fear old age. But once they get there, it’s like, ‘Oh, I’m still going, I’m still okay.’ And fear becomes acceptance.”

https://www.washingtonpost.com/health/many-older-adults-feel-positive-about-their-health-heres-why/2019/06/28/36b8c564-9372-11e9-b58a-a6a9afaa0e3e_story.html?utm_term=.142c6d9fa6d7

Norwich scientists seek volunteers to slurp broccoli soup to test if it can combat arthritis

From edp24.co.uk/news

Volunteers who are happy to slurp broccoli soup are wanted for a Norfolk trial, to see whether eating the vegetable can help slow down the effects of arthritis.
Researchers at the University of East Anglia (UEA) and the Norfolk and Norwich University Hospital are recruiting for the first human trial into the benefits of a compound called sulfarophane, having already studied its effects on mice.
Sulforaphane is released when eating vegetables such as Brussels sprouts, cabbage and, particularly, broccoli.
The research team is looking for people over 50 with knee osteoarthritis, who are in pain, and who like broccoli.

                                                              Photo: Bill Smith

Researchers will compare the effects of eating broccoli soup with another soup, which doesn't contain broccoli, but looks and tastes the same.
Patients with moderate to severe osteoarthritis will be randomly assigned to either the broccoli or the other soup and will eat this with a meal on four days per week for three months.

https://www.edp24.co.uk/news/health/could-broccoli-soup-help-combat-arthritis-1-6128894

Arthritis and exercise: Why it helps to be more physically active

From newswise.com

Newswise — More than 50 million U.S. adults have arthritis. Many experience severe joint pain and, likely because of their pain, don’t do much exercising if at all.
But medical experts say that while joint pain is often managed with medication, regular physical activity, trying as it can be, can also be effective in reducing pain from arthritis over time.

“In most cases, people with arthritis need to increase their physical activity more gradually than someone without it,” says Randy Siy, PT, MHA, outpatient program coordinator at Levindale Hebrew Geriatric Centre and Hospital. “A physical therapist will partner with you to develop a program customized specifically to your level of function and your goals.”

The Centres for Disease Control and Prevention says that about 15 million U.S. adults with arthritis have severe joint pain, which is pain at a seven or higher on a scale of zero to 10. A CDC study found that even though physical activity can decrease arthritis pain, nearly half of adults with arthritis and severe joint pain are physically inactive. Severe joint pain and physical inactivity are linked to poor mental and physical health outcomes.
Joint pain can inhibit you from doing simple things like carrying grocery bags or holding a cup, let alone exercising. Understandably, pain and a fear of worsening their condition can make you reluctant to engage in physical activity if you have arthritis.

Nevertheless, exercise is considered an inexpensive way of reducing your pain; preventing or delaying disability and limitations; and improving your mental health, physical functioning and overall quality of life with fewer adverse effects.

There are low-impact exercises appropriate for all fitness levels for adults with arthritis. Siy recommends the following forms of exercise:

Aerobic exercises
Aerobic exercises can help improve your overall fitness, including your cardiovascular health, weight management, and stamina and energy. Walking, cycling, and swimming are great forms of cardiovascular exercise that are promoted by several physical activity programs geared toward reducing arthritis pain. It is recommended that you work your way up to 150 minutes of moderate intensity exercise a week.

Strengthening exercises
Weight training and resistance exercises can help strengthen muscles that support and protect your joints. If you have arthritis (and especially severe joint pain), you should avoid exercising the same muscle groups two days in a row. “Remember to rest a day in between your workouts, and take an extra day or two if your joints are painful or swollen,” Siy says.

For a strength-training program, it is recommended that you do related exercises three times a week, though two days a week is all you need to maintain your strength, Siy adds. For people with knee arthritis, increasing quadriceps strength is important. Exercises such as mini-squats and sit-to-stand from a chair can be beneficial.

Range-of-motion exercises
These exercises (which might include movements such as marching, finger and wrist flexion/extension, and leg kicks) relieve stiffness and increase your ability to move your joints through their full range of motion. “Generally, these exercises can be done daily,” Siy says.

https://www.newswise.com//articles/arthritis-and-exercise-why-it-helps-to-be-more-physically-active

4 Ways to Manage Stress With Psoriatic Arthritis

From everydayhealth.com

For people with psoriatic arthritis, not only is stress uncomfortable, it worsens their symptoms.

