All posts by Arthritis Foundation

avocado and salsa food duo

Arthritis Foods That Are Better Together

Looking for an easy, delicious way to improve your heath and arthritis? It’s all about filling your plate with the right combos. “Many nutrients have a synergistic effect. And what’s terrific is that the foods that contain these nutrients tend to taste great together,” says Joan Salge Blake, a registered dietitian and clinical associate professor at Boston University.

Here are five food duos that can supercharge your diet.

Continue reading Arthritis Foods That Are Better Together

green tea reduce arthritis inflammation

5 Drug-Free Arthritis Remedies

Finding “home remedies” for osteoarthritisrheumatoid arthritis, psoriatic arthritis and other forms of arthritis is easy. Finding effective ones is a lot harder. Few have been rigorously studied, and even remedies that perform well in trials don’t work for everyone. Here are five low-risk therapies that science shows may reduce pain and inflammation.

Continue reading 5 Drug-Free Arthritis Remedies

cold weather arthritis clothes

Beat the Chill

When the temperature drops, wearing the right clothing when you head out into the elements can ease the ache in your joints. “The best way to beat the chill is by wearing layers,” says Heidi V. Freeman, PhD, an assistant professor of kinesiology at the University of the Sciences in Philadelphia. Layering lightweight fabrics can keep you toasty with less bulk. Here’s how.

Continue reading Beat the Chill

managing arthritis on the job

Expert Tips for Managing Arthritis on the Job

For most of us, a job is more than a paycheck. It’s how we use our skills, interact with others and contribute to society. “When arthritis tests your ability to do your job, your ability to support yourself and your family – and even your feelings of self-worth – can suffer,” says Saralynn Allaire, a research professor at Boston University’s College of Health & Rehabilitation Sciences. You can thrive in the workplace, and laws will help protect your rights. Experts identify common workplace challenges and offer advice for overcoming them.

Continue reading Expert Tips for Managing Arthritis on the Job

Strength Training for People With Arthritis

“Building muscle supports and protects joints, which can increase mobility and reduce stiffness and soreness,” says Stanley Wainapel, MD, at Montefiore Medical Center in New York City. Research in The Journal of Rheumatology found that people with knee arthritis experienced 42% less pain and 44% more physical function after four months of strength training. Get started with one of these, watch videos and use Your Exercise Solution to learn about exercise modifications specific to your needs.

Continue reading Strength Training for People With Arthritis

arthritis and post-holiday depression

Bust Post-Holiday Blues

For some people, the New Year isn’t a fresh start as much as it is a time of sadness.

“The holidays are such a wonderful time with so much to do, and in the New Year that all abruptly comes to an end,” says Margaret Wehrenberg, a psychologist in Naperville, Illinois. “It can have a profound impact on your mood.”

People prone to depression – including many with arthritis – may need a doctor’s help. But if you just feel post-holiday gloom, try these strategies.

Continue reading Bust Post-Holiday Blues

drugs cold feet raynauds

Are Drugs Giving You Cold Feet?

If your fingers and toes are icy, it might not just be from winter weather. It may be due to Raynaud’s phenomenon, a condition in which hands and feet (and sometimes nose, ears or lips) overreact to cold temperatures or emotional stress. During an attack, blood vessels narrow, limiting blood flow to the skin and causing symptoms such as numbness, pain and changes in skin color.

Raynaud’s sometimes results from an injury or autoimmune disorder, such as scleroderma, rheumatoid arthritis or lupus, and doctors are likely to attribute symptoms to those conditions in patients who have them. But Raynaud’s also can be caused by certain medications – something doctors may overlook.

If you develop symptoms of Raynaud’s, ask if they might be drug-related, and review a list of your medications with your doctor. “Although the association between certain drugs and Raynaud’s is well-known, doctors may miss it,” says Donald Miller, a professor of pharmacy practice at North Dakota State University in Fargo. “You have to be your own advocate.”

Here are the top three drug classes known to increase the risk of Raynaud’s.

Continue reading Are Drugs Giving You Cold Feet?

peacekeeping preserving harmony holidays

Peace Talk: Preserving Family Harmony During the Holidays

Ever left a family holiday gathering churning with tension and swearing that, next year, you’re going somewhere far, far away? These events sometimes ratchet up anxiety and stress, which are not only unpleasant but also can undermine your health and well-being. Take heart. Here, three experts offer different approaches to help you keep the peace and ward off stress.

Continue reading Peace Talk: Preserving Family Harmony During the Holidays