Thursday, January 7, 2010

Common Myths about Rheumatoid Arthritis

With such a tiny percentage of Americans living with RA, approximately 1.3 million adults according to NIAMS, it is no wonder that the general public knows so little about the disease and believes the many myths floating. So let’s get started dispelling some of the most common myths.

Myth #1: Arthritis is only for OLD people.

Myth #2: Arthritis is arthritis - It’s all the same thing, right?

Myth #3: In rheumatoid arthritis, swollen joints are alway red and thus easy to diagnose.

Myth #4: You must wait until the pain is severe and your have serious joint problems before starting treatment for your RA.

Myth #5: All I have to worry about with RA are my joints; it doesn’t affect my health otherwise.

Myth #6: Painful, stiff joints from rheumatoid arthritis need to be rested most of the day and exercise is a "no-no" when you have RA.

Myth #7: Arthritis is caused by cold, wet weather.

Myth #8: Arthritis is caused by poor diet or specific substances such as aspartame.

Myth #9: If I have RA, my children are likely to get it as well.

Myth #10: Most people with rheumatoid arthritis end up in a wheelchair or nursing home because of the disease.


Read this post in its entirety:

Top Ten Common Myths about RA - Busted!!

2 comments:

  1. I have never known anyone with rheumatoid arthritis, I'm sure many people living in my home here are suffering from it. Your posts are very informative and will help me better understand the difficulties of my neighbors. Thank you.

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  2. My mom has RA and none of that is true of her either. She is a nurse and such a wiry old bird you would never know she had it. She refuses to let it control her.

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