The trusted guide to understanding and coping with rheumatoid arthritis-now completely updated and revised. Rheumatoid arthritis is an autoimmune disease in which inflammation plays a major role in causing joint problems. Warmth and swelling in the joints, along with significant stiffness and pain, can make daily life difficult. Many people with rheumatoid arthritis also experience fatigue, low-grade fever, loss of appetite, depression, and muscle aches. In the fourth edition of Living with Rheumatoid Arthritis, Tammi L. Shlotzhauer, MD, shares new findings about causes and treatments, including: * Research on risk factors and triggers, from pathologic bacteria in the digestive tract and smoking to pollutant and chemical exposure * Lifestyle and diet modifications that can help sufferers avoid potential triggers * How stress contributes to inflammation and other symptoms * Information about new targeted disease-modifying drugs * Promising research on biomarkers that may generate a personalized approach to treatment * Remarkable gains in reducing disability, hospitalizations, and surgeries Dr. Shlotzhauer, who has lived with rheumatoid arthritis since 2016 and has treated thousands of patients, is uniquely qualified to explain associated diseases such as osteoporosis. Writing with compassion and clarity, she also explains how to get an accurate diagnosis, shares tips for finding safe and reliable information online, and offers practical strategies for coping with the pain, fatigue, and emotional toll of a chronic illness.
