Tammi L. Shlotzhauer, MD, a retired rheumatologist who practiced at Rheumatology Associates of Rochester, is the former associate medical director at Rochester Clinical Research.
Description
The trusted guide to understanding and coping with rheumatoid arthritis-now completely updated and revised. Rheumatoid arthritis is an autoimmune disease in which inflammation plays a major role in causing joint problems. Warmth and swelling in the joints, along with significant stiffness and pain, can make daily life difficult. Many people with rheumatoid arthritis also experience fatigue, low-grade fever, loss of appetite, depression, and muscle aches. In the fourth edition of Living with Rheumatoid Arthritis, Tammi L. Shlotzhauer, MD, shares new findings about causes and treatments, including: * Research on risk factors and triggers, from pathologic bacteria in the digestive tract and smoking to pollutant and chemical exposure * Lifestyle and diet modifications that can help sufferers avoid potential triggers * How stress contributes to inflammation and other symptoms * Information about new targeted disease-modifying drugs * Promising research on biomarkers that may generate a personalized approach to treatment * Remarkable gains in reducing disability, hospitalizations, and surgeries Dr. Shlotzhauer, who has lived with rheumatoid arthritis since 2016 and has treated thousands of patients, is uniquely qualified to explain associated diseases such as osteoporosis. Writing with compassion and clarity, she also explains how to get an accurate diagnosis, shares tips for finding safe and reliable information online, and offers practical strategies for coping with the pain, fatigue, and emotional toll of a chronic illness.
Preface Acknowledgments Introduction: Defining Rheumatoid Arthritis Part I: Learning about Rheumatoid Arthritis 1. The Joints and Rheumatoid Arthritis 2. The Course and Prognosis of Rheumatoid Arthritis 3. Diagnosing Rheumatoid Arthritis: Why So Many Tests? 4. Outside the Joints: Other Symptoms of Rheumatoid Arthritis Part II: Coping with Rheumatoid Arthritis 5. Lifestyle and Coping Strategies 6. Coping with Pain and Fatigue 7. Coping with Emotions: Yours and Everyone Else's Part III: Exercise and Rehabilitation 8. Protecting Your Joints 9. Exercise and Rheumatoid Arthritis 10. Specific Exercises Part IV: Medications 11. Medications Past, Present, Future 12. Nonsteroidal Anti-inflammatory Drugs (NSAIDs) 13. Conventional Disease-Modifying Antirheumatic Drugs (cDMARDs) 14. Biotherapies: The Biologics or bDMARDs 15. Targeted Synthetic DMARDs 16. Corticosteroids Part V: Beyond Medications: Other Treatments 17. Alternative and Complementary Therapies 18. Nutrition: Diets, Nutrients, and Nutritional Supplements 19. Surgery for Rheumatoid Arthritis Part VI: Practical Matters 20. Disability Benefits, Insurance, and Other Financial Matters 21. Other Concerns Closing Thoughts Glossary Bibliography Index