arthritis 101 arthritis information line 1-800-321-1433 (ext. 1) [email protected]
TRANSCRIPT
Arthritis 101
Arthritis Information line 1-800-321-1433 (ext. 1)
www.arthritis.ca
Program Overview
• Arthritis Information
• Becoming a Self-Manager
• Community Resources and Tools
Arthritis Information
Arthritis means inflammation of a joint.
Symptoms include:
• Pain• Stiffness• Occasional swelling• Difficulty moving a joint• Joint damage
Dispelling Arthritis Myths
MYTH 1: Arthritis is just aches and painsFACT: Arthritis causes severe joint pain and
damage
MYTH 2: Arthritis is a disease of the elderlyFACT: Arthritis can strike anyone at anytime
MYTH 3: Arthritis is not a costly diseaseFACT: Arthritis costs $6.4 billion in labour
market and healthcare costs annually
You Are Not Alone!
• Affects one in six Canadians• More women than men are affected• Juvenile arthritis affects those under the age of 16• More than 100 different types• A cure has yet to be found
Joint Points
• Cartilage is 65-85% water
• Pressure on our knees is 10X our body weight when we run
• No man-made substance is a better shock absorber than cartilage
Impact of Arthritis
• Difficulty with daily tasks
• Stress
• Disability
Limiting the Impact
Early diagnosis, self-management and treatment can help you take control of your disease and avoid serious joint damage.
Early Warning Signs
• Pain in your joints for six weeks or more
• Morning stiffness or trouble moving joints upon waking
• Swelling to any of your joints
• Pain that interferes with your work and/or daily activities
Categories
There are two main categories of arthritis:
Inflammatory Degenerative
Rheumatoid arthritis
Psoriatic arthritis
Ankylosing spondylitis
Systemic lupus erythematosus
Osteoarthritis (OA)
Degenerative disc disease
Carpel tunnel syndrome
Inflammatory Arthritis
• Rheumatoid Arthritis • Autoimmune disease• Extreme fatigue• Unusual stiffness• Pain and swelling • Restricted movement• Tends to be symmetrical
Risk Factors - Inflammatory
• Age (often starts age 30 – 60)• Family history• Gender (female)• Trigger (viral or environmental)• Smoking
Diagnosis - Inflammatory
• Personal medical history• Family history• Joint examination• Blood tests• X-rays
Degenerative Arthritis
• Osteoarthritis• Affects 1 in 10 people• Degeneration of cartilage• Pain and stiffness• Decreased range of motion • Tends to be asymmetrical
Risk Factors - Degenerative
• Age
• Family history
• Excess weight
• Joint injury
• Other types of arthritis
Diagnosis - Degenerative
• Personal medical history• Family history• Joint examination• Rule out other types • X-rays - changes are visible
Let’s review I or D?
Usually starts in middle age (30 – 60 years)
Osteoarthritis
An autoimmune disease
Progresses slowly, getting worse over a period of years
D
I
I
D
Inflammatory or Degenerative?
Inflammatory or Degenerative?
Let’s review I or D?
Affects fewer joints and tends to be asymmetrical
Rheumatoid arthritis
Pain and swelling in weight-bearing joints such as knees and hips
Requires a trigger – viral or environmental
Tends to occur in joints subject to wear and tear by excessive use
D
I
D
I
D
How Arthritis is Managed
• Nutrition• Physical activity• Medications• Self-Management• Surgery
Becoming a Self-Manager
We are all responsible for managing our own health!
Self-Management
Self-Managers…
• Take control• Work in partnership• Make decisions• Make sure it gets
done!
Self-Management
Key elements of self-management
• Communication• Physical activity• Nutrition• Treatment• Joint protection
The key to success in any undertaking is first learning a set of skills and then practicing them until they have been mastered
Arthritis Self-Management Program (ASMP)1-800-321-1433
Communication
Your arthritis health care team
The more you know about your disease, the more control you have and the better you will feel!
Communication
Can explain the medications your doctor prescribes
Most likely the first person you will talk to about your arthritis
Can providing counseling on finances, employment, family & general coping
Arthritis specialist
Who’s who on the team?
