By PAULA WOLF, Staff Writer
Sunday News
Published: Apr 01, 2007 12:05 AM EST
LANCASTER COUNTY, Pa - As a physical therapist and president of BHB Rehab Services, Lititz, Judy Hickes sees firsthand the damage arthritis can do.
So it was natural for her to become involved with the Arthritis Foundation, an organization she's been active with for years.
"I appreciate the education and programming it provides," Hickes said.
But now the disease is impacting her life.
Her husband, Tim, a teacher at Denver Elementary School in Cocalico School District, has been diagnosed with psoriatic arthritis. Related to the skin condition psoriasis, it causes joint pain and swelling among other symptoms.
Hickes, 51, is co-chairwoman (with fellow physical therapist Becky Duschl) of the Lancaster Arthritis Walk, which will be held May 5 at Overlook Park, beginning at 9:30 a.m.
May also is National Arthritis Month.
Hometown: Pine Glen, Centre County.
Current residence: Lititz.
Education: Bachelor's degree in physical therapy from Boston University.
Some background on the Arthritis Walk: It's a signature fundraiser for the Arthritis Foundation. Money raised helps to support arthritis research, health education, and government advocacy to improve the lives of people with arthritis.
More details about this year's event: Dogs are invited to walk with their owners (dogs get arthritis, too). There are two courses: one mile and five kilometers. Anyone who would like to form a team should contact the Lancaster-Lebanon counties branch of the Central Pennsylvania chapter of Arthritis Foundation at 397-6271 or go to http://lancasterarthritiswalk.kintera.org.
Some little-known facts about arthritis: It's the nation's No. 1 cause of disability. Arthritis refers to more than 100 diseases that affect areas in or around joints. Arthritis and chronic joint pain afflict more than 66 million people in the United States, adding up to one in three adults and nearly 300,000 children. It costs the U.S. economy nearly $86.2 billion annually.
Other involvement: I serve on the finance committee of the American Physical Therapy Association and on the board of directors in the private practice section of the same group.
Favorite local restaurant: Mazzi in Leola, where I enjoy the salmon among other dishes.
Favorite place in Lancaster County: In my backyard, sitting by our pond and enjoying the flowers, the birds, and my two floppy-eared rabbits, Buster and Sneakers.
My mother always told me: Always do your best in everything you do.
Favorite authors: Tom Clancy, David Baldacci, Richard North Patterson and Sandra Brown.
Magazines I read: Women's Health, Southern Living, Runner's World.
A Web site I frequent: www.barnesandnoble.com.
A TV show I don't like to admit I watch: I love "American Idol."
Favorite vacation spot: The Dutch Caribbean island Bonaire.
How I like to relax: By doing anything water-related.
Ten years from now, I want to be: Retired and sitting in back of our boat, reading a book.
A quotation to live by: "It's not what happens to you; it's what you do about it." — W Mitchell, motivational and inspirational speaker.
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Monday, April 02, 2007
Psoriatic Arthritis - New Patient Education Program and Awareness Month Hope to Dispel Myths
The National Psoriasis Foundation, with support from drugmaker Abbott, has introduced Psoriatic Arthritis Total Approach to Health (PATH), a program providing tools and information for managing the physical and emotional aspects of psoriatic arthritis. PATH features tips from experts on reducing stress, exercising, eating well and other healthy living ideas to help manage life with psoriatic arthritis. Tips on skin care and style, to help people with psoriatic arthritis deal with visible skin symptoms, will also be offered.
August is also Psoriasis Awareness Month. According to statistics from the National Institutes of Health, 7.5 million Americans have psoriasis. Between 10 and 30 percent of people with psoriasis also develop psoriatic arthritis.
August is also Psoriasis Awareness Month. According to statistics from the National Institutes of Health, 7.5 million Americans have psoriasis. Between 10 and 30 percent of people with psoriasis also develop psoriatic arthritis.
Saturday, March 31, 2007
Acupressure beats nausea, insomnia
By JOE GRAEDON and TERESA GRAEDON, Ph.D.
King Features Syndicate
I read with great interest about your readers who have had good results using acupressure bands as a sleep aid. I, too, have had great results from acupressure bands, but as a cure for nausea.
When I was pregnant, I suffered from nausea 24 hours a day. (I'll never figure out why they call it "morning sickness," because I was nauseated morning, noon and night.) I had to travel with plastic bags in my car because I never knew when I would need to vomit.