According to the National Psoriasis Foundation, more than eight million Americans have psoriasis and up to 30 percent of them may develop psoriatic arthritis (PsA). Simply living with psoriatic arthritis is stressful — it affects every part of your being. There is no denying that emotional stress can trigger flares; likewise, flares can cause increased stress.
Physical discomfort resulting from psychosocial stress is one of the most common reasons why people seek medical care. But for people with psoriatic arthritis, not only is stress uncomfortable, it worsens their symptoms.

When stress and PsA pain and inflammation intensify over time, they can create even further problems, including:

• Changes in appetite because of medication
• Difficulty concentrating from the side effects of medication, leading to poor performance
• Difficulty sleeping, leading to chronic fatigue
• Inability to exercise, leading to poor aerobic and physical fitness
• Increased irritability from lack of sleep or medication side-effects
• Withdrawal from favourite activities because of low energy
• Depression

The fact is stress is simply the trigger. Your response to stress influences your pain as well as other aspects of your physical and emotional health. Your stress reaction is strongly influenced by your mental state and coping skills. However, there are ways to counter emotional stress, even with psoriatic arthritis, and move forward to health and healing.

1. Seek Social Support

There are new findings that social support is important for people with chronic illnesses like psoriatic arthritis. A review of studies published in January 2019 in the journal Current Psychology concluded that providing support may be related to positive consequences among arthritis patients.
Social support can be a strong group of family members and close friends or a support system — doctors, nurses, other healthcare professionals — that provides help in coping with a chronic illness. In some cases, this social strength has been associated with a greater adherence to medical regimens and health services.
You know how stress supercharges you, causing stomach distress and aches and pains or sending your heart rate soaring. In the same way, social support may have a complex effect on well-being — but it is calming, positive, and protective.
With increased social support, you learn to buffer life’s interruptions with effective coping skills instead of letting the moment’s stressor overwhelm you.

2. Learn to Say No

It’s no news that failing to set personal limits or say no to too many demands will put you in overload and add to your already high stress level with a chronic condition. While the desire to volunteer and help others is commendable, being all things to all people can hinder your healing with PsA and make you feel resentful, tired, and depressed.
Try to reach any decision that will involve a physical and mental commitment before you are put on the spot. Then take a firm stand. If the commitment will keep you from getting the rest, diet, exercise, and relaxation you need to live well with PsA, then say no. Only make those commitments you can keep without unnecessary stress.

3. Exercise Daily

Exercise is a proven way to de-stress and is recommended by the National Psoriasis Foundation for patients with PsA. Exercise helps improve the flexibility of psoriatic arthritis joints and keeps them from becoming stiff and immovable.
It also helps improve the strength of the muscles that support your painful joints. When your joints have strong muscles supporting them, they are likely to have less inflammation, less pain, and less stiffness. And the stronger you are, the less likely you are to fall, which can be devastating for someone with painful PsA.
Additionally, according to the National Psoriasis Foundation, exercise boosts the production of endorphins, chemicals in the body that improve mood and energy. Regular exercise can improve sleep and lessen your anxiety.

The type of exercise you choose depends on the location of the psoriatic arthritis. For example, swimming in warm water is excellent for arthritis in the hips and knees, as it strengthens the muscles around the joints while placing little stress on the joints. Water exercises may help reduce pain all over your body and keep you flexible. Both yoga and tai chi are proven to ease stress and increase relaxation in the body.

                                                                      Getty Images

4. See a Therapist

Little is known about how people with psoriatic arthritis cope with their multi-symptom condition, but data confirms that psychological problems are under-recognized and undertreated. Florida-based psychologist John Berg, PhD, recommends seeking professional help if you are finding stress difficult to manage by yourself. “A qualified therapist can help you identify the behaviours and thought patterns that are making the anxiety worse and work with you to change them.”
Therapy is a significant time commitment (often an hour weekly for several months) but can make a real difference. You may also want to consult a psychiatrist about medication to help manage anxiety and depression.

https://www.everydayhealth.com/psoriatic-arthritis/ways-manage-stress-with-psoriatic-arthritis/

Exercise is important for arthritis sufferers

From theitem.com

Arthritis is a common, chronic disease that is the leading cause of disability. More than half of adults age 65 and older experience arthritis, and two out of every three obese people suffer from it. According to the Centres for Disease Control, 54 million Americans have arthritis. Almost half of those with arthritis report that it limits their physical activity. Arthritis can affect anyone, as it is not specific to race, ethnicity, age or gender.

