GENERAL INFORMATION BOOKLET
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- Title
- GENERAL INFORMATION BOOKLET
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Introducing
ARTHRITIS
The information given in this
booklet on specific rheumatic
diseases is general and should not
be used as a patient’s guide to these
ailments.
If you have been diagnosed as
suffering from one of the major
rheumatic diseases please write in for
one of our patient handbooks or
leaflets on that illness (see opposite
Barry Sheene’s letter for details).
If we have no published infor
mation on your illness, please write
and let us know. The range of our
patient literature is always under
review and, if there is a need, we may
ask a specialist to prepare a leaflet
suitable for publication.
_______________
Picture
Arthritis And
Rheumatism Explained
Arthritis means disease of, or
damage to, the joints. Rheumatism is a
more general term used to cover any pain
in your bones, muscles, joints and the
tissues surrounding the joints. The term
"rheumatic diseases” is used to refer to
all types of arthritis and rheumatism.
Different Types
There are about 200 different
kinds of rheumatic disease. Fortunately
many of them are rare, they fall into four
main types:
may be due to mechanical
stress on the spine, degeneration and
prolapse of the discs, inflammation of
ligaments and in the joints of the spine
and pelvis (eg ankylosing spondylitis),
degeneration and bony outgrowths with
entrapment of nerves (spondylosis) and
diseases of bones. Sometimes there is no
obvious physical cause for back pain.
Rheumatism: pain in the
structures around the joints often related
to minor injury or over-use, they are
usually short-lasting spells of pain, for
example, “tennis elbow”.
Inflammation Of The Joint Lining:
can cause extensive damage to the joints.
Rheumatoid arthritis is a case in point.
Damage To The Surfaces Of The
Osteoarthritis (also called
"osteoarthrosis") is a common example.
It is these last two types of arthritis
which can cause the most suffering and
disability.
RC BOOKLETS ANO
I.EAFL1. IS
tokdo-ing spondylitis Backache
Pain in the neck
Rheumatoid arthritis
l upus: SI.K
explained
PoBmvalgia rheumatic
Goul
Osteoarthritis
(PAIR)
Tennis elbow
explained
Muscle and Bone Disorders
Changes in bones and muscles
sometimes occur with arthritis, and can
complicate it. Thinning of bone
(osteoporosis) is common, especially in
older people, and can cause fractures in
those with or without a rheumatic
complaint. Other bone diseases or
inflammation of muscles can produce
pain and disability similar to those
caused by arthritis.
The Causes
We now know what lies at the root
of some rheumatic diseases. For
instance, modern research has led to an
understanding of gout and nowadays it
can be effectively treated.
Unfortunately, we do not yet know
the initiating cause of many other
diseases, including rheumatoid and
osteoarthritis. They are probably caused
by a combination of several factors.
Recent research has revealed a
great deal, for example, about what
causes inflammation of joints and how
they are damaged, but much more
research needs to be done to discover
the initial cause.
Rheumatic disease is no respecter of age.
The Victims
Rheumatic disease is no respecter
of age, sex, race or social status. It is
certainly not just a problem in the
elderly. Children may get arthritis, and
the most common and serious forms
usually begin in young adults. It is a
common disease throughout the world.
Rheumatoid arthritis tends to start
in women in their 30’s. Ankylosing
spondylitis (a common form of spinal
arthritis) affects you ng men. Osteoarthritis
usually starts around the age of 50.
SEE ARC BOOKLET,
When your child has arthritis
Children may also get arthritis.
Family Risk
Rheumatic disease is not infectious.
Some types of arthritis show a
tendency to run in families, (ankylosing
spondylitis, rheumatoid arthritis, gout and
osteoarthritis are examples), but it is
unlikely that a simple genetic factor will
be involved.
Most rheumatic diseases do not
run in families, and the fact that some
members of your family have arthritis
does not necessarily mean that you will
suffer. Unfortunately, it is not yet known
how arthritis can be prevented.
Allergy and Diet
Occasionally an allergic reaction to
food or something else will cause inflam
mation of joints, or aggravate some forms
of arthritis. However, allergies do not
seem to be the cause of most forms of
arthritis and rheumatism. Food is also
unlikely to cause or affect the condition
in most sufferers, although what you eat
may occasionally make a difference, as is
explained later.
