Part 1. Getting a Grip on Types of Arthritis

Chapter 1. What Is Arthritis?

Understanding How Arthritis Affects Your Joints

Distinguishing Between Arthritis and Arthritis-Related Conditions

Deciding Whether It's Really Arthritis: Signs and Symptoms

Considering the Causes of Arthritis

Understanding Who Gets Arthritis

Assessing Your Treatment Options

Chapter 2. Osteoarthritis: The Most Common Form

Considering Cartilage

Identifying the Signs and Symptoms of Osteoarthritis

Discovering What Causes Cartilage Breakdown

Recognizing Risk Factors for Osteoarthritis

Determining Whether It Really Is Osteoarthritis

Treating Osteoarthritis

Chapter 3. A War Within: Rheumatoid Arthritis

Turning on Itself: The Body Becomes Its Own Worst Enemy

Diagnosing Rheumatoid Arthritis

Treating Rheumatoid Arthritis

Understanding the Difference between Osteoarthritis and Rheumatoid Arthritis

Chapter 4. Investigating Other Forms of Arthritis

Gaining Insight into Gout: It's Not Just for Royalty

Studying Pseudogout: The Royal Pretender

Understanding Juvenile Rheumatoid Arthritis

Figuring Out Infectious Arthritis

Getting a Grip On Gonococcal Arthritis

Surveying Psoriatic Arthritis

Considering Ankylosing Spondylitis

Chapter 5. Exploring Other Conditions Linked to Arthritis

Experiencing Arthritis as a Major Player

Experiencing Arthritis as a Minor Player

Experiencing Arthritis as a Companion Condition

Part II. Tests and Treatments: What to Expect from Your Doctor

Chapter 6. Your Doctor and You: Allies Against Arthritis

Positioning Yourself for Treatment Success

Choosing a Good Doctor

Working with Your Doctor

Speaking Your Doctor's Language

Figuring Out When You Should Find a New Doctor

Chapter 7. Judging Joint Health with Low- and High-Tech Tests

Checking In for a Check-Up

Explaining X-Rays and Scans

Backing Up a Diagnosis with Biopsies and Blood Tests

Taking Other Tests on the Road to Diagnosis

Chapter 8. From Aspirin to Steroids: Medicines for Arthritis

Talking to Your Doctor

Exploring the Five Classes of Drugs for Arthritis

Uncovering Specific Medicines for Specific Types of Arthritis

Chapter 9. Cuts That Cure: Surgeries for Arthritis

Knowing What to Ask Your Doctor Before Undergoing Surgery

Looking At Different Kinds of Joint Surgery

Getting Ready for Surgery

Chapter 10. Overcoming the Ouch: Strategies for Pain Management

Understanding Arthritis Pain

Differentiating Between Acute Pain and Chronic Pain

Relieving Pain with Noninvasive Therapies

Taking Pain Relief to the Next Level

Part III. The Arthritis Lifestyle Strategy

Chapter 11. Fighting the Pain with Foods and Supplements

Finding Foods That Heal

Avoiding Foods That May Be Trouble

Saving Your Joints with Supplements

Relieving Arthritis Symptoms with Other Nutritional Substances

Looking at a Possible Link between Lupus and Food

Chapter 12. Oiling Your Joints with Exercise

Reaching Different Goals with Different Exercises

Easing Joint Pain with Exercise

Using Yoga to Ease Arthritis Pain

Doing Chair Exercises to Save Your Joints

Maximizing the Healing Effects of Exercise

Designing Your Workout Program

Chapter 13. The Right Stride and Other Ways to Protect Your Joints

Believing in Biomechanics

Waxing Ergonomic at Your Workstation

Standing Tall: Body Alignment

Reducing Joint Stress with the Right Stride

Saving Your Joints When Hitting the Hay

Lifting Without Losing It

Chapter 14. Controlling Your Stress, Aggression, and Depression

Understanding Why We Hurt More Than We Have To

Discovering the Healing Power of Positive Thinking

Easing Depression and Anxiety with Prayer and Spirituality

Chapter 15. Day-to-Day Living with Arthritis

Taking Care of You

Finding an Easier Way to Get Through the Day

Joining an Arthritis Support Group

Dealing with Arthritis

in the Workplace

Part IV. Is Alternative Medicine for You?

Chapter 16. Exploring Alternative Medicine

Understanding the Many Faces of Alternative Medicine

Easing Arthritis Through Alternative Approaches

Finding a Reputable CAM Practitioner

Working with Your Doctor

Figuring Out Whether Alternative Medicine Is for You

Chapter 17. Discovering Herbs and Homeopathy

Digging Into Medicinal Herbs

Getting the Lowdown on Herbs for Arthritis

Stimulating the Body to Heal Itself with Homeopathy

Chapter 18. Hands-On Healing Methods

Unblocking the Energy Flow: Eastern Hands-On Healing Methods

Realigning and Releasing Tension: Western Hands-On Healing Methods

Chapter 19. Other Alternative Approaches

Breathing In the Healing: Aromatherapy

Fighting Pain with Bee Venom Therapy

Replacing the Hormone DHEA

Easing Inflammation with DMSO

Fighting the Pain and Disability of RA with MSM

Whirling the Pain Away with Hydrotherapy

Peering into the Possibilities of Prolotherapy

Part V. The Part of Tens

Chapter 20. Ten Tips for Traveling with Arthritis

Talking to Your Doctor

Reviewing Your Medications and Supplements

Preplanning to Reduce Stress

Eating Wisely and Well

Exercising, Even Though You're on Vacation!

Using Joint-Protection Techniques

Using Assistive Devices

Renting an Arthritis-Friendly Car

Flying with Finesse

Taking a Test Run

Chapter 21. Ten Ways to Save on Prescriptions

Review Your Medications

Ask Your Doctor for Free Samples

Check Out Medicare's Drug Discount Program

Find Out Whether You Qualify for a Drug Assistance Program

Get a Pharmacy Discount Card

Buy the Generic Version

Buy in Bulk

Double the Strength and Split the Pills

Compare Prices at Different Pharmacies

Consider Online or Mail-Order Pharmacies

Chapter 22. Ten Professionals Who Can Help You Fight Arthritis

Rheumatologist

Primary Care Physician

Pharmacist

Physical Therapist or Exercise Physiologist

Occupational Therapist

Registered Dietitian

Social Worker

Chiropractor

Mental Health Professional

Massage Therapist

Chapter 23. Ten Crackerjack New Treatments

Anti-TNF Drugs for Rheumatoid Arthritis

Rituximab for Rheumatoid Arthritis

The "Mini-Open" Surgical Technique for Carpal Tunnel Syndrome

Etoricoxib for RA, OA, and Gout

Bosentan for Scleroderma

MMF for Lupus-Related Kidney Problems

Cartilage Self-Transplants and Tissue Engineering

Glass Therapy to Repair Bone and Treat RA

Therapeutic Tape for Osteoarthritis Pain

Improvements in Hip Replacement Materials and Techniques

Part VI. Appendixes

Appendix A. Glossary

Appendix B. Resources

Appendix C. Weight Loss and Management Guide

Figuring Out Whether You're Too Heavy

Losing Weight the Safe and Healthy Way.