While arthritis means joint inflammation, it has evolved to describe more than 100 rheumatic diseases and conditions affecting joints, tissues and surrounding connective tissues. The symptoms, location and severity of the pain can differ from one individual to another. Some experience pain and stiffness in and around bone joints, while other types can involve the immune system and internal organs.

According to the American College of Rheumatology, arthritis is one of the most common reasons people report for being less physically active. However, inactivity can make arthritis symptoms worse - decreased pain tolerance, weak muscles, stiff joints, reduced range of motion and poor balance.

Research has shown that low-intensity physical activity performed regularly can help reduce pain, improve function and delay the onset of disability.
Joint and muscle changes occur naturally with age but can make arthritis symptoms worse. Exercise in general can prevent bone and muscle loss, which is not only important for those with arthritis but even for those who do not have any symptoms. Long-term studies have shown that individuals with arthritis-related pain can benefit from moderate-intensity activity.

Flexibility and stretching exercises help maintain and improve range of motion in the affected joints and surrounding muscles, which can reduce risk of injuries. Range-of-motion exercises should be performed on a daily basis to thin the fluid and get the joints moving. Stretching should also be done, and it is recommended that each stretch be held for 15-30 seconds. Activities like Yoga or Tai Chi cover both range of motion and stretching exercises.

Strong muscles provide greater joint support by reducing the amount of load and pressure placed on the joints. Resistance or strength training should challenge the muscles without increased joint pain. This type of training can include the use of elastic bands, water-resistance therapy exercises, hand weights or machines. Exercises should target the major muscle groups that surround the joints and should be performed two to three times per week.

Aerobic exercise can also help improve muscle functioning and build endurance. The World Health Organization recommends 150 minutes of aerobic exercise each week. Low-impact exercises like walking, cycling, swimming and dancing can increase the heart rate with less pain to the joints.

Exercises do not need to be performed all at once for maximum benefit; they can be spread out throughout the day to meet any individual's tolerance level.

https://www.theitem.com/stories/exercise-is-important-for-arthritis-sufferers,329223

Is there a cure to rheumatoid arthritis?

From asianage.com

RA science is in a fortunate situation compared to many other inflammatory diseases where it is rarely known when and where disease-specific immunity may be triggered and how it may gradually evolve towards targeting of the end organ. (Photo: Representational/Pixabay)

Washington: A study has claimed that the identification of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) before it develops could significantly alter the course of the ailment. The study was published in the journal 'Clinical Therapeutics'.
Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a chronic inflammatory autoimmune disorder that leads to significant health issues as well as high treatment costs. Many studies are already underway to learn how to prevent RA, however, prevention of autoimmune diseases is still new territory and there is a lot to discuss and learn.

"Most autoimmune diseases are only identified once an individual gets 'sick.' For example, with RA, once someone has painful, swollen joints," said Dr Tsang Tommy Cheung, one of the guest editors. "Blood-based tests can now identify individuals who are at risk before they feel sick, opening a whole new world of screening and possible prevention.
Treating RA very early may allow for cheaper, safer therapies to work because once full-blown RA has developed, typically very powerful medications are needed to control disease," Dr Cheung added.

The study identified several important challenges such as getting society to invest in prevention, finding prevention approaches that work, finding individuals who are at-risk for future RA through simple methods, getting the research and medical community to agree on the right terminology for RA and patient preference is also a major challenge.

"RA science is in a fortunate situation compared to many other inflammatory diseases where it is rarely known when and where disease-specific immunity may be triggered and how it may gradually evolve towards targeting of the end organ," commented Lars Klareskog of Karolinska University Hospital.

"Research and solutions proposed in this issue may also serve as a demonstration example for many other chronic immune-mediated diseases," added Klareskog. Editor-in-Chief Richard Shader commented, "The efforts of this team of experts to raise awareness of RA and to explore methods for early detection and intervention should catalyse the medical and scientific communities to increase their efforts to find better ways to treat and perhaps even prevent RA and its complications."

"Treating RA very early may allow for cheaper, safer therapies to work because once full-blown RA has developed, typically very powerful medications are needed to control the disease. This is like stopping a fire when it is still at the stage of a candle - pretty easy. However, stopping a fire once a full-blown forest fire has developed is very hard!" concluded the guest editors.

https://www.asianage.com/life/health/110619/is-there-a-cure-to-rheumatoid-arthritis.html

7 Ways to Relieve and Prevent Joint Pain

From bostonsportsextra.com

Joint pains are a common occurrence for elderly people. Joint pains can make it very hard to do your favourite activities,   making it hard to blend into fitness groups and carry out routine exercises.  If your joints feel stiff, you are not alone, because this is a common problem for people who suffer from joint inflammation and arthritis.

