Emotional Eating Can Sabotage Your Arthritis Diet

When you’re sad, stressed or your joints are aching, it might seem like digging into a pint (or half-gallon) of ice cream and not stopping till you reach the bottom will make you feel better. But that’s going to undermine your efforts to avoid inflammatory foods and weight gain. Breaking this kind of pattern may take physical or mental interventions – or both. We asked a registered dietitian and a psychologist how to break the cycle of emotional eating. Know what’s driving your hunger. “Physical hunger develops gradually and almost any food sounds good, including a chicken breast and steamed broccoli. ...more

Hot Tips for Cold Hands

Winter weather usually means two things for hands: pain and stiffness. Simply running your hands under warm water can jumpstart relief. But for longer-lasting effects, try these hot ideas.   At home. Dip sore, dry hands – even elbows and feet – in a warm paraffin bath. Not only does it ease pain, but it also helps maintain muscle strength in people with hand osteoarthritis, according to a study in Archives of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation. Bonus: It also leaves skin moisturized.   Try the Homedics ParaSpa Plus Paraffin Bath, (homedics.com) or use a microwavable mitt (hotcoldcomfort.com), which doesn’t require a lengthy heating-up period, as paraffin baths do.   On the go. When a microwaveable mitt or paraffin bath is impractical, try hand warmers like HotHands Hand Warmers (available at ...more

Fighting Arthritis Inflammation With an Anti-Inflammatory Diet

National Nutrition Month is a month-long awareness campaign that centers on the significance of making proper lifestyle and nutrition selections and improving eating habits. The Arthritis Foundation, in collaboration with our Let’s Get a Grip on Arthritis campaign partner, Cheribundi, recently conducted a nutrition survey to better understand the nutritional information needs of arthritis patients and identify any gaps in knowledge they may have. Results show that 86 percent of respondents think nutrition has an impact on their arthritis. The top five foods selected as good for arthritis were blueberries, extra virgin olive oil, fatty fish, broccoli and tart cherry juice. ...more

Join the Live Yes! Arthritis Network and Live Your Best Life!

Join the Live Yes! Arthritis Network and Live Your Best Life!The Live Yes! Arthritis Network connects you to your best life through a powerful network of support for registered members. While each person’s experience with arthritis is different, we want to make sure you have the right information and support you need to live life to the fullest. Registration to the network is free and will allow you to access a vast array of robust resources, such as: Downloadable Tip Booklets These premium content booklets are designed to give practical tips on popular subjects and make each day easier while managing your ...more

Pillow Talk

Is arthritis putting a chill on your love life? Learn  how to rekindle the fire and why it’s worth the effort.   Joint pain and arthritis-related issues can force new approaches to sexual intimacy. Motivation tends to deteriorate along with mobility. Research indicates that it’s common for sexual activity to ebb as discomfort and stiffness increase, says Maureen K. Watkins, an assistant professor of physical therapy, movement and rehabilitation sciences at Northeastern University in Boston.   Not only can sex can be painful for patients, but partners may hold back for fear of inflicting hurt. Sexual activity is often considered an essential part of a well-balanced life and, thus, worth redefining and committing to, say health care professionals and people ...more

FIVE GREAT HABITS FOR A HEALTHIER 2019

Changes don’t have to be difficult or dramatic to make a difference.  There is no time like the present to adopt good habits that can improve your health and happiness for the long term.   Eat healthfully. “Eat, drink and be merry” is a recipe for unwanted pounds and health problems down the road. A 2017 study that examined the yearly weight patterns of 3,000 people in the U.S., Germany and Japan found small yet significant increases during holidays. Instead of resolving to lose weight at the beginning of a new year, resolve not to gain it in the first place. Even small amounts can add up over time, increasing stress on joints. And excess body fat and unhealthy food choices can fuel inflammation ...more

Take Action to #AdvocateforArthritis

2019 Advocacy Summit Social Campaign Kerry Wong Platinum Ambassador Did you know that the Empowered to Live Yes! Advocacy Summit is taking place in Washington, DC this March 11-12? There, our Advocates and Ambassadors will gather together to be the voice for arthritis on Capitol Hill. We’re calling on you to help amplify the impact of our in-person meetings with legislators by participating virtually in our #AdvocateforArthritis social media campaign on Tuesday, March 12. Staci Penner Platinum Ambassador On Tuesday, March 12  our 2019 Advocacy Summit participants will be on Capitol Hill to meet their elected officials and their staff in person ...more

Deadline Fast Approaching for JA Conference Travel Awards!

Year after year, the Arthritis Foundation’s National Juvenile Arthritis Conference has brought kids with rheumatic diseases and their families together for a weekend full of education, inspiration and connecting with others on a similar journey. For many families, it may not be feasible to plan for a weekend conference that, depending on where you may live, might include extensive travel. The Arthritis Foundation is pleased to offer limited financial assistance to families wishing to attend the JA Conference who meet certain criteria. 2019 JA Conference Travel Award applications close tomorrow, February 26. FAQ’s: How long does it take to complete a Travel ...more

Patients Help Improve Mobile Clinical Trial Designs

The Clinical Trials Transformation Initiative (CTTI) recently released new recommendations and resources for engaging patients and research sites when planning and conducting clinical trials that use mobile technologies. “Very little was known about patients’ and sites’ perspectives until our work shed light on what they see as significant benefits and barriers,” says Pamela Tenaerts, CTTI executive director. “Our new recommendations account for these perspectives and provide a valuable resource for optimally deploying mobile clinical trials.” CTTI conducted surveys and in-depth interviews to better understand the viewpoints of patients and clinical investigators. They convened experts and leaders across the clinical trials enterprise to ...more

Arthritis 101 Hill Briefing Introduces a New Congress to Arthritis and the Military

On February 13, 2019, dozens of Capitol Hill staffers joined the Arthritis Foundation, the American College of Rheumatology and other patient organizations for a special Arthritis 101 briefing on arthritis and the military. Approximately one in every three U.S. veterans has doctor-diagnosed arthritis, while the general population stands at one in four, about 25 percent. The second leading cause of medical discharge from the military is arthritis. Service members endure rigorous training exercises on a regular basis, carrying upwards of 70 pounds of gear on their backs. Over time, this physical strain on their joints begins to cause aches and pains ...more