Health Expert Christine Miller shares health management news and commentary at HealthCentral.com. HealthCentral.com is one of the top health destinations on the Web, with more than 35 condition-specific, wellness and general health Web properties. http://www.healthcentral.com/profiles/c/38/index http://www.healthcentral.com/profiles/c/38/rss self application/xml en-us 15 120 19 http://www.healthcentral.com/images/hc_logo_sm.gif http://www.healthcentral.com/profiles/c/38/index http://www.healthcentral.com/rheumatoid-arthritis/c/38/57914/splints Tue, 10 Feb 2009 00:45:00 -0500 Christine Miller In my last post, I wrote about the benefits and drawbacks of wearing splints and tried to give some suggestions for complying with a splinting regimen.  I also thought that it might be helpful to talk about splinting for kids, and from a kid's perspective.    Splinting is a major treatment modality for kids.  While it offers some of the same benefits as for adults, like joint protection and improved function, splints also... http://www.healthcentral.com/rheumatoid-arthritis/c/38/57914/splints http://www.healthcentral.com/rheumatoid-arthritis/c/38/57254/bearable Wed, 28 Jan 2009 02:44:00 -0500 Christine Miller The wrist is one of the most common joints to be affected by rheumatoid arthritis.  In fact, about 75% of people with RA have arthritis in the wrists, marked by pain, inflammation, joint structure damage and loss of range of motion.  Wrist splints, like splints for other joints, help stabilize the joint.  There are many types of wrist splints, both for activity or complete rest.  They can be made of fabric or harder materials... http://www.healthcentral.com/rheumatoid-arthritis/c/38/57254/bearable http://www.healthcentral.com/rheumatoid-arthritis/c/38/56164/severe Mon, 19 Jan 2009 10:45:00 -0500 Christine Miller             Do women really have more severe arthritis than men?  Are we more open or honest when answering questionnaires?  Or are we just more likely to complain?  Those are the questions raised for me by a research study published in the January issue of Arthritis Research and Therapy (and the many subsequent news articles written this... http://www.healthcentral.com/rheumatoid-arthritis/c/38/56164/severe http://www.healthcentral.com/rheumatoid-arthritis/c/38/54191/stories Fri, 02 Jan 2009 16:14:00 -0500 Christine Miller There was a huge amount of groundbreaking research and news to choose from.  So I have grouped my choices into categories, rather than a standard top ten list.  These are my choices, including the ones I think are the most exciting, the hottest topics, or the most thought provoking.   New drugs in development In August, Pipex Pharmaceuticals, Inc. acquired dnaJP1, an oral, once-daily RA medication that is currently in... http://www.healthcentral.com/rheumatoid-arthritis/c/38/54191/stories http://www.healthcentral.com/rheumatoid-arthritis/c/38/53208/ahead Tue, 23 Dec 2008 13:04:00 -0500 Christine Miller             A study published in the December issue of the Annals of Rheumatic Disease describe what many people with who have had RA may already know; that new drugs and more aggressive treatment with these drugs has improved the health status of people with RA over the last 15 years.  The Norwegian study surveyed almost 1,000 people with RA four times over a period of 10 years... http://www.healthcentral.com/rheumatoid-arthritis/c/38/53208/ahead http://www.healthcentral.com/rheumatoid-arthritis/c/38/51252/discount Wed, 10 Dec 2008 16:39:00 -0500 Christine Miller Vitamin E and vitamin C are both antioxidants, which are thought to protect against damage caused by reactive O2 radicals or free radicals.  Free radicals are substances that can harm cells, tissues and organs and help cause damage in inflamed tissues and joints. Fruits and vegetables are rich in both, and it has been shown that people who eat plenty of these foods may have a lower risk of heart disease, cancer and other conditions. ... http://www.healthcentral.com/rheumatoid-arthritis/c/38/51252/discount http://www.healthcentral.com/rheumatoid-arthritis/c/38/50004/inspired Mon, 24 Nov 2008 03:22:00 -0500 Christine Miller Read Part 1: Eating Whole Grains to Reduce Inflammation and Manage Weight              Whole grains like brown rice or wheat berries are great replacements for breads and white rice in salads, stuffing and casseroles.  For example, a festive holiday salad might be brown rice or wheat berries with sliced almonds and pomegranate seeds.  Or try steel-cut oatmeal in place... http://www.healthcentral.com/rheumatoid-arthritis/c/38/50004/inspired http://www.healthcentral.com/rheumatoid-arthritis/c/38/50003/1-manage Mon, 24 Nov 2008 03:18:00 -0500 Christine Miller Read Part 2: Jazz Up Holiday Cooking with Whole Grains   Looking for something new and interesting to liven up holiday meals or take to a holiday party?  Want to hold off those holiday pounds?  Worried about holiday stress and activity causing a flare of RA? Try adding whole grains to your daily and special menus this holiday season.   Why?  Whole grains do some amazing things.  Eating whole grains has been... http://www.healthcentral.com/rheumatoid-arthritis/c/38/50003/1-manage http://www.healthcentral.com/rheumatoid-arthritis/c/38/48882/walking Sat, 15 Nov 2008 14:49:00 -0500 Christine Miller Rheumatoid arthritis frequently affects the joints of the foot and ankle; commonly the joints that connect the toes to the foot (called the metatarsophalangeal joint or MTP joint).  This is what we usually call the ball of the foot.  And it can also affect the smaller joints of the toes.  Similar to other joints, RA can cause synovitis in the MTP joints, causing pain, swelling and joint erosion and deformity eventually making it... http://www.healthcentral.com/rheumatoid-arthritis/c/38/48882/walking http://www.healthcentral.com/rheumatoid-arthritis/c/38/47078/achieve Mon, 10 Nov 2008 10:19:00 -0500 Christine Miller A news article posted on Health Central this week discussed new research conducted by The Ohio State University and the Research Institute at Columbus Children's Hospital finding that children with juvenile idiopathic arthritis seem to attain a level of education and occupation as young adults similar to that of their unaffected peers.                The researchers studied... http://www.healthcentral.com/rheumatoid-arthritis/c/38/47078/achieve