In the case of inflammation, inflammatory cells get to join the fluid to gather around joints causing swelling and stiffness. Rheumatoid arthritis is a condition that arises from the body’s inability to offer a proper immune response to joint pain tissue.

Here are seven ways to help relieve joint pain:

1. Eat healthy meals
Most of the joint pain problems we experience as we grow older is as a result of unhealthy eating right form teenage days.  Radically switching your diet to more healthy alternatives can be one of the best decisions you will ever make to relieve joint pain.  Purposefully incorporate anti-inflammatory meals or food items to your daily routine.  Ginger is very popular as an anti-inflammatory food source.
Soya bean is another popular anti-inflammatory food source.  There has been documented evidence of patients who stayed on a 3-month diet on soybean and cut their pain medications by half.

2. Tai chi to the rescue
Funny as it sounds, the ancient Chinese movement of meditation known as Tai Chi has a positive effect on mitigating the pains from joints. Over three-quarters of patients who practiced it on a regular basis reported marked improvement from osteoarthritis. Meditative tai chi movement and yoga have been shown to loosen joint tissue relax the muscle and relieve the pressure of stiffness.

3. Take anti-inflammatory drug doses
Motrin and Aleve are two of the most potent anti-inflammatory drugs out there. They’re very effective at reducing the painful condition of rheumatoid arthritis and inflammation of the joints.  Fortunately, they are available over-the-counter.  You will need a doctor’s prescription if you require something stronger.

Word of caution:  some anti-inflammatory drugs can cause inflammation and bleeding in the gastrointestinal tract so it is wise to seek medical advice before using them.

4. Make use of Heat or Ice
Gently applying heat with a hot pad or cold pressing the affected joint area can provide short-term relief from joint pains. Some users find applying heat soothing because it increases blood circulation while others prefer the use of a cold press because it reduces swelling at the joint.

5 Make the switch two more healthy oils
More often than not the source of inflammation at the joint as a result of unhealthy fats and oils in our diet. Olive oil, canola oil and facet oil are some of the healthiest oils you can incorporate into your daily diet. Experts also suggest that you reduce the intake of food items that contain omega-6 fatty acids such as red meat and Poultry feed.
Aim to eat one or two servings per day of food items that contain Omega-3 fatty acids which is an anti-inflammatory fighting compound.  An example is cold water fish such as salmon.

6. Drop that excess fat
Being overweight places more pressure on the joint thereby increasing inflammation. If you are overweight and experiencing joint pain you will do yourself a lot of good by undertaking a weight loss program to shed that excess fat. In fact according to a study on arthritis and rheumatism losing as much as 10 to 15 pounds can cut down your risk of developing osteoarthritis.

Weight loss plans can last for as long as 3 months and will require that you make drastic changes to your eating habits in conjunction with an active lifestyle (exercises). To succeed and stay motivated on a weight loss program look for partners on the same goal as you. That way you can both challenge yourselves to success.

7. Acupuncture
Acupuncture is growing popular by the day in the medical field.  It has been employed in a lot of medical fields not only to relieve pain but on other areas by using ultra-fine needles.  These needles are punctured on specific areas of the body to relieve inflammation and the onset of severe pain.
I’m sure one or several of these pain-relieving options might have caught your eye. The solution to problematic joint pains is acting on treatment or healthy lifestyle consistently. Soon enough you will begin to notice some positive changes. Keep at it.

http://bostonsportsextra.com/blog/2019/06/7-ways-to-relieve-and-prevent-joint-pain

Rheumatoid Arthritis — A Painful Condition

From southplattesentinel.com

This week we are going to investigate the causes and treatments for rheumatoid arthritis, a common condition of the joints which causes pain and aching, stiffness, tenderness as well as less known symptoms such as weight loss, fever, fatigue and weakness. In severe cases, the body’s organs can be attacked.

The Centres for Disease Control states that rheumatoid arthritis is an auto immune inflammatory disease meaning that the immune system attacks healthy cells in the body by mistake causing inflammation in the affected parts of the body. RA mainly attacks the joints, usually many joints at one. RA commonly affects joints in the hands, wrists and knees. The tissue damage can cause long lasting or chronic pain, unsteadiness and deformity of the limb. In more severe cases rheumatoid arthritis can also affect the lungs, heart and eyes.