SEE ARC FACTSHEET
The Weather
Changes in the weather can affect
feelings of pain and stiffness, but they
make no difference to the progress of
the disease for good or ill. When rain
threatens and the barometer falls
sufferers tend to feel worse while in a
warm, even climate they may feel better.
But ultimately changes in country or
conditions will affect neither the disease
nor its outcome.
SEE ARC FACTSHEET
Weather
The Statistics
About 20 million people in Britain
alone experience some form of rheumatic
complaint during the course of a year.
Around 8 million will seek help from
their family doctor.
Of these, 5 million suffer from
osteoarthritis, another one million from
rheumatoid arthritis. Many others have
one of the less common complaints and
about 15,000 children suffer from a
juvenile form of arthritis.
Almost everyone knows someone
with arthritis or rheumatism. Indeed,
most of us will get some form of mild
backache or rheumatic pain at some time
in our lives. Fortunately most of these
episodes are due to minor damage, and
cure themselves or respond quickly to
treatment. Significant arthritis and
rheumatism probably affects about one
in seven of the population.
The Cost
Out of every four patients who visit
their GP one will probably be an arthritis
or rheumatism sufferer. The rheumatic
diseases account for one-third of all
severely-disabled people in Britain. They
are the biggest single cause of disability
in the country today. They cost the
country a huge amount in hospital and
social services bills, as well as around
88 million lost working days a year.
But the biggest cost is borne by the
millions of people who have to face living
with arthritis, and the pain, suffering and
disability that means.
Everyone knows someone with arthritis or
rheumatism.
Most cases respond quickly to treatment.
:______ . .
Treatment
Spotting The Signs
Fortunately most aches and pains
felt in and around the joints are not
arthritis but are caused by some mild
form of rheumatism that will disappear.
Arthritis produces persistent pain,
stiffness and difficulty in using the joints.
There may be swelling and tenderness of
the joints, feeling of extreme tiredness
and lethargy. Occasionally, some types of
arthritis cause fevers, rashes and other
symptoms.
. ermmber: If in doubt consult your
A Cure?
Unfortunately, as yet there is no
absolute cure for the rheumatic diseases.
But gout, for instance, can be easily and
effectively controlled, though it may
need lifelong treatment. Other forms of
arthritis, including rheumatoid and
osteoarthritis, SLE (systemic lupus
erythematosus) and connective tissue
diseases can be effectively suppressed
by proper treatment.
Thus there are recognised forms of
therapy which can alleviate all types of
arthritis and rheumatism. This means
that most sufferers are now able to lead
full lives with relatively little pain or
disability.
However, sadly a few people still
develop severe, crippling arthritis in
spite of modern treatment, so more
research is badly needed.
Remember: Arthritis and rheumatism
can always he treated - even if they
cannot be cured.
Help!
Go to your family doctor first. If he
needs specialist advice he may refer you
to a rheumatologist - a hospital doctor
who specialises in the rheumatic
diseases.
Forms Of Treatment
There are many different ways of
treating arthritis and rheumatism.
Drugs usually ease symptoms and
help to keep the disease under control.
Surgery such as joint replacement is
advisable when serious damage has been
sustained. Exercise is often helpful in
strengthening muscles and increasing the
range of movement of your joints. There
are now several other treatments being
used by hospital doctors and reputable
alternative practitioners.
Your doctor will be able to help.
advise and explain the facts about your
disease to you.
Remember: Lots can be done for
arthritis and rheumatism. Get the
best advice - and follow it!
Therapy
There are highly-trained, skillful
professional therapists able to provide a
lot of help for people with arthritis. The
aim is to keep the patient as mobile and
independent as possible.
Physiotherapists can prescribe
exercises and help increase the strength
of muscles, the range of movement of
joints, and the function of the limbs.
Occupational therapists advise on
joint protection and can provide the
various aids and appliances which allow
sufferers to be independent, even if
severely affected by arthritis. Both these
special therapists may help with splints,
walking aids and other ways of protecting
joints and improving movement.
