Abstract
This paper addresses the question of whether the management of arthritis can be facilitated by nutrition instead of a reliance on conventional medication. The paper defines the various types of arthritic conditions and lists their associated symptoms. The paper then describes traditional methods of managing arthritis through medication, including the negative effects of medication. The author contrasts traditional management with management through nutrition as an alternative. Relevant literature is cited supporting the use of nutrition. The author concludes that while no cure exists for arthritis, there are numerous studies and experiential reports of that show the importance of diet and nutrition in combating the symptoms of this disease.

Outline:
Introduction
Nutrition and Arthritis
Nutrition versus Medication
Nutrition as an Alternative
Conclusion

From the Paper
"Each of the above categories provides a slightly different set of symptoms. More importantly, each major form of this disease necessitates different treatment processes and management strategies; as well as a variable dependence on drugs and medication. However, in the overview of the place of nutrition in treatment and management in this paper, the role of nutrition will be dealt with in a genera sense to cover all the forms of arthritis and refer to the specific types where applicable. "

Tags:arthritis, nutrition, disease, diet

Abstract
This paper presents the writer's personal reflection of two articles on rheumatoid arthritis and how these articles relate to her profession as a nurse. The two articles reviewed are "Decreasing Pain and Depression in a Health Promotion Program for People with Rheumatoid Arthritis" by H. Oh and W. Seo and "Benefit-finding among People with Rheumatoid arthritis in Japan" by M. Sato, Y, Yamazaki, M. Sakita, and T.J. Bryce.

From the Paper
"Living with RA entails psychological and sociological consequences. RA patients may have difficulty in functioning socially, have limited ability to partake with social activities, and may even have sexual dysfunctions. Patients tend to feel incapacitated; this leads to poor outlook and depression. On the other hand, it has been reported that people suffering from a chronic illness have the ability to have a positive outlook in spite of his disability. The article calls this benefit finding (BF). This is further defined as having a positive perception of one's self, change in life priorities, and improved appreciation of life, good interpersonal relationships, and positive behavioral changes. It has been found that increased BF improves one's health psychologically. This study aimed to discover the factors that encourage BF among RA patients in Japan. The study involved 364 persons with RA aged 20 to 59 years and were made to answer questionnaires to assess factors associated with BF. It has been found that patients who have been diagnosed with RA for at least 15 years, were female, had been unemployed, have suffered chronic pain, and did not have a source of emotional support had the highest BF scores. The most common type of BF involved "developing compassion towards others" and "an appreciation of things not previously important." One surprising finding in this study was that only 7.4% of the participants reported having ever received emotional support from medical staff. The study also found that patients with RA that have developed self-care skills that enable them to have higher BF scores. Therefore, living an RA may not have negative consequences, as long as patients are able to adapt to their situation appropriately."

Tags:chronic, illness, arthritis, pain, management

Abstract
The media are filled with advertisements for spas and health clubs that include massage therapy among their programs. For people who want to relax and be pampered, that is fine. For arthritis sufferers, however, massage therapy performed by registered nurses offers significant relief from painful arthritis symptoms and helps lead to a better quality of life.

Tags:arthritis, massage, therapy

Abstract
This paper discusses the autoimmune disease rheumatoid arthritis, its causes, signs and symoptoms. The paper also describes the pathophysiology of the disease and treatment options. Also included are reviews of several research studies and a case history of a patient with RA.

From the Paper
"Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is an autoimmune disease causing chronic inflammation of the joints. (Arthritis Shiel) It can also cause inflammation of tissues surrounding the joints and affects other organs of the body. Symptoms of RA come and go, depending on the amount of inflammation and the disease can be active for a while and then go into remission for a while. When the disease is active, symptoms include fatigue, loss of appetite, muscle and joint pain and aches, stiffness and low grade fever. Joints may become swollen red..."

Tags:rheumatoid arthritis, drugs, surgery, inflammation, patient, disease

Abstract
This paper discusses the proposed role of the family nurse practitioner in the provision of complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) to patients with rheumatoid arthritis, particularly chiropractic body manipulation. It is emphasized that this should be presented to the patient with caution and should be considered, due to the lack of clinical evidence, a complementary, palliative option.