Finally, a friend sent me these new anti-nausea bands that are worn around the wrist and provide constant pressure on something called the Nei-Kuan acupressure point. I found that I felt so much better, I wore them for the duration of my pregnancy. The bands are called Psi Bands and are adjustable for any size wrist. You can control the amount of pressure you apply, which makes them comfortable to wear.
Even though I am no longer pregnant, I wear them on long car trips and when I travel by air.
King Features Syndicate
I read with great interest about your readers who have had good results using acupressure bands as a sleep aid. I, too, have had great results from acupressure bands, but as a cure for nausea.
When I was pregnant, I suffered from nausea 24 hours a day. (I'll never figure out why they call it "morning sickness," because I was nauseated morning, noon and night.) I had to travel with plastic bags in my car because I never knew when I would need to vomit.
Finally, a friend sent me these new anti-nausea bands that are worn around the wrist and provide constant pressure on something called the Nei-Kuan acupressure point. I found that I felt so much better, I wore them for the duration of my pregnancy. The bands are called Psi Bands and are adjustable for any size wrist. You can control the amount of pressure you apply, which makes them comfortable to wear.
Even though I am no longer pregnant, I wear them on long car trips and when I travel by air.
Thursday, March 29, 2007
Introduction to Rheumatoid Arthritis
Medically Reviewed On: October 04, 2006
Arthritis is not a single disease, but an umbrella term that is used to describe more than 100 chronic conditions that affect the musculoskeletal system. All of them cause pain, stiffness and swelling of the joints. Often, these symptoms can make the simplest of everyday tasks, from opening a jar to walking up stairs, difficult to accomplish.
The most debilitating form of arthritis is rheumatoid arthritis (RA). According to the National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases, it affects about one percent of the United States population, or about 2.1 million Americans. The condition occurs in all races and ethnic groups.
Rheumatoid arthritis often begins in middle age, usually somewhere between the ages of 30 and 50. However, it can also affect people who are over 50. A similar condition, known as juvenile rheumatoid arthritis, can strike children and teenagers.
No one knows exactly what causes rheumatoid arthritis, but a variety of factors, including genetics and hormones are suspected. The hormone link may explain why women have proven to be at a much higher risk for the disease. Research indicates that between one and three percent of all women may develop rheumatoid arthritis in their lifetime, and women comprise approximately 70 percent of all people with the disease. The hormone connection also appears likely because of studies which demonstrate that the disease seems to go into remission during pregnancy, and the symptoms tend to increase in intensity after the baby is born. Research has also found that the disease often develops in the year after giving birth.
The Role of the Immune System
Unlike other forms of arthritis, which can result from wear and tear on the joints, rheumatoid arthritis is an autoimmune disease. That means it is an illness which occurs when the immune system malfunctions and produces antibodies or specialized cells which attack and damage the body's own tissues.
In a healthy individual, the immune system protects the body by fighting off foreign substances, called antigens, such as viruses and bacteria. When an autoimmune disease is present, the immune system seems to go into overdrive and starts reacting to the body's healthy cells as well. The result is often damaging inflammation in different organs, joints and body tissue.
In rheumatoid arthritis, inflammation primarily occurs in the membrane that lines the joint, called the synovium. This process is called synovitis and is responsible for the chronic pain, stiffness, swelling and limited motion and function that many people with rheumatoid arthritis experience. The inflammation can destroy the cartilage, bone and ligaments and can eventually cause the joints to become deformed. Most often it is the smaller joints that are affected, such as the ones in the hands, feet, wrists, elbows, knees and ankles.
However, the damaging effects don't stop there. Rheumatoid arthritis is considered a systemic disease, meaning it can affect other parts of the body as well. It can harm virtually every organ or system in the body including the heart, lungs, kidneys, blood vessels and skin.
Long-Lasting Effects
Although the disease is chronic, meaning it can last for years, its symptoms actually wax and wane. There are times when the disease will be active, which is referred to as a flare. There are also times when people with rheumatoid arthritis will experience no symptoms, and those episodes can last for years.
Despite its cyclical nature, rheumatoid arthritis is a progressive illness. If the inflammation is not stopped or slowed down with treatment early, it can cause extensive joint damage and long term disability. Many people with rheumatoid arthritis have difficulty carrying out normal activities associated with daily living, including simple things like standing, dressing themselves, going to the bathroom and carrying out household chores.
The debilitating symptoms can also interfere with people's ability to perform their jobs. As many as half of those with rheumatoid arthritis are no longer able to work ten to 20 years after their condition is diagnosed. Nationwide, rheumatoid arthritis and related arthritic conditions are considered a major cause of disability in the United States, costing the U.S. economy more than 124 billion dollars per year in medical care and indirect expenses such as lost wages and production.
