Patient/caregiver was educated on foods to be avoided by individuals with arthritis as follows: Processed bread and products Refined bread and products, such as, white bread and pasta, are also known to aggravate inflammation of joints, leading to exacerbation of arthritis in individuals with history. Processing of these foods can lead to generation of some chemicals known to contribute to or aggravate inflammation and joint pains. Avoiding/minimizing consumption of white bread and pasta can be [...]

Patient/caregiver was educated on the role of exercise in rheumatoid arthritis as follows: Exercise helps to reduce pain & tenderness in the joint, which results in improved participation in the exercise schedule. Exercise helps to improve strength & stability in the inflamed joint. This results in improved balance and coordination. Improved strength and balance helps improve posture, which contributes to reducing stress on the inflamed joint. Increased stability and improved balance in the inflamed joint [...]

Patient/caregiver was educated on the measures to manage symptoms and prevent exacerbation of rheumatoid arthritis as follows: Compliance with exercise Exercise helps to reduce pain & tenderness, improve strength & stability in the joint. Do not over do on the exercise recommended to a point that it leads to exacerbation of pain due to overuse of the joint involved. Check with your physician or therapist regarding recommendations for exercise to your inflamed joint. Observe compliance [...]

Patient/caregiver was educated on the measures to manage symptoms and prevent exacerbation of rheumatoid arthritis as follows: Control of pain and inflammation Observe compliance with intake of pain medications, as prescribed. Individuals could be prescribed a wide range of pain medications, depending on the intensity of pain and severity of symptoms. In the initial stages of arthritis, individuals could be prescribed over-the-counter pain killers, such as, Tylenol. As the condition progresses and worsens, individuals could [...]

Patient/caregiver was educated on the complications of unresolved rheumatoid arthritis as follows: Bone death and infection Chronic inflammatory activity in the joint with swelling can compromise blood supply to the joint. Blood supply to any tissue is important for nutrient and oxygen supply. Reduced blood supply to the joint can lead to compromised nutrient and oxygen supply to the bone ends involved. Over a period of time, compromised nutrient and oxygen supply can result in [...]