SEE ARC BOOKLET. Your home
and your rheumatism
Exercising helps keep the patient mobile
Exercise Versus Rest
Rest assured joints do not wear out
from exercises prescribed by a qualified
practitioner. It is important to keep
arthritic joints active and make sure that
once or twice a day they go through a full
range of movement. That means, as far
as they can go in each direction.
Because there are many different
types of arthritis, affecting people of all
ages, specific advice about the best type
of exercises cannot be given in this
booklet. Your doctor or a physiotherapist
should be able to help in individual cases.
The amount of exercise you can do
will vary - in general little and often is
better than prolonged continuous
exercise. If a particular activity causes a
lot of pain, lasting for over an hour, it is
wise to avoid it. Normally, doing a little
too much is better than doing much too
little.
? ".mber: Keep active and keep
. joints moving.
ARC FACTSHEET
Drugs: Benefits And
Side-Effects
Drug therapy has made an
enormous difference to most sufferers.
Drugs can cause significant relief from
symptoms and may help control diseases
and prevent progression.
Unfortunately there is no effective
medication for any disease that does not
sometimes cause side-effects. There are
a number of different drugs of several
different types, so it is usually possible
to find a suitable medicine for each
sufferer, without causing problems.
Severe side-effects are very rare.
However, drug therapy is still far
from ideal. More research is being done
to increase the effectiveness and reduce
the chances of side-effects from drugs,
and more work is needed.
Joint replacement surgery has been
remarkably successful.
Remember: Be careful with drugs.
Use them as advised - they will
probably help. If there are unwanted
effects go to your doctor immediately.
Surgery
Surgery is usually only necessary or
advisable when both the damage to the
joint and the pain are so severe as to
make life intolerable. Joint replacement
surgery has been remarkably successful
for arthritis sufferers whose joints are
severely damaged. There are also other
types of pain-relieving or reconstructive
operations which are sometimes helpful.
SEE ARC LEAFLET
A new hip joint
Stress
Stress often seems to cause a
temporary flare-up of symptoms.
Sufferers usually get on better if they can
accept the disease and are not over
stressed either physically or mentally.
However, there is no evidence that stress
can cause arthritis.
Chronic disease means deteriorating
function and that can make it difficult to
maintain normal personal relationships
and employment. This in turn can lead to
considerable anxiety and depression.
Counselling is available from your family
doctor or someone he or she may
recommend.
SEE ARC BOOKLET, Marriage, Sex
& Arthritis
See also under “Useful Addresses”
for organisations which offer a counselling
service.
Diet And Drinking
Healthy eating in important.
It is unhealthy to be overweight
and usually makes arthritis more painful
and difficult to cope with. But what you
eat doesn’t usually matter as long as you
don't eat too much.
A few patients find that their joint
pain improves if they change t heir diet, but
most do not; and the type of food that
makes a difference seems to vary.
Research is being done to tiy and
understand this better, but at present
the best advice for most people seems to
be keep to a normal, healthy diet.
As far as alcohol is concerned, the
risks and benefits are no different
whether you have arthritis or not.
Alternative Therapies?
Alternative remedies such as
osteopathy, homoeopathy and the like
are popular among many patients. If
approached wisely and with proper
medical guidance they can be of help,
though usually in the treatment of
symptoms rather than the disease itself.
But it should be stressed that if you
think you are suffering from arthritis or
rheumatism in any form, See Your
Doctor First. Once you have been given a
sure diagnosis and understand any
limitations of medical treatment, then by
all means explore the possibilities of
alternative treatment provided both your
doctor and the alternative practitioner
are working in the same direction.
Alternative therapy may be
beneficial, but its effectiveness is not
necessarily based on scientific proof, so
much as experience. That is why it is
important to get a correct diagnosis
because this will automatically suggest a
method of treatment which an altern
ative practitioner can work alongside.
Remember: Make Sure You See Your
Doctor Before You Seek Treatment
From An Alternative Practitioner.
Improvement And
Deterioration
Arthritis does not inevitably get
worse.
It may do, but in most cases
modern therapy helps keep the sufferer
fit and active, and helps prevent
progressive joint damage. Symptoms and
mobility often improve even if the
arthritis doesn't go away. Very few
people with arthritis become crippled.
