Arthritis (cont.)
IN THIS ARTICLE
- Arthritis Overview
- Arthritis Causes
- Arthritis Symptoms
- When to Seek Medical Care
- Questions to Ask the Doctor
- Exams and Tests
- Arthritis Treatment
- Self-Care at Home
- Medical Treatment
- Medications
- Surgery
- Other Therapy
- Next Steps
- Follow-up
- Arthritis Prevention
- Outlook
- Support Groups and Counseling
- For More Information
- Web Links
- Synonyms and Keywords
- Author and Editor
- Viewer Comments: Arthritis - Effective Treatments
Support Groups and Counseling
Minimizing emotional stress can help improve the overall health of the patient with arthritis. Support and extracurricular groups afford patients time to discuss their problems with others and learn more about their illness.
The Arthritis Foundation is the only national voluntary health organization whose purpose is directed solely to all forms of arthritis. The Arthritis Foundation has national and international programs involving support for scientific research, public information and education for affected patients and their families, training of specialists, public awareness, and local community assistance. Local branch chapters of the Arthritis Foundation serve to disseminate information about arthritis and rheumatic diseases as well as functioning as referral centers. Moreover, many of the various forms of arthritis have their own foundations that serve as information and referral resources for local communities.
Patients and families should ask their health-care practitioners for additional local support group and counseling options.
For More Information
Web Links
American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons
American College of Rheumatology
Synonyms and Keywords
joint disorder, joint pain, joint inflammation, arthralgia, rheumatic diseases, joint disease, inflammation of the joints, joint stiffness, joint swelling, joint redness, joint warmth, inflamed joint, joint deformity, rheumatic illness, rheumatic conditions, arthropathy, osteoarthritis, arthritis medications, rheumatoid warning signs
Author and Editor
Author: William C. Shiel Jr., MD, FACP, FACR
Editor: Melissa Conrad Stöppler, MD, Chief Medical Editor, eMedicineHealth.com
Last Editorial Review: 1/9/2008
Viewer Comments & Reviews
Arthritis - Effective Treatments
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Rheumatoid Arthritis »
Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a chronic systemic inflammatory disease of unknown cause that primarily affects the peripheral joints in a symmetric pattern.