Rheumatoid arthritis can begin at any age but the likelihood increases with age. The onset of new cases of rheumatoid arthritis are typically 2-3 times higher in women than men and people born with specific genes are more likely to develop rheumatoid arthritis. The human leukocyte antigen class II genotypes can affect the arthritis making it worse and the risk of RA may be highest in patient with these genes exposed to environmental factors like smoking or when the person is obese.

Rheumatoid arthritis is diagnosed by reviewing a patient’s symptoms, conducting a physical examination and doing x-rays and lab tests. It is best to diagnose RA early so that people with the disease can begin treatment to slow or stop the disease progression such as damage to the joints. A physician should always be consulted when rheumatoid arthritis is suspected and whenever possible, a rheumatologist or specialist in the treatment of autoimmune conditions should be consulted.

Patients with rheumatoid arthritis can suffer premature heart disease, obesity and can struggle maintaining employment. Additionally, physical therapists are good people to know when rheumatoid arthritis is affecting your life as some of the most important treatments for RA include getting physically active in walking, swimming or biking, attending affected physical activity programs, joining self-management education program, quitting smoking and maintaining a healthy weight. The National Arthritis Association is a good resource to consult when dealing with rheumatoid arthritis as well as this agency is dedicated to the treatment of arthritis of all types and rheumatoid arthritis being one of the major types battled by many patients.

As you can see, the CDC recommends activity and exercise for patients with rheumatoid arthritis as the movement seems to help both the immune system and the joints themselves and minimizes the affects the autoimmune condition can cause.

https://www.southplattesentinel.com/2019/06/04/rheumatoid-arthritis-a-painful-condition/

Arthritis in young people – a growing problem

From practicebusiness.co.uk

Arthritis is a condition that’s more commonly associated with older people, but NHS England figures show that about 15,000 children and young people in the UK have developed some form of the condition. The pain and discomfort of arthritis can have a negative impact on young people but, with a correct diagnosis and support, they can enjoy full lives.

One in six people in the UK experiences some form of inflammation and pain in a joint. The most common forms, osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis, are closely related to age, appearing most commonly in those aged over 40. In younger people, the most prevalent form is known as juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA). The condition causes pain and inflammation in one or more joints for at least six weeks, but can last for years.

In younger people, the most prevalent form is known as juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA).

Harriet’s story

Diagnosing arthritis in young people can be a challenge, as Emily Hearle found when seeking to understand why her two-year old daughter was experiencing pain and discomfort. She shared her story in the Metro newspaper.

“Harriet was just two when she was diagnosed with JIA. It was a battle to even get the diagnosis – we were told arthritis was so far down the list of possibilities for her symptoms that we shouldn’t give it another thought. Treatments helped at first, but a few months later Harriet’s condition flared up aggressively and we struggled to control it. She cried in pain at pre-school, she couldn’t take part in activities that other children could and saw so many different doctors that she became distrusting of leaving the house.

“At its worst, I remember asking Harriet’s physiotherapist if there was anything I could do myself to help improve her mobility. The answer involved numbing her foot in iced water and then manipulating it to get the joints moving again – not easy for a three-year-old in excruciating pain.

“At this time, I also had a new-born and it was hard balancing everyone’s needs. I realised it was up to us to fight this condition. Since then, I’ve become an advocate for living a positive life with JIA and I want to support other parents in similar situations. The severe lack of recognition and awareness of arthritis, especially in younger people and children, means that many families struggle to get a diagnosis and are not aware of the support that is available to them.”

Thankfully, Emily is now a happy and active young girl who is living life to the full. “I like to tell people that there is hope – with timely diagnosis and treatment it’s possible to live a full and active life with JIA,” Emily adds.

Road to recovery

Treatment of children with JIA involves medication, physiotherapy, occupational therapy, podiatry and psychological support, says the Children’s Chronic Arthritis Association (CCAA).  As a condition with no known cure, treatments aim to reduce pain and disease activity, maintain joint movement and improve muscle strength. Ultimately, the aim is to ensure freedom of movement for the child.

In many cases the symptoms of JIA will improve as children get older, enabling them to live full and active lives. The condition can have an impact on parents, many of whom will never have considered that their child could develop a condition like arthritis. To help parents with children who have arthritis, Emily created JIA Matters, an online support group and network for parents with children who have arthritis. The website, and an associated Facebook group, include details of local families and groups who have children with arthritis.

