Rheumatoid Arthritis Slideshow Pictures Take the RA Quiz Understanding Lupus Slideshow Pictures

Medical Author:

William C. Shiel Jr., MD, FACP, FACR

William C. Shiel Jr., MD, FACP, FACR

Dr. Shiel received a Bachelor of Science degree with honors from the University of Notre Dame. There he was involved in research in radiation biology and received the Huisking Scholarship. After graduating from St. Louis University School of Medicine, he completed his Internal Medicine residency and Rheumatology fellowship at the University of California, Irvine. He is board-certified in Internal Medicine and Rheumatology.

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Medical Editor:

Melissa Conrad Stöppler, MD, Chief Medical Editor

Melissa Conrad Stöppler, MD, Chief Medical Editor

Melissa Conrad Stöppler, MD, is a U.S. board-certified Anatomic Pathologist with subspecialty training in the fields of Experimental and Molecular Pathology. Dr. Stöppler's educational background includes a BA with Highest Distinction from the University of Virginia and an MD from the University of North Carolina. She completed residency training in Anatomic Pathology at Georgetown University followed by subspecialty fellowship training in molecular diagnostics and experimental pathology.

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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

Arthritis Today Magazine

Web Links

American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons

American College of Rheumatology

Arthritis Foundation

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