Registration Now Open for Our 2019 Live Yes! Conference of Champions
We’ve waived registration fees and are offering limited travel awards this month only! Registration is now open for this year’s Live Yes! Conference of Champions, which will happen in Atlanta, Sept. 13-15, 2019. This exciting event will inspire and educate Arthritis Foundation volunteer leaders, partners and other supporters, as well as our most engaged Arthritis Warriors from across the country. Together, we’ll highlight the progress and impact of the Live Yes! Arthritis Network, which launched last fall, particularly in the areas arthritis patients care about most: improved physical, emotional and social health and better experiences in health care. Combining our two conferences, Arthritis ...more
It Doesn’t Have to Be Visible to Be Real
“I don’t know anyone with arthritis.” This is the most common answer we heard when we recently asked Americans: How many people do you know who are living with arthritis ? Ten years ago, Raquel Masco didn’t think she knew anyone with arthritis either. That’s when she began experiencing unusual symptoms. Searching for Answers “First, something happened to my skin. Then, my hair fell out. I had trouble swallowing. I thought maybe it was allergies, maybe it was just from being active. Then I started feeling tingling in the bottoms of my feet, my hands and pain in my back and legs. “I come from ...more
FDA Approves New Bone-Building Drug for Osteoporosis
The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) recently approved romosozumab (Evenity), a new drug for osteoporosis. Unlike osteoporosis medicines called bisphosphonates, romosozumab doesn’t just stop bone loss; it also helps build new bone. It’s approved for postmenopausal women who have fractures, are at very high risk for fractures or haven’t responded to other treatments. The drug comes with an FDA warning for an increased risk of heart attack, stroke and cardiovascular death. Osteoporosis causes bones to become increasingly fragile and prone to break, especially in the spine and hip. The risk for women is higher after menopause, when estrogen levels go down. It’s ...more
5 Global Grains to Add Healthy Variety to Your Plate
Eating fewer refined grains and more whole grains has many potential benefits, like helping lower inflammatory markers in the blood and promote weight loss. But if you’re tired of brown rice and whole wheat bread, diversify your wholegrain portfolio. These varieties from around the world pack a nutritious, flavorful punch. Farro Popular among Italian cooks, this member of the wheat family has a texture similar to brown rice but with a nuttier flavor, and it contains three times as much fiber. It contains gluten, so people with celiac disease or gluten sensitivity should leave this one on the shelf, but some say they find farro easier to digest than other forms of wheat. IN THE KITCHEN: Use farro in soups, ...more
Rose Family: Stronger Together
Early, aggressive treatment and support from the arthritis community have helped the Rose family take back control. Carson Rose was only a few months old and learning to crawl when his parents, Chrissy and Jason Rose, noticed something off in his movements. Carson avoided putting weight on his wrist and instead “army crawled” on his elbow on one side, but not the other. In hindsight, they said, this was one of the earliest signs of the polyarticular juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA) their son, now 7, would soon be diagnosed with. “Looking back, this was a red flag that we missed because we ...more
Best Foods to Eat Before, During and After Your Exercise Routine
Want to make the most of your workout? Fuel up with the right foods. “What you eat and drink can affect how you feel and how quickly you recover,” says Sonya Angelone, a San Francisco-based registered dietitian who works with athletes. Here’s her advice on what to have before, during and after exercise. Before: A pre-workout snack provides energy. Pair carbohydrates with some protein. Good options: kefir with blueberries, a fruit-and-yogurt smoothie or half a peanut butter sandwich. Steer clear of foods high in fiber and fat. They take longer to digest, which can lead to stomach problems during exercise. Have it an hour or two beforehand. Eating too much too close to your workout causes your body to reroute blood ...more
Providing a Consistent Message for OA Disease Management
The Arthritis Foundation is partnering globally with other osteoarthritis (OA)-related patient advocacy organizations to develop consistent treatment management messaging for all health care providers (HCPs) who interact with OA patients. Currently, an OA patient may see different types of HCPs, depending on the stage of their disease and their location. It’s important that primary care doctors become familiar with all OA treatment options so they can work with patients to develop the best care plans. For instance, a person may go to their primary care doctor complaining of joint pain. Depending on the severity, that doctor might suggest an over-the-counter or ...more
Revealing the Truth About Arthritis During Arthritis Awareness Month
“I don’t know many people with arthritis.” “It’s a disease that affects older people.” “Anyone can live with a little joint pain.” “Are you sure what you’re experiencing isn’t just in your head?” From coast to coast, this is what we hear about arthritis every day. Although more Americans are living with arthritis than those with breast cancer, diabetes, Alzheimer’s and autism combined, most people know very little about this debilitating disease. In fact, only 7% of Americans realize it’s the No. 1 cause of long-term disability in the United States. To celebrate Arthritis Awareness Month during May, our Let’s Get a Grip on Arthritis ...more
New Georgia Law to Prevent Unnecessary Step Therapy Actions
The Arthritis Foundation is happy to announce that the Georgia legislature passed a new law this month that will protect Georgians who are living with arthritis. The new GA law will reform step therapy. Also known as “fail first,” step therapy is a process that forces patients to try and fail drugs that insurance companies choose before the patient gets to use the medicine their doctor originally prescribed. This may occur even if you are already taking a medication and doing well on it. Our Advocates’ stories powered this success and helped Georgians like the Nealy family. They have had to endure burdensome step ...more
