
	Medical Edge


	About

	Television

	Radio

	Newspaper

		Participating Newspapers

	Magazine

	Contact


	About Mayo Clinic

	Make an Appointment at Mayo Clinic

Medical Edge Newspaper Column from Mayo Clinic

HAVING RHEUMATOID ARTHRITIS DOESN’T MEAN YOU CAN’T BE FIT

DEAR MAYO CLINIC: I was very active physically until I developed rheumatoid arthritis a few years ago. Pain in my large joints (elbows, shoulders, hips, knees) has brought my lifestyle to a halt. Medication helps with daily tasks, but I can no longer run or weight-train. I feel my body is turning to mush. What can I do to get a good workout? — Norman, Okla.

ANSWER: Although the effects of rheumatoid arthritis vary greatly among individuals, most people with the condition can, and should, still exercise to reap the health and quality-of-life benefits of being physically fit.

As you have discovered, running is not recommended because it puts too much stress on your joints. The good news is that fitness doesn’t require this type of high-impact exercise.

Try low-impact activities instead, such as swimming or water aerobics. If you prefer your exercise on dry land, walking or biking can be good alternatives. Keep in mind, though, that walking involves more impact on your joints than biking or water exercises, and may not be appropriate, depending on the severity of your rheumatoid arthritis.

No matter what you choose, start slow. Begin by exercising about 10 minutes a day. If, after a week, you have not experienced pain or swelling in your joints, add a few more minutes. A good goal to work toward is exercising for 30 minutes most days.

Weight training can still be a part of your routine, too. The key is to start with low weights and progress very slowly. Begin with one-pound weights, or try resistance bands at the lowest resistance available. If, after several days, you have not experienced problems, increase the amount of weight or resistance slightly.

Never exercise through pain. If you feel any warmth, swelling or pain in your joints as you exercise, stop.

The book “Mayo Clinic Fitness for EveryBody” can provide you with more information about exercising with a chronic condition. It’s a step-by-step guide to getting fit and staying fit, regardless of your age or physical condition.

Before you begin any exercise program, talk with your physician. He or she can assist you in finding activities that fit your situation and allow you to once again enjoy an active lifestyle.

— Diane Dahm, M.D., Orthopedics, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minn.

Additional Resources:
Treatment of Rheumatoid Arthritis
Appointment Information
More Information on Rheumatoid Arthritis

READERS: Are you afraid of dogs (cynophobia), doctors (iatrophobia) or enclosed spaces (claustrophobia)?

Many things and situations can cause anxiety, nervousness or fright. For most people, the feelings are manageable and pass relatively quickly. But if an irrational fear (a phobia) interferes with your daily life, it’s time to seek help. Anxiety disorders rarely disappear and may grow worse without appropriate treatment. Unchecked, phobias can lead to social isolation, depression or substance abuse.

But effective treatments are available that may help you to keep your fear in check.

— Cognitive behavior therapy: First-line treatment for many phobias is cognitive behavior therapy. You and your therapist work together to help you identify and correct thinking patterns that lead to irrational fears.

— Behavior therapy: Working with a therapist, you practice gradually confronting the feared object or situation over time. The goal is to gradually become more skilled at coping with these situations.

— Medications: For many people, drugs aren’t as effective as cognitive behavior therapy. They may be used to help reduce anxiety or the signs and symptoms of anxiety. Medications include antidepressants, anti-anxiety medications and beta blockers. These medications work to manage all types of anxiety.

If you have a specific phobia and want to avoid side effects from medications, it’s best to target the specific phobias with therapy aimed at that fear.

Additional Resources:
Treatment of Irrational Phobias
- -

Medical Edge from Mayo Clinic is an educational resource and doesn’t replace regular medical care. To e-mail a question, go to www.mayoclinic.org, or write: Medical Edge from Mayo Clinic, c/o TMS, 2225 Kenmore Ave., Suite 114, Buffalo, N.Y., 14207. For health information, visit www.mayoclinic.com.