Remember: Don’t get despondent.
Arthritis can respond well to
treatment. The pain, stiffness and
disability can always improve.
This girl has completely recovered from
juvenile arthritis.
_
:
.
.
Charitable Status
We receive no State aid and rely
entirely on voluntary donations. We are a
national charity founded in 1936 to raise
money for research into the cause and
cure of arthritis and rheumatism. Our
secondary aim is to promote a better
understanding of rheumatic disease
among patients, doctors and those
concerned with the patients’ treatment
and care, and the general public.
Both these objectives aim at
providing a better treatment for all who
suffer from these painful diseases.
What We Do
Currently we raise over £6 million a
year. These resources are used in a
number of ways:-
Research:
One hundred and sixty short-term
research projects are being funded at the
moment in hospitals, universities and
laboratories throughout the country'.
They involve research into rheumatoid
arthritis, osteoarthritis, connective tissue
disease, biomechanics, studies of the
spine and many other aspects of
rheumatic disease.
The research ranges from
laboratory-based investigations into the
possible basic causes of the disease, to
clinical and surgical studies into
improvements in treatment and
prevention, and studies into the social
and psychological consequences of
coping with the disease.
We also support 15 research units
engaged in long-term rheumatology'
research. Most of these have been built
up by ARC funding in the past. Many of
them have developed an expertise and
track record in research into one aspect
of rheumatic disease and the work of
each research team concentrates on that
area. This involves collaboration
between clinical and laboratory research
workers. Other units have educational
and clinical commitments to rheumatology,
and ARC funding provides the essential
support they need to meet these
commitments.
Over the last 7 years we have seen
our income increase four-fold. It is likely
that by 1987 we will be contributing at
least £7 million a year to rheumatology
research in the UK.
Education:
For general practitioners and
hospital doctors
Regular reports on the rheumatic
diseases are sent free to all NHS general
practitioners and some hospital doctors.
Tape/slide teaching programmes are
available on aspects of the rheumatic
diseases.
For medical students
We fund 21 appointments of
professors and lecturers in rheumatology
in medical schools to ensure that future
generations of general practitioners
receive a better education about the
rheumatic diseases and their treatment.
Collected editions of our reports on
rheumatic diseases are issued free to
medical students.
For paramedical staff (nurses,
physiotherapists, occupational
therapists, etc)
We fund bursaries and scholarships
for research. We encourage paramedical
staff to develop their knowledge and
skills in the care of rheumatic patients.
For patients and those
concerned with their care
We produce literature on many of
the rheumatic diseases and on how to
cope with daily living (see opposite
Barry Sheene’s letter for details).
For doctors and scientists
working in rheumatology research
We sponsor meetings for the
exchange of ideas and the furthering of
knowledge about the rheumatic diseases.
Research Progress
Research has already produced
benefits for sufferers, for example:
Rheumatic fever has almost
entirely disappeared from western society'
Gout is now entirely controllable.
Diagnosis has improved immensely.
It is possible to give a more accurate
forecast, of the course of the disease and
tailor treatment accordingly.
•Joint replacement surgery has
transformed the lives of arthritis
sufferers. More research is being done on
the materials used to make the “spare
parts’’ and on other joints for
replacement.
.
' meat has meant that
many more rheumatoid patients have an
improved chance of keeping their disease
in check with a significant reduction in
side-effects.
men! has improved
because of a greater awareness of the
effects of the rheumatic diseases on a
patient's lifestyle and mobility. This has
led to help and understanding being
given to sufferers to help them cope with
the social aspects of their disease.
h in rheumatology
has very wide implications in medicine in
general. Rheumatology research has
made important contributions to
improved understanding of various heart
and lung conditions, kidney disease, etc
as well as into the rheumatic diseases.
More To Be Done
Over the last seven years our
income has increased four-fold. This
tremendous achievement is due largely
to the efforts of our 1,100 fund-raising
branches and to our millions of
supporters. The Council has contributed
an immeasurable amount of money to
rheumatology research in this country
and we have every reason to believe that
we will continue to do so.
There is now real hope that
arthritis and rheumatism can be beaten.
