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make

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nclude

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ction

y), and

dibular

e skull).

of

n

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a joint.

ill, suddenly have a swollen joint,or have problems using your joint,see your doctor sooner. Your healthcare provider will ask questionsabout your symptoms and do aphysical exam. He or she maytake x rays or do lab tests beforesuggesting a treatment plan.

Treating ArthritisEach kind of arthritis is handleda little differently, but there aresome common treatment choices.Rest, exercise, eating a healthy,well-balanced diet, and learningthe right way to use and protectyour joints are key to living withany kind of arthritis. The rightshoes and a cane can help withpain in the feet, knees,and hips whenwalking. You canalso find gadgetsto help you openjars and bottlesor to turn thedoor knobs inyour housemore easily.

6

7

NSAIDs (nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs), like ibuprofen andnaproxen, are sold without a prescription. Other NSAIDs must beprescribed by a doctor. But in 2005,the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) warned people aboutthe possible side effects of someNSAIDs, both those sold with orwithout a prescription. You shouldread the warnings on the packageor insert that comes with the drug.Talk to your doctor about if andhow you should use acetaminophenor NSAIDs for your arthritis pain.You can also check with the FDAfor more information aboutthese drugs.

Some treatments are special

for each common type of arthritis.

Osteoarthritis. Medicines can

help you control OA pain. Rest andexercise will make it easier for youto move your joints. Keeping yourweight down is a good idea. If painfrom OA in your knee is very bad,your doctor might give you shotsin the joint. This can help you to
oes.

to pull

make

ery

ggest

 she

luid

e hav

nclude

 with

 anky

stly

thritis

ction

y), and

dibular

e skull).

of

n

ng

a joint.

If you have a fever, feel physicallyill, suddenly have a swollen joint,or have problems using your joint,see your doctor sooner. Your healthcare provider will ask questionsabout your symptoms and do aphysical exam. He or she maytake x rays or do lab tests beforesuggesting a treatment plan.

Treating ArthritisEach kind of arthritis is handleda little differently, but there aresome common treatment choices.Rest, exercise, eating a healthy,well-balanced diet, and learningthe right way to use and protectyour joints are key to living withany kind of arthritis. The rightshoes and a cane can help withpain in the feet, knees,and hips whenwalking. You canalso find gadgetsto help you openjars and bottlesor to turn thedoor knobs inyour housemore easily.

6

7

can safely ease arthritis pain. SomeNSAIDs (nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs), like ibuprofen andnaproxen, are sold without a prescription. Other NSAIDs must beprescribed by a doctor. But in 2005,the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) warned people aboutthe possible side effects of someNSAIDs, both those sold with orwithout a prescription. You shouldread the warnings on the packageor insert that comes with the drug.Talk to your doctor about if andhow you should use acetaminophenor NSAIDs for your arthritis pain.You can also check with the FDAfor more information aboutthese drugs.

Some treatments are special

for each common type of arthritis.

Osteoarthritis. Medicines can

help you control OA pain. Rest andexercise will make it easier for youto move your joints. Keeping yourweight down is a good idea. If painfrom OA in your knee is very bad,your doctor might give you shotsin the joint. This can help you to
p

make

ery

ggest

 she

luid

e hav

nclude

 with

 anky

stly

thritis

ction

y), and

dibular

e skull).

of

n

ng

a joint.

y 

j

or have problems using your joint,see your doctor sooner. Your healthcare provider will ask questionsabout your symptoms and do aphysical exam. He or she maytake x rays or do lab tests beforesuggesting a treatment plan.

Treating ArthritisEach kind of arthritis is handleda little differently, but there aresome common treatment choices.Rest, exercise, eating a healthy,well-balanced diet, and learningthe right way to use and protectyour joints are key to living withany kind of arthritis. The rightshoes and a cane can help withpain in the feet, knees,and hips whenwalking. You canalso find gadgetsto help you openjars and bottlesor to turn thedoor knobs inyour housemore easily.

6

7

matory drugs), like ibuprofen andnaproxen, are sold without a prescription. Other NSAIDs must beprescribed by a doctor. But in 2005,the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) warned people aboutthe possible side effects of someNSAIDs, both those sold with orwithout a prescription. You shouldread the warnings on the packageor insert that comes with the drug.Talk to your doctor about if andhow you should use acetaminophenor NSAIDs for your arthritis pain.You can also check with the FDAfor more information aboutthese drugs.

Some treatments are special

for each common type of arthritis.

Osteoarthritis. Medicines can

help you control OA pain. Rest andexercise will make it easier for youto move your joints. Keeping yourweight down is a good idea. If painfrom OA in your knee is very bad,your doctor might give you shotsin the joint. This can help you to
e skull).

of

n

ng

a joint.

your joints are key to living withany kind of arthritis. The rightshoes and a cane can help withpain in the feet, knees,and hips whenwalking. You canalso find gadgetsto help you openjars and bottlesor to turn thedoor knobs inyour housemore easily.