Useful resources:

• You can find information on support around JIA in young people at the Versus Arthritis.
• You can find information on living with JIA at the CCAA website.
• Visit the JIA Matters website for details of local support groups and parents with children who have JIA.

https://practicebusiness.co.uk/arthritis-in-young-people-a-growing-problem/

Dr Miriam Stoppard: A little bit of daily exercise will keep the aches and pains at bay

From mirror.co.uk/lifestyle

A new study suggests that a brisk ten minute walk every day will give you the best chance of avoiding arthritis in later life

Well now, just how little exercise do you think you need to do? Not very much, it would seem.
Less than 10 minutes of brisk walking a day could counteract disability in older people leading to safer walking and less difficulty with daily activities such as bathing and dressing.
A new study shows just a little bit of fast-paced activity each day for those with osteoarthritis (OA) can keep them fit enough to cross the street safely.
The study looked at more than 1,500 adults from the National Osteoarthritis Initiative between 2008 and 2014.
OA occurs when the cartilage, which cushions the ends of the bones, becomes worn out. More than 8.75 million Brits suffer from it, mostly over 65, and it’s a top cause of disability in senior citizens.

Gardening or a brisk walk will help you keep fit (stock picture) (Image: Getty Images/Cultura RF)

Around two in five people with OA will become disabled due to arthritis of the hips, knees, ankles and feet.

It turns out, however, that it’s easier for older adults to perform daily tasks with less than 10 minutes a day of moderate to vigorous activity – only about an hour in total each week.
Participants who did get in an hour had an 85% reduced risk of walking too slowly to cross a street safely and around 45% reduced risk of having difficulty bathing or dressing.
“We were very excited to see that the amount of activity that ­distinguished people who stayed ­independent from those who didn’t was substantially less than the standard recommendation [150 minutes per week by the NHS],” said Professor Dunlop at Northwestern University, US.

                                   Walking can help avoid arthritis (stock photo) (Image: Getty)
The team followed up the participants four years later and found that nearly a quarter of adults who weren’t performing the weekly hour of exercise were walking too slowly to cross the street safely.
Additionally, more than 20% said they were having difficulty carrying out their morning routines.
“This is less than 10 minutes of moderate activity a day,” said Prof Dunlop.
“We want people to do as much as they can but, if they’re ­hesitant, I want to see that they can partake in a little activity and ­experience benefits.

“Moderate activity is beneficial to maintain independence and support your health. More broadly, physical activity is a win-win strategy.
"It costs little, improves health and is enjoyable.”
The most important takeaway message is that it requires so little time and effort to maintain a basic level of fitness which can then ensure a more active daily life.

https://www.mirror.co.uk/lifestyle/health/dr-miriam-stoppard-little-bit-16205012

The Most Common Types of Arthritis, and Who’s at Risk for Each

From news.yahoo.com

If you’ve been feeling extra stiff lately, you may wonder if you have arthritis—a condition in which one or more of your joints is inflamed. About 54 million Americans experience some type of arthritis, but there are actually more than 100 joint-related conditions that may fall under this general umbrella.

While some types of arthritis can be genetic, other risk factors for developing arthritis include age, gender (women are more likely to have certain types of arthritis, while men are more likely to have others), a previous joint injury, and obesity. Here are the three most common forms of arthritis, how to tell the difference, and the ways health-care providers will treat it.

Osteoarthritis

Also known as "wear and tear" arthritis, osteoarthritis the most common form of arthritis. It causes cartilage—the tissue that covers the ends of bones where they form a joint—to break down to the point at which bone grinds against bone, leading to pain and stiffness. Osteoarthritis generally appears in the knees, hips, feet and spine, and can either evolve over many years or be prompted by an injury or infection.

People who have osteoarthritis experience pain, decreased range of motion, aches, pain when walking, and a feeling of stiffness that sets in after you’ve rested. Sometimes, joints like the knees even emit creaky sounds when bent.

With this form of arthritis, symptoms typically come and go. “Osteoarthritis joint pain is worse in the morning, and improves with activity as the day goes on,” says Stella Bard, MD, a rheumatologist in New York City.

If you have osteoarthritis, your healthcare provider will want you to manage your weight and stay active, which can help support and maintain the structures around the joint, says Lisa Gale Suter, MD, an associate professor of medicine specializing in rheumatology at Yale School of Medicine in New Haven, Connecticut. Physical therapy can also be helpful in teaching exercises that will help keep the muscle around that arthritic joint strong.