The Arthritis & Rheumatism Council is
committed to seeing these diseases
eradicated. But we need continuing
funds to maintain the research that will
do so. You can keep up to date with our
progress through the ARC Magazine,
which is published three times a year.
One of our sponsored supporters.
You Can Help
There are three ways you can join
in the fight against arthritis:
send a donation or take out a Deed of
Covenant;
become an active member of one of our
1,100 local fund-raising branches;
remember ARC in your will.
The Arthritis And Rheumatism
Council Needs Your Help
For the address of your local fund-raiser
consult your local telephone directory,
or write to:
The Arthritis & Rheumatism Council
41 Eagle Street, London WC1R 4AR
Telephone: 01-405 8572
Useful Addresses:
At-’hrilis Cure. 6 Grosvenor Crescent,
London SW1X 7ER
(01-235 0902)
Organises self-help groups for arthritis
sufferers.
<
Trust. Dr Anne Townsend
(Christian Action Research and
Education). 2 1A Down Street,
London W1Y 7DN
(01-499 5949)
Keeps a register of local Christian
counselling groups throughout the
country.
tabled Living Foundation,
380-384 Harrow Road, London W9 2HU.
(01-289 6111)
Runs an Aids Centre where aids and
gadgets for the disabled may be seen and
demonstrated.
Marriage Guidance Council, (see local
telephone directory under “Marriage
Guidance”)
Royal Association for
Disability and Rehabilitation,
25 Mortimer Street, London W1
(01-637 5400)
Runs a national co-ordination body for
physical disability and provides a wide
range of literature of interest to disabled
people.
ARC BOOKLETS AND LEAFLETS:
Ankylosing spondylitis
Are you sitting comfortably?
A guide to choosing easy chairs
Backache
Gout
Introducing arthritis
Lupus (SLE)
Marriage, sex and arthritis
Osteoarthritis explained
Pain in the neck
Rheumatoid arthritis explained
When your child has arthritis:
A parents* guide
Your home and your rheumatism
Tennis elbow (L)
Polymyalgia rheumatica (L)
A new hip joint (L)
ARC MAGAZINE
For keeping up to date with progress on
ARC-funded research read our magazine
which is published three times a year.
Richard Enin« i*/AH A<-li<.r
>
:
I’m amazed to learn that only one person in fifty will escape some
form of rheumatic complaint in their lifetime, and that one child in every
thousand suffers from a juvenile form of arthritis.
With statistics like these it is good to know that The Arthritis &
Rheumatism Council is working to find the cause and cure of rheumatic
disease.
The Council is a charity and this handbook could not have been
produced without the voluntary donations their work depends on.
Rheumatic disease causes so much pain and disability we need to
fight it. You can do your bit by completing and returning the response form
at the back of the booklet.
X?
BARRY SHEENE
□ Working For
Your Benefit
The booklet you’re reading has
been produced free because of donations
given to The Arthritis & Rheumatism
Council.
The ARC is the only national charity
in the UK raising money solely to further
research and knowledge into these all too
common diseases.
The ARC raises over £6 million a
year for rheumatology research in
hospitals, universities and laboratories
throughout the country.
This is practical research into the
causes and treatment of arthritis which
will ultimately be to your benefit and
that of fellow sufferers.
□ Arthritis And
Rheumatism The Facts
ARC practical research benefits all
sufferers.
Rheumatic disease is the greatest
single cause of disability in the UK today.
It affects about 20 million people.
and between six and eight million of
those are significantly affected.
One child in every thousand suffers
from a juvenile form of arthritis.
Only one person in 50 will escape
some form of rheumatic complaint in
their lifetime.
Arthritis costs around 88 million
lost working days each year.
□ The Response
Research helps for better understanding of
rheumatic diseases.
The Arthritis and Rheumatism
Council is. . .