6 7

for more information aboutthese drugs.

Some treatments are special

for each common type of arthritis.

Osteoarthritis. Medicines can

help you control OA pain. Rest andexercise will make it easier for youto move your joints. Keeping yourweight down is a good idea. If painfrom OA in your knee is very bad,your doctor might give you shotsin the joint. This can help you to
13

 sup

ey

nt

rom

tion

e for

rthritis

r norm

n work

pain

oubling

ious

out

mentary

ee)

Bethesda, MD 20892-36751-877-22-NIAMS1-877-226-4267 (toll-free)1-301-565-2966 (TTY)www.niams.nih.govAmerican College ofRheumatology/Association ofRheumatology Health Professionals1800 Century PlaceSuite 250Atlanta, GA 30345-43001-404-633-3777www.rheumatology.orgArthritis FoundationP.O. Box 7669Atlanta, GA 30357-06691-800-568-4045 (toll-free)or check the telephonedirectory for your local chapterwww.arthritis.org

U.S. Department of Health andHuman ServicesNational Institutes of HealthMay 2005

14

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g

Information CenterP.O. Box 8057Gaithersburg, MD 20898-80571-800-222-2225 (toll-free)1-800-222-4225 (TTY toll-free)To order publications (in English orSpanish) or sign up for regular emailalerts, visit: www.niapublications.org.The National Institute on Agingwebsite is www.nia.nih.gov.Visit NIHSeniorHealth.gov(www.nihseniorhealth.gov), a seniorfriendly website from the NationalInstitute on Aging and the NationalLibrary of Medicine. This simple-touse website features popular healthtopics for older adults. It has largetype and a ‘talking’ function thatreads the text out loud.
13

 sup

ey

nt

rom

tion

e for

rthritis

r norm

n work

pain

oubling

ious

out

mentary

ee)

Bethesda, MD 20892-36751-877-22-NIAMS1-877-226-4267 (toll-free)1-301-565-2966 (TTY)www.niams.nih.govAmerican College ofRheumatology/Association ofRheumatology Health Professionals1800 Century PlaceSuite 250Atlanta, GA 30345-43001-404-633-3777www.rheumatology.orgArthritis FoundationP.O. Box 7669Atlanta, GA 30357-06691-800-568-4045 (toll-free)or check the telephonedirectory for your local chapterwww.arthritis.org

U.S. Department of Health andHuman ServicesNational Institutes of HealthMay 2005

14

National Institute on AgingInformation CenterP.O. Box 8057Gaithersburg, MD 20898-80571-800-222-2225 (toll-free)1-800-222-4225 (TTY toll-free)To order publications (in English orSpanish) or sign up for regular emailalerts, visit: www.niapublications.org.The National Institute on Agingwebsite is www.nia.nih.gov.Visit NIHSeniorHealth.gov(www.nihseniorhealth.gov), a seniorfriendly website from the NationalInstitute on Aging and the NationalLibrary of Medicine. This simple-touse website features popular healthtopics for older adults. It has largetype and a ‘talking’ function thatreads the text out loud.
13

 sup

ey

nt

rom

tion

e for

rthritis

r norm

n work

pain

oubling

ious

out

mentary

ee)

Bethesda, MD 20892-36751-877-22-NIAMS1-877-226-4267 (toll-free)1-301-565-2966 (TTY)www.niams.nih.govAmerican College ofRheumatology/Association ofRheumatology Health Professionals1800 Century PlaceSuite 250Atlanta, GA 30345-43001-404-633-3777www.rheumatology.orgArthritis FoundationP.O. Box 7669Atlanta, GA 30357-06691-800-568-4045 (toll-free)or check the telephonedirectory for your local chapterwww.arthritis.org

U.S. Department of Health andHuman ServicesNational Institutes of HealthMay 2005

14

National Institute on AgingInformation CenterP.O. Box 8057Gaithersburg, MD 20898-80571-800-222-2225 (toll-free)1-800-222-4225 (TTY toll-free)To order publications (in English orSpanish) or sign up for regular emailalerts, visit: www.niapublications.org.The National Institute on Agingwebsite is www.nia.nih.gov.Visit NIHSeniorHealth.gov(www.nihseniorhealth.gov), a seniorfriendly website from the NationalInstitute on Aging and the NationalLibrary of Medicine. This simple-touse website features popular healthtopics for older adults. It has largetype and a ‘talking’ function thatreads the text out loud.
13

out

mentary

ee)

Atlanta, GA 30357-06691-800-568-4045 (toll-free)or check the telephonedirectory for your local chapterwww.arthritis.org

U.S. Department of Health andHuman ServicesNational Institutes of HealthMay 2005

14

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use website features popular healthtopics for older adults. It has largetype and a ‘talking’ function thatreads the text out loud.