“If it’s your knee that’s painful, for example, you will want to be sure your quad and hamstring muscles are healthy and strong,” says Dr. Suter, “and that you have flexibility in those muscles so that the tendons and ligaments can work.” In addition, patients often take anti-inflammatory medications (such as over-the-counter pain relievers) to ease symptoms.

Rheumatoid arthritis

This common forms of arthritis is actually an autoimmune disorder. That means that the body’s immune system is targeting the lining of the joints—which, in turn, prompts inflammation in the part of the joint that protects and lubricates. Once it becomes inflamed, pain and swelling occur.

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) causes joint pain and swelling, especially in the knuckles, heels, or elbows. It also causes skin lumps, known as rheumatoid nodules, and stiffness that can last for hours or days.

After a diagnosis of RA, people may be prescribed oral medications or injections to manage their symptoms. These drugs can include corticosteroids (such as prednisone), DMARDs (an acronym for disease-modifying anti rheumatic drugs), and biologic injections to control the inflammation.

“We recommend powerful anti-inflammatories that work to change the inflammation pathways,” Dr. Suter says. But she adds one caution: “These medications carry a risk of lowering your immunity, so patients have to be particularly vigilant about infections and may need to stop medications if they become ill.”

Psoriatic arthritis

While the cause of psoriatic arthritis is not entirely clear, experts do know that it’s also an autoimmune disease that manifests in similar ways to rheumatic arthritis. The main difference is that when you have psoriatic arthritis, the skin can be involved, as well.

Between 5% and 20% of psoriasis patients will also have psoriatic arthritis. “Some patients can have it with a lot of skin disease, where the body is very covered in rashes, while others have more joint symptoms and no active skin disease,” Dr. Suter says.

Symptoms of psoriatic arthritis include pain, swelling, redness in the joints (especially in the hands), nail changes, fatigue, eye problems, skin rashes, and swelling and tenderness in fingers and feet.

To control inflammation, psoriatic arthritis patients will take similar medications as those who have RA. These include NSAIDs, DMARDs, biologics, as well as new oral treatments.

Other forms of arthritis

While osteoarthritis, RA, and psoriatic arthritis tend to be the most common forms of arthritis, there’s a long list of other types of arthritis. These include bursitis, carpal tunnel syndrome, gout, Raynaud’s phenomenon, and ankylosing spondylitis, according to the Arthritis Foundation. Other conditions—such as Lyme disease, lupus, fibromyalgia, and inflammatory bowel disease—can also include arthritis as one component of a more complex illness.

Arthritis usually occurs in adults, and advanced age is a risk factor for many different types. But children can also get a rare type of arthritis known as childhood or juvenile arthritis.

Because inflammation of the joints can be caused by so many different conditions, it’s important to see a doctor if you’re experiencing pain and stiffness. A primary-care physician is a good first step, or you may be referred to a rheumatologist who can help diagnose and treat your specific joint problems.

https://news.yahoo.com/most-common-types-arthritis-risk-160400801.html

8 Ways to Make Life With Arthritis Easier

From newsmax.com/health

                                                                      (Marco Ugarte/AP)

A staggering 54.5 million Americans suffer from some type of arthritis which, as it progresses, can make everyday tasks challenging.

"When you have arthritis, interacting with objects in your home, garden, and office can be frustrating and painful," Lene Andersen MSW, who suffers from rheumatoid arthritis, tells Newsmax. The Toronto-based patient expert offers these tips on how to handle daily tasks with a little help from handy, helpful products.

Jar openers. "When you can't open that jar of jam, baby food or pickles for lunch, it's enough to make you cry," says Andersen. A low-tech piece solution is to use a piece of rubber to grip the lid, or you can buy an adaptable jar opener.

Replace doorknobs with lever handles.

Reachers. These handy devices use tongs to help you with everything from manoeuvring stubborn buttons to picking up items from the floor or overhead. Often called "reacher grabbers," they are indispensable for those with arthritis or other disabilities. They are available at Amazon and other retail outlets including medical supply and drugstores.

Voice recognition software. "If you have trouble typing, voice recognition software can help you at home and at the office," says the expert. Using this software and a microphone, all you have to do is say your commands and the computer obeys. An example is Dragon Speech Recognition.

Pen grips. Writing can be painful when you aggravate the small joints of your hand. Placing your pen or pencil inside a cushion or pen grip reduces the strain on your hand. These products can be found online or in office supply stores.

E-books and audiobooks. While books can be a wonderful escape, if your hands, shoulders, and neck hurt when you hold them, what you love can cause pain says Andersen. E-book readers and tablets can make life much easier.

