Arthritis 101 Arthritis Information line (ext. 1)

Program Overview A rthritis 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 pains FACT:Arthritis causes severe joint pain and damage MYTH 2:Arthritis is a disease of the elderly FACT:Arthritis can strike anyone at anytime MYTH 3:Arthritis is not a costly disease FACT: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: InflammatoryDegenerative 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 reviewI 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?

Let’s reviewI 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)

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 therapies Recommends 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!

Treatment Medication is no magic bullet… Inflammatory Pain relievers Anti-inflammatories Injections: steroids Disease-Modifying Anti-Rheumatic Drugs (DMARDs) Biologics Degenerative Pain relievers Anti-Inflammatories Injections: 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. Community Resources 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 Line (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 (ext. 1) THANK YOU KEEP IN TOUCH!