The Rheumatoid Arthritis Programme

If R.A. conjures up images of crippling pain, loss of mobility or bent-up limbs, think again. You can do so much to control this disease that it is possible to forget you have it at all. Anne Macintyre, qualified MD and fellow sufferer, explains all the treatments and options, and offers clear advice on everything from nutrition to getting dressedRheumatoid Arthritis is very different to other kinds of arthritis, being an inflammatory disease of the lining that secretes fluid into the joints rather than a degenerative condition of the bones and cartilage themselves. As such it affects over 390,000 people in the UK, 70 per cent of whom are women and about 12,000 of whom are children.Dr Anne Macintyre offers sufferers hope with her new comprehensive guide to Rheumatoid Arthritis. In it she offers a clear plan of all the things people can do to do to maintain their quality of life. It will be written in three parts comprising:1) RA, THE DISEASE: What is RA Onset and diagnosis What happens in the joints and body?
2) MANAGING RA: Drug and non-drug treatment options Dealing with flare-ups Surgery for joint deformities and pain3) COPING WITH THE LONG-TERM ILLNESS: Accepting the diagnosis Facing the challenge Nutrition Complementary therapies Environmental health Depression Becoming strong Practical issues e.g. how to dress/cook/wash with poorly functioning hands RA in children