Occupation therapy. The American Occupational Therapy Association website has a number of resources and tip sheets to download about how occupational therapy can help you identify which tools may improve function.

Talk to others. "One of your best resources for tips on how to make life easier is to talk with other people in the same situation," says Andersen. "For example, one of my friends suggested washing the bathtub with a mop, saving me from having to kneel, bend over and reach."

https://www.newsmax.com/health/health-news/aging-homemaking-prescription-joint/2019/05/20/id/916870/

How Exercise Can Lower a Woman’s Risk for Rheumatoid Arthritis

From healthline.com/health-news

Researchers say regular exercise can lower a woman’s risk for RA and benefit women who have the painful condition.

Exercise can often be a double-edged sword for people living with rheumatoid arthritis (RA).
On one hand, a certain degree of physical activity is encouraged for people dealing with the sometimes debilitating condition.
On the other hand, many people with RA feel that most types of workouts are too difficult or painful given their symptoms.
“I know I feel better if I exercise,” Laura Davidson, a Michigan resident with RA, told Healthline. “But at the same time I know it could also make me more sore. I feel like I’d be healthier if I moved more and maybe eventually have less pain. But the fear of hurting myself or causing a flare-up holds me back.”

Davidson isn’t alone in this sentiment.

However, a new study does show that exercise can benefit women who have RA. Perhaps as important, researchers say exercise can be a preventive measure against the disease.
The study, which was published in the medical journal Arthritis & Rheumatology, concluded that women with a higher level of physical activity may have a reduced risk for eventually developing RA.
This was determined by first looking at their baseline level of physical activity in the two to eight years leading up to their RA diagnosis.

The participants of the study were part of the Nurse’s Health Study II. The study was conducted from 1989 through 2015. It included information on 116,430 registered nurses in the United States. These nurses were 25 to 42 years old at the time of the study.
The researchers analysed the data of 113,366 of the women after excluding those who had baseline RA or any other connective tissue diseases.
The researchers discovered there were 506 cases of RA during the follow-up period. After adjusting for diet, smoking, and BMI at age 18 years, they found that an increase in the average total hours of physical activity per week was associated with a lower risk of developing RA.

The conclusion of the study showed the effects of physical activity on RA and the general importance of some daily physical activity for everyone. More active individuals had a 20 percent lower risk for seropositive RA and a 14 percent reduced risk for all forms of RA.
Researchers indicated that higher levels of physical activity and reduced excess weight were associated with reduced risk of RA. They also found that sitting for longer periods of time could be detrimental for RA symptoms.

Rheumatoid arthritis and exercise

Although this study focused on women, this isn’t the first time a positive correlation between exercise and RA has been discussed.
Earlier this year, a study was published on the benefits of yoga for arthritis. The Arthritis Foundation has also shared information from multiple studies showing that HIIT (high-intensity interval training) can be beneficial for people living with RA.

However, Kindle Fisher, a certified American College of Sports Medicine health and fitness specialist who’s worked rehabbing patients through physical therapy, massage therapy, and personal training, explained that not all workouts have to be intense if you have RA.
“Many individuals who suffer from RA worry that exercise will cause more joint damage and pain. But exercise can help lubricate the joints and strengthen the muscles surrounding the affected joints. In a flare, gentle light exercise, such as walking, swimming, or cycling, would be the most beneficial,” she told Healthline.

Fisher adds there are multiple benefits to exercise for people living with a chronic illness or chronic pain condition.
“Exercise can also boost your mood and mental health. This becomes important to anyone suffering from RA. It can become frustrating that some days are unbearable while others are tolerable. Increased blood flow promotes healing, so the more you move, the better you feel,” she said.
“My body feels pretty good — knock on wood — most of the time, so I may not be the same as a lot of people with RA,” Jess Z., a Pennsylvania resident, told Healthline. “But I do feel healthier and stronger in general when I routinely work out. When I do feel sluggish or have RA issues, I don’t have the push or desire to exercise. But I don’t think it makes my RA worse by working out. I’ve never really worked out and hurt the next day from it.
“When I’m actively exercising, I do it for 30 minutes to an hour. I do wonder, even though I feel fine from working out, if it is doing some minor damage to the joints/bones that I just don’t know, since I do still have RA,” she said.

https://www.healthline.com/health-news/exercise-can-help-women-with-rheumatoid-arthritis#Rheumatoid-arthritis-and-exercise