From the Paper
"The role of the family nurse practitioner is the provision of nursing care in the context of advanced nursing practices, which have come to include the diagnosis and treatment of some diseases as well as the palliation of others' suffering. Rheumatoid arthritis remains a challenging disease to treat and manage due to its chronic course. Although remissions can occur, rebounds can likewise occur, making this disease a lifelong one. In this light, it is quite understandable that some patients may express discontent over their current disease management and opt to experiment with unconventional therapies in parallel with (complementary) or in place of (alternative) current medical practices. As for allopathic practitioners, there is an inherent bias against chiropractic referral."

Tags:cam, rheumatoid, arthritis

Abstract
This paper discusses arthritis and how it relates to the elderly individual. The paper discusses risk factors, treatment, why it is a problem, and what needs to be done. It includes citations and scholarly references.

Outline
Introduction
Why This Is an Issue/Problem
Predisposing Risk Factors
Treatment, Solution, Intervention
Review of the Current Literature
Summary and Conclusions

From the Paper
"Arthritis is a very debilitating condition. "Arthritis is second only to heart disease as a cause of work disability (Arthritis Foundation 2004)." Arthritis is a systemic joint disease. The "arth" part of the word means "joint"-not muscle, tendon, ligament, or bone. The "itis" part means "inflamed." Thus, true arthritis affects the joints, and the affected joints are inflamed-red, warm, swollen, or tender when squeezed.(Taibi & Bourguignon 2003)"

Tags:adult, arthritis, elderly, gerontology, massage, medical, older

Abstract
The purpose of this paper is to introduce, discuss, and analyze the disease of arthritis. Specifically, the paper discusses the differences between osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis, and their commonalities. The writer notes that, although there are many types of arthritis, these two are the most common. Both of these forms of arthritis can be debilitating and painful. The writer points out that they can also lead to other complications, such as surgery and continued medication for pain. Arthritis is serious because it cannot be cured, only treated, and because it affects so many Americans and their daily lives. The writer concludes that arthritis should be a top research priority in America, because curing or preventing the disease could make a real difference in so many people's lives. One of the source articles used is appended to the paper.

From the Paper
"The symptoms of the disease include stiffness after remaining in one position for a long time (such as sitting or sleeping), a sound of bone rubbing on bone or crunching when the bone is used, swelling or pain in the joint, and tenderness in the joint. Anti-inflammatory drugs, along with mild exercise and even re-alignment of misaligned joints, can treat osteoarthritis. Topical treatments, such as creams and hot and cold packs can also be effective in many cases. X-rays are the most common way to confirm a diagnosis of osteoarthritis, but a doctor may order joint aspiration in cases that are more difficult to diagnose. Often, the most effective treatment for this form of arthritis is surgery to replace the damaged joints. It is the most common reason most Americans undergo hip and knee surgery, and most patients report success and far less pain in those joints after surgery."
"Rheumatoid arthritis does not have as many sufferers as osteoarthritis, and it has different symptoms and treatments. This form of the disease can actually affect other areas of the body, such as the blood supply and lungs, and it is actually causes by inflammation of the joint lining, which causes loss of movement, pain, and swelling."

Tags:joints, cartilage, pain, bones

Abstract
This paper explains that the Orthopedic approach states that gouty arthritis is a systemic inflammatory illness (PMR), which is a synovitis of the large proximal joints, although more distal joints also can be involved. The author points out that, in the Orthopedic approach, physical therapy is useful because patients' residual "stiffness" is more often mechanical rather than inflammatory in nature. The paper relates that the Renal approach states that an excess of uric acid in the body causes gout; this excess can be caused by an increase in production by the body, by under-eliminating of uric acid by the kidneys or by increased intake of foods containing purines that are metabolized to uric acid in the body.

