Active Living With Rheumatoid Arthritis Tips
Tips to help you and your family deal with the challenges of Rheumatoid Arthritis.
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Expert Q & A
Our expert team of doctors and pharmacists answer questions about Rheumatoid Arthritis.
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Understanding Rheumatoid Arthritis
Our expert team of doctors and pharmacists receive many questions about Rheumatoid Arthritis. Many of these questions are from individuals seeking information about Rheumatoid Arthritis treatment, as well as dietary and lifestyle changes thay can make to improve their Rheumatoid Arthritis symptoms. The following questions deal with Rheumatoid Arthritis treatments, lifestyle changes, and dietary advice. Click on the questions below to see the answers.
My 12-year-old son was recently diagnosed with juvenile rheumatoid arthritis. His doctor said that it's different from adult rheumatoid arthritis, which I was diagnosed with at 45, but I can't remember her explanation. How is juvenile rheumatoid arthritis different from adult rheumatoid arthritis?
I've been following my doctor's recommendations regarding lifestyle changes that might help to improve my rheumatoid arthritis symptoms: quitting smoking, losing weight, and exercising. My symptoms have definitely gotten better! So now I'm wondering about diet. Does diet play a role in rheumatoid arthritis symptoms? If so, what dietary changes can I make to reduce my RA symptoms?
My doctor wants to test me for rheumatoid factor because she thinks my joint pain may be caused by rheumatoid arthritis. What is rheumatoid factor? How does it relate to rheumatoid arthritis?
A friend of mine who is a nurse noticed the small bumps I have on my wrists and said that they looked like rheumatoid nodules and that I should talk to my doctor about them. What are rheumatoid nodules? How can I tell if I have them?
I'm considering gastric bypass surgery, in part because I've heard that it can improve rheumatoid arthritis symptoms. Is this true? Does gastric bypass surgery have an impact on rheumatoid arthritis?
I've recently been experiencing mild pain and stiffness in my hands. My mother has rheumatoid arthritis, so naturally, I'm concerned that I might have it too. What are some of the early symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis?
My jaw frequently clicks and pops and, occasionally, is very painful. A friend told me that it could mean that I have rheumatoid arthritis. Is that true? How is jaw pain related to rheumatoid arthritis?
I was recently diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis. An acquaintance of mine who also has the disease has talked in the past about her rheumatoid arthritis "flares." I never understood the term but, out of respect for her privacy, I never asked her to explain it. Now that I have the disease, I'd like to know if it is something I should expect. What are rheumatoid arthritis flares?
I've recently been experiencing night sweats. Sometimes they are so bad that I wake up with my pillow completely soaked! A friend who has rheumatoid arthritis told me that it could be an early sign of the disease. Is that true? Are night sweats a sign of rheumatoid arthritis?
Written by/reviewed by:
Last reviewed by: Arthur Schoenstadt, MD