All posts by Arthritis Foundation

when to go to the emergency room

Know When to Go to the Emergency Room

You’re feeling sick but your doctor is booked and the nearest urgent care center is 45 minutes away. There’s always the hospital emergency room, but your symptoms aren’t that bad. Should you just tough it out?

Figuring out how and where to handle an illness isn’t easy. It’s even harder for people with inflammatory types of arthritis, because complications related to the disease and its treatment can be serious, says Uzma Haque, MD, assistant professor of medicine at Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine in Baltimore. Here’s what she suggests:

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following best by labels on food

When to Ignore and When to Abide the “Best By” Date on Your Food

Two-week old yogurt? Milk that expired four days ago? Sardines past their “sell by” date? Is a food that has outlived its expiration date OK to eat? Chances are, it is. The dates on your groceries indicate only when a product is at peak quality, not whether it’s safe to eat, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture.

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pain free jewelry hacks

Pain-Free Jewelry Lets You Shine

A pretty piece of jewelry makes a thoughtful Mother’s Day or anytime gift. However, “the pinching motion also puts pressure on your finger joints, which can lead to pain,” says Jacqueline F. Lawrence, an occupational therapist at Lyndon B. Johnson Hospital in Houston. But you don’t need to give up your love for sparkle. Tell your partner and kids about these options: 

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preparing for natural disasters

Having a Disaster Plan Is Important When You Have Arthritis

Fires, floods, hurricanes, snowstorms, tornadoes – even just a power outage can result in a difficult, if not disastrous, situation if you aren’t prepared. In some cases, you can leave before it hits, but whether you stay or go, you should be ready, especially if your mobility is limited or you have special needs.

Having a plan also can reduce anxiety, which could trigger a flare if you have an autoimmune condition, like rheumatoid arthritis, leaving you vulnerable to injury and infection. “High stress levels make rheumatic conditions worse; having an established emergency plan can only reduce stress,” says Jennifer Hootman, PhD, an epidemiologist in the Arthritis Program at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

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