Help is Available
Rheumatoid arthritis has been a primary focus of research for many decades, and the treatments now available have dramatically improved outcomes for patients. Many of these therapies have made it possible to stop or at least slow down the progression of the joint damage, especially if started early.
Arthritis self-management programs also play an important role in helping people learn how to cope with the pain, as well as the other effects of the disease. Research shows that these programs can lead to a reduction in pain and can help people remain active and learn to cope better physically, emotionally and mentally. Giving people the tools they need to manage their condition and take care of themselves has proven useful in helping patients learn to lead independent and productive lives
Arthritis is not a single disease, but an umbrella term that is used to describe more than 100 chronic conditions that affect the musculoskeletal system. All of them cause pain, stiffness and swelling of the joints. Often, these symptoms can make the simplest of everyday tasks, from opening a jar to walking up stairs, difficult to accomplish.
The most debilitating form of arthritis is rheumatoid arthritis (RA). According to the National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases, it affects about one percent of the United States population, or about 2.1 million Americans. The condition occurs in all races and ethnic groups.
Rheumatoid arthritis often begins in middle age, usually somewhere between the ages of 30 and 50. However, it can also affect people who are over 50. A similar condition, known as juvenile rheumatoid arthritis, can strike children and teenagers.
No one knows exactly what causes rheumatoid arthritis, but a variety of factors, including genetics and hormones are suspected. The hormone link may explain why women have proven to be at a much higher risk for the disease. Research indicates that between one and three percent of all women may develop rheumatoid arthritis in their lifetime, and women comprise approximately 70 percent of all people with the disease. The hormone connection also appears likely because of studies which demonstrate that the disease seems to go into remission during pregnancy, and the symptoms tend to increase in intensity after the baby is born. Research has also found that the disease often develops in the year after giving birth.
The Role of the Immune System
Unlike other forms of arthritis, which can result from wear and tear on the joints, rheumatoid arthritis is an autoimmune disease. That means it is an illness which occurs when the immune system malfunctions and produces antibodies or specialized cells which attack and damage the body's own tissues.
In a healthy individual, the immune system protects the body by fighting off foreign substances, called antigens, such as viruses and bacteria. When an autoimmune disease is present, the immune system seems to go into overdrive and starts reacting to the body's healthy cells as well. The result is often damaging inflammation in different organs, joints and body tissue.
In rheumatoid arthritis, inflammation primarily occurs in the membrane that lines the joint, called the synovium. This process is called synovitis and is responsible for the chronic pain, stiffness, swelling and limited motion and function that many people with rheumatoid arthritis experience. The inflammation can destroy the cartilage, bone and ligaments and can eventually cause the joints to become deformed. Most often it is the smaller joints that are affected, such as the ones in the hands, feet, wrists, elbows, knees and ankles.
However, the damaging effects don't stop there. Rheumatoid arthritis is considered a systemic disease, meaning it can affect other parts of the body as well. It can harm virtually every organ or system in the body including the heart, lungs, kidneys, blood vessels and skin.
Long-Lasting Effects
Although the disease is chronic, meaning it can last for years, its symptoms actually wax and wane. There are times when the disease will be active, which is referred to as a flare. There are also times when people with rheumatoid arthritis will experience no symptoms, and those episodes can last for years.
Despite its cyclical nature, rheumatoid arthritis is a progressive illness. If the inflammation is not stopped or slowed down with treatment early, it can cause extensive joint damage and long term disability. Many people with rheumatoid arthritis have difficulty carrying out normal activities associated with daily living, including simple things like standing, dressing themselves, going to the bathroom and carrying out household chores.
The debilitating symptoms can also interfere with people's ability to perform their jobs. As many as half of those with rheumatoid arthritis are no longer able to work ten to 20 years after their condition is diagnosed. Nationwide, rheumatoid arthritis and related arthritic conditions are considered a major cause of disability in the United States, costing the U.S. economy more than 124 billion dollars per year in medical care and indirect expenses such as lost wages and production.
Help is Available
Rheumatoid arthritis has been a primary focus of research for many decades, and the treatments now available have dramatically improved outcomes for patients. Many of these therapies have made it possible to stop or at least slow down the progression of the joint damage, especially if started early.