Table of Contents
Introduction and Thesis of the Investigation
The Onset of Gout and a Brief Glimpse at the History of the Disease
A Brief History of Gouty Arthritis from the Viewpoint of Orthopedics
Epidemiology
Pathophysiology
Clinical Features
Some Treatments
Alternative Treatment
The Other Side of the Gouty Arthritis Argument
What is Gout or Gouty Arthritis?
This Group's Causes for the Disease
What are the Symptoms of Gout from their Viewpoint?
How is Gouty Arthritis Diagnosed?
Gout and Hyperuricemia
Risk Factors for Gouty Arthritis
Conditions and Concerns in the Treatment of Gouty Arthritis
With Knowledge of Both Sides of the Issue, What One Can Do?

From the Paper
"Bruce first described polymyalgia rheumatica in 1888 when he reported on five senior patients with a proximal muscular syndrome that he called "senile rheumatic gout." The syndrome next appeared under the name "humeroscapular periathrosis," in 1945 and later as "anarthritic rheumatoid arthritis." Bagratuni coined this latter term because he felt that such patients had a forme fruste of rheumatoid arthritis. Two of the 50 patients he reported went on to develop rheumatoid arthritis and 8 others had transient swelling of various joints. He felt that the term anarthritic rheumatoid arthritis was more appropriate than polymyalgia rheumatica coined by Barber in 1957. Finally, Healey has furthered the concept of PMR as a systemic articular disease by describing variant forms of PMR that he calls benign synovitis."

Tags:corticosteroids, purines, supplements, joints, diet

Abstract
This paper discusses the effect of rheumatoid arthritis on the daily living of a patient. It describes the symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis and how it presents. The paper then focuses on the impact of exercise and mood on the severity of the disease and discusses the importance of ensuring enough exercise and positive mood for patients with the disease.

Table of Contents:
Review Of The Literature
Introduction to Rheumatoid Arthritis
Importance of Exercise for Individuals with Rheumatoid Arthritis
RA & ADL

From the Paper
"Patients with better mood "showed lower disease activity after one year of observation as compared with those with worse mood. As well as several reports relating diseases and mood, mental status has also been reported to affect immuno-regulatory systems. Chronic depression or chronic stress conditions lead to immuno-suppressive status and imbalance in corticotrophin-releasing hormone, which induces cancer and hyperthyroidism. It has been reported that depressive states induce suppression of mitogenic reaction in lymphocytes, decreases the number and activity of natural killer cells and decreases the production of interferon." Sadamoto, Ogawa, Ogura and Saito, 2006) The work of Gray (nd) entitled: "What Feature of Rheumatoid Arthritis are Hard to Cope with Psychologically and What Strategies Might be Helpful in Coping?" identifies the features of RA which are hard to psychologically cope with and explores the relationships between those features and negative psychological outcomes. The following figure shows the percentages of the disease symptoms and how the ability of those with RA are affected in coping."

Tags:RA, ADL, chronic, joints

Abstract
This paper explains that, previously considered a benign disabling illness, rheumatoid arthritis is now recognized as a cause of increased mortality due to the systemic effects of peri-cardial disease, interstitial lung disease and systemic vasculitis. The author points out that the differentiation of rheumatoid arthritis from other rheumatic diseases can be difficult; however, certain clinical features, such as joint inflammation and the number and specific joint sites affected can help indicate if the diagnosis should be RA. The paper relates that the etiology of rheumatoid arthritis is still unknown but there is some indication that a common virus or bacterium might serve as a triggering event; however, there is still no evidence to implicate a specific infectious agent.

From the Paper
"Joint inflammation is characteristically polyarticular, symmetrical, and in severe cases may be warm and erythematous. Joints involved in Rheumatoid Arthritis include proximal interphalangeal, metacarpophalangeal (MCP), the wrist, elbow, knee, and ankle. Rheumatoid nodules, an aggregate of inflammatory cells surrounding a center of cellular debris, can occur on the extensor surfaces of the elbows or fingers. A poorer prognosis is likely for patients who experienced onset at an early age and who have elevated erythrocyte sedimentation rates and high levels of rheumatoid factor and swelling of more than 20 joints."

Tags:gout, splints, surgery, synovium, progressive