. . . sponsoring a major effort to find the
cause and cure of these painful diseases
(there are over 200 of them)
. . . funding 160 short-term projects in
hospitals, universities and laboratories
.. . supporting 15 research units involved
in long-term investigation into rheumatic
diseases
. . . circulating regular reports on practical
aspects of treating patients with rheumatic
diseases to all NHS family doctors and
some hospital doctors
. . . funding 21 appointments of professors
and lecturers in rheumatology at medical
schools to make sure the next generation
of doctors receives a better education
about the rheumatic diseases and their
treatment
. . . supporting bursaries and scholarships
to help physiotherapists, occupational
therapists and other paramedical staff
develop their knowledge and treatment
of rheumatic patients
and, of course, producing booklets,
leaflets and factsheets like this
(a complete list is available on request)
explaining in detail many of the common
rheumatic diseases and helping patients
learn how to cope with daily living.
□ The Good
News
With a few adaptations to his equipment
this photographer is able to continue his
profession.
Steady progress is being made
through ARC-funded research. More is
now known about the diseases, and some
are now controllable. Advances in treat
ment, therapy and joint replacement
have been significant. There’s no need
for most rheumatic patients to suffer
unduly or have their lives unnecessarily
restricted by their disease.
’he Bad News
The amount of research we can
support and, as a result, the success of
our fight against arthritis and rheumatism
is limited to the amount of money
we raise.
ARC receives no State aid at all.
We rely entirely on voluntary
contributions.
The need is urgent and the task
is great.
■ How You Can
Hein
By giving - every little helps; and
by telling others about the work ARC is
doing to improve the life of arthritis and
rheumatism sufferers.
Out of every £1.00 given, only 3p
goes on administration so your money
will be well used.
There is a real hope that arthritis
and rheumatism can be beaten. You can
be part of this battle. We need your
assistance.
ARC Branch member on the right recruiting a
new member.
50th Anniversary
1986 sees ARC’S 50th anniversary. That means 50 years of
achievement. The advances made through research have been
considerable. We now understand the mechanisms of arthritis
much better, and the result has been significantly improved
treatments for sufferers. Not only that but more people than ever
before are able to keep the diseases at bay.
We are determined to continue our research until we reach
our ultimate goal - the complete elimination of the disease. Using
our anniversary celebrations as a spring board we are launching
an all-out effort to raise the £23 million we will need in grants to
make that goal possible by maintaining the current level of
research.
You can help by sending ARC a special 50th anniversary
contribution.
PLEASE TEAR ALONG THE PERFORATION
HELP US IMPROVE OUR SERVICE
It would be helpful to us (and ultimately to you and other fellow-sufferers) if you
could complete this questionnaire and send it to the ARC at the address below.
Has this booklet been
Is this booklet:
Does this booklet contain:
Simply tick the appropriate box
| helpful
| easy to understand
2] not particularly useful
a bit too complicated
2] not worth reading
all you wanted to know
2] some things you wanted to know
2] difficult to understand
nothing of help or interest
Are there still unanswered questions? Please let us know if you think so:
Please send the completed questionnaire to:
The Arthritis and Rheumatism Council, 41 Eagle Street, London WC1R 4AR.
The Appeals Secretary for Scotland, 29 Forth Street, Edinburgh EH1 3LE.
Thank you
RESPONSE FORM
Please send the completed form to:
The General Secretary
The Arthritis & Rheumatism Council
41 Eagle Street
London WC1R 4AR
(please tick)
OR
The Appeals Secretary
for Scotland
29 Forth Street
Edinburgh EH1 3LE
I enclose my contribution of £
50th anniversary appeal.
* to the
I would like a Deed of Covenant. Please send me details.
I would like to subscribe to ARC Magazine. 1 enclose £1.00 for the first three issues.
I I Please send me details how I may be able to help the ARC in my neighbourhood.
I wish to pay my donation by Access l*E?D or Visa® □*.
My credit card Number is
Signature
NAME—___________________________________________________________________________________
ADDRESS
Post Code
•CHEQUES OR POSTAL ORDERS SHOULD BE MADE PAYABLE TO "A.R.C FOR RESEARCH" AND CROSSED
"ACCOUNT PAYEE ONLY”. YOU MAY ALSO USE YOUR CREDIT CARD TO DONATE BY TELEPHONE
DURING OFFICE HOURS ON 01-405 8572.
IA/2/86
THE ARTHRITIS & RHEUMATISM COUNCIL. 41 EAGLE STREET. LONDON WC1R 4AR
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