Arthritis self-management programs also play an important role in helping people learn how to cope with the pain, as well as the other effects of the disease. Research shows that these programs can lead to a reduction in pain and can help people remain active and learn to cope better physically, emotionally and mentally. Giving people the tools they need to manage their condition and take care of themselves has proven useful in helping patients learn to lead independent and productive lives
When Psoriasis Gets Under Your Skin and in Your Joints
Author:
Karen Barrow
Medically Reviewed On: May 11, 2005
More than 4.5 million adults suffer from psoriasis, a chronic condition that causes red, flaky patches of thickened skin. This uncontrollable overgrowth of skin cells can appear on the scalp, hands, feet and genitalia. But the lesions most commonly appear on the elbows, knees and lower back, which might give a hint as to why almost one third of psoriasis sufferers also have a compounding disease, psoriatic arthritis, which affects the joints and can be crippling.
Psoriatic arthritis, however, can be effectively treated in most patients if it is recognized early enough. Alan Menter, MD, chief of dermatology at Baylor Medical Center in Dallas, Texas outlines this potentially disabling disease and the treatments available for it.
What is psoriatic arthritis?
Psoriatic arthritis is an inflammatory joint disease that is almost always associated with a skin disease called psoriasis. There are five different subtypes of the joint disease: anything from just a few swollen fingers and toes to more severe involvement of large joints to very disabling involvement where the hands and feet and the spine get pretty inflamed and chronically destroyed, actually. [It is mainly associated with a decrease in the range of motion, more so than pain.] So, it's a whole range from very minor disease to very severe disease, which can be disabling in about 20 percent of patients.
What causes psoriatic arthritis?
As with a lot of other diseases, there's a genetic component, but there's an environmental component as well, possibly illnesses, infections, stress. There are eight different genes associated with the skin disease, and some of those are also associated with the joint disease.
Psoriasis an immune-mediated disease, whereby T cells, [normal immune cells] are increased in number. As these cells circulate into the skin and the joints, they produce a chemical by the name of TNFα. This chemical leads to the destruction of the skin and the destruction of the joints. But the exact trigger factors of psoriasis, outside of the genetic factors, all remain to be elucidated.
Does skin psoriasis always lead to psoriatic arthritis?
Psoriasis usually occurs five to ten years before the joint disease develops. One out of three patients with the skin disease will develop the joint disease. And the severity of the skin disease does not correlate with the development of psoriatic arthritis. In other words, you can get just a few small patches of skin disease but devastating joint disease, or you can get devastating skin disease with no joint disease. However, psoriatic arthritis is going to present as skin disease in nine out of ten cases before it ever occurs in the joints.
Karen Barrow
Medically Reviewed On: May 11, 2005
More than 4.5 million adults suffer from psoriasis, a chronic condition that causes red, flaky patches of thickened skin. This uncontrollable overgrowth of skin cells can appear on the scalp, hands, feet and genitalia. But the lesions most commonly appear on the elbows, knees and lower back, which might give a hint as to why almost one third of psoriasis sufferers also have a compounding disease, psoriatic arthritis, which affects the joints and can be crippling.
Psoriatic arthritis, however, can be effectively treated in most patients if it is recognized early enough. Alan Menter, MD, chief of dermatology at Baylor Medical Center in Dallas, Texas outlines this potentially disabling disease and the treatments available for it.
What is psoriatic arthritis?
Psoriatic arthritis is an inflammatory joint disease that is almost always associated with a skin disease called psoriasis. There are five different subtypes of the joint disease: anything from just a few swollen fingers and toes to more severe involvement of large joints to very disabling involvement where the hands and feet and the spine get pretty inflamed and chronically destroyed, actually. [It is mainly associated with a decrease in the range of motion, more so than pain.] So, it's a whole range from very minor disease to very severe disease, which can be disabling in about 20 percent of patients.
What causes psoriatic arthritis?
As with a lot of other diseases, there's a genetic component, but there's an environmental component as well, possibly illnesses, infections, stress. There are eight different genes associated with the skin disease, and some of those are also associated with the joint disease.
Psoriasis an immune-mediated disease, whereby T cells, [normal immune cells] are increased in number. As these cells circulate into the skin and the joints, they produce a chemical by the name of TNFα. This chemical leads to the destruction of the skin and the destruction of the joints. But the exact trigger factors of psoriasis, outside of the genetic factors, all remain to be elucidated.
Does skin psoriasis always lead to psoriatic arthritis?
Psoriasis usually occurs five to ten years before the joint disease develops. One out of three patients with the skin disease will develop the joint disease. And the severity of the skin disease does not correlate with the development of psoriatic arthritis. In other words, you can get just a few small patches of skin disease but devastating joint disease, or you can get devastating skin disease with no joint disease. However, psoriatic arthritis is going to present as skin disease in nine out of ten cases before it ever occurs in the joints.
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