Arthritis is a disease that affects one in five Americans

[Guest guest]

Arthritis is a disease that affects one in five Americans

www.daytondailynews.com/dayton-ohio-jobs/jobs-news/arthritis-is-a-disease-that-a\

ffects-one-in-five-americans-798705.html

Tuesday, July 6, 2010

'Our vision is a world free of arthritis.' ?- Jodrey

Arthritis may be a lightly regarded disease by some people. That is one of

the great myths about the disease that has stricken 46 million Americans.

" I think the biggest misconception is that arthritis is just a natural part

of getting older, " said Jodrey, vice president for development of the

Ohio River Valley Chapter of the Arthritis Foundation. " I think that there

is a big public perception that arthritis is just something that impacts

older adults - that it is something to be expected as you age - and that it

is not a serious disease.

" The reality is that it impacts everyone, from children to young adults to

older adults. " Jodrey pointed out that the 46 million number - approximately

one in five people in the country - includes 300,000 children.

She added that there are at least 100 different forms of the disease. " It

goes back to the misperception that it is not serious and just something to

deal with when you get older, " she explained. " They are not aware that there

are serious auto-immune forms of the disease like rheumatoid arthritis,

lupus, fibromyalgia and some of the juvenile forms that are out there. "

Seeing a rheumatologist in the early stages of the disease is of paramount

importance - another little-known fact by the general public and even by

some health-care providers.

" A rheumatologist really specializes in the diagnosis and treatment of

arthritis diseases. They are experts in this area. They are on top of the

latest when it comes to the latest treatments or diagnostic information, "

she explained.

" In many cases, through a local rheumatologist, you can get on a treatment

program that can either help stop or slow the progression of the damage that

is being caused by arthritis.

" For many people that can mean a difference in their day-to-day quality of

life. "

She suggested that, if someone is experiencing consistent pain, stiffness or

swelling in or around any of their joints, that is the time they need to

make an appointment with a rheumatologist or talk to their health-care

provider about a referral to one.

" It's better to be proactive rather than reactive. You want to catch things

on the front end before it becomes a problem, " she said.

Jodrey said that juvenile arthritis is one of the most debilitating forms of

the disease.

" In juvenile arthritis, as in rheumatoid arthritis, the auto-immune system

is turning on itself. It is attacking the good parts of the body. Sometimes

it can manifest in your knees, your hips, your shoulders, your wrist or your

fingers. It really varies from person to person on which joints are impacted

and to what severity. "

The Arthritis Foundation has multiple resources available for both the

general public and for health-care providers.

" Any health-care professional or arthritis patient can call our support line

(800 283-7800) or they can visit www.arthritis.org. I tell people that the

Arthritis Foundation is a one-stop shop if you have arthritis. "

The contact information can answer questions about diagnosing the disease or

preventing it as well as the latest treatment.

" Maybe you want to get connected with an online support group - whatever it

is you are looking for, we are likely to have it, " Jodrey said.

Typing in your ZIP code will yield the website of the Ohio River Valley

chapter where patients can get a list of rheumatologists as well as myriad

other items of interest.

" For health-care professionals, we have a lot of great tools that you can

pass along to the patient, " she said. She mentioned Arthritis Today - a

bimonthly resource magazine that professionals can obtain a free

subscription for their waiting rooms. " It always has the latest on what is

out there to treat and manage arthritis along with great resources on

nutrition, exercise and even complementary therapies. "

Providers can also order brochures on all different forms of arthritis.

Health-care professionals can order in bulk for a small fee to cover the

cost of printing. Individuals can request the brochures without charge.

The local chapter also has lists of exercise classes in the local areas.

Ranging from aquatic to tai chi and other types of exercise. The local

chapter can also provide speakers and trainers so various facilities can

hold their own exercise classes.