Pharmacist
Rheumatologist
Family physician
Social worker
Communication
Takes your history, reviews your symptoms and takes vitals before the Dr. sees you
Performs your hip replacement
Suggests specific exercises and therapiesRecommends ways to modify your activities to reduce pain, fatigue and improve function
Who’s who on the team?
Nurse
Orthopedic surgeon
Occupational therapist
Physical therapist
Communication
Who’s missing?
Let’s brainstorm who’s missing from this list:
• Nutritionist• Massage Therapist
Communication
Your family and friends
• Know how to communicate your needs to family and friends. • Let them know when you need help and when to allow you your independence.
Communication
Your co-workers and employer
We’ll help your co-workers and employer learn more about the disease to ensure success in the workplace.
Communication
Putting your pain into words
Being able to describe your pain helps your health care team diagnose and help you.
Here are some examples of words to describe pain:
• Deep• Sharp and throbbing• Dull• Pins and needles• Shooting
Let’s work together as a group to expand this list.
Physical Activity
The revolution in treatment is physical activity
Pain causes activity
function and quality of life
Physical activity makes sense
• Reduces stress and promotes relaxation
• Improves sleep quality and duration
• Enhances emotional wellbeing
• Reduces body fat while increasing muscle mass
• Strengthens immune system
• Regains or maintains independence
Nutrition
Healthy eating habits…
• Improve energy
• Reduce the risk of many other health issues
Nutrition
Good nutrition helps you:
• Manage symptoms• Prevent complications• Gain control of your
health
Canada's food guide
can help you plan for better overall nutrition
Visit Health Canada’s website today to create your own customized food guide!
www.hc-sc.gc.ca
Treatment
Medication is no magic bullet…
InflammatoryPain relievers
Anti-inflammatories
Injections: steroids
Disease-Modifying
Anti-Rheumatic Drugs (DMARDs)
Biologics
DegenerativePain relievers
Anti-InflammatoriesInjections: steroids & viscosupplementation
Surgery
Often a last resort; may be necessary if:
• Your joints become badly damaged or your pain is extreme
• Inflammatory arthritis is not responding to medication
Alternative Therapies
Complementary and Alternative Therapies include:
• Other healthcare providers• Supplements• Psychological techniques• Physical and topical treatments
Joint Protection
• Pacing• Positioning• Adaptation• Assistive devices
Assistive Devices
Take an active role
Journaling or record-keeping
Keeping a journal or health record is an excellent way to log information about you and your arthritis.
Take an active role
• Take part in decision making• Be honest with yourself and others• Learn as much as you can about your arthritis• Understand your options• Be persistent• Keep track of progress• Explore all options• Don’t give up!
The Arthritis Society has developed forms to help you optimize the time you have with your doctor.
CommunityResources and Tools
Beat the Clock Toolkit
The Toolkit helps to
• Improve communication• Save you time!
Remember…
Take Part Be realistic.
Be ready for your visit. Talk about all symptoms. What do you expect from the health care provider?
Ask questions about the diagnosis, test results, treatments and if follow-up is required.
Briefly repeat what both of you discussed.
Follow up on any instructions/recommendations.
Prepare
Ask
Repeat
Take Action
Important Connections
The Arthritis Society Programs• Arthritis Self-Management Program (ASMP)• Chronic Pain Management (in select communities)• Physical Activity and Arthritis• Joint Health in the Workplace
Arthritis Information Line1-800-321-1433 (ext. 1)
Local Resources
• Lethbridge• Medicine Hat• Calgary• Red Deer• Camrose• Edmonton• Edson• Grande Prairie• Fort McMurray
5 Tips for fighting arthritis
• Get educated• Stay involved• Know your team and resources• Stay healthy• Know your medication responsibilities
Summary
Arthritis Action Plan
• We all need a plan• What did you learn?• What did you want?• What can you do
next?
Next Steps
• Continue your arthritis education journey
• Commit to becoming the best self-manager you can be
• Make the connections you need
Evaluation
Please take a few moments to complete the session evaluation.
Remember…
The Arthritis Society Arthritis Information line 1-800-321-1433 (ext. 1)
THANK YOU
KEEP IN TOUCH!