BOOK ARTHRITIS FOR DUMMIES

Arthritis for Dummies

by Barry Fox

Editorial Reviews

Product Description
Whether it’s a bit a creaky stiffness in the hip, aching knees that make walking from room to room a chore, or inflammation that settles in several joints, arthritis knocks on just about everyone’s door sooner or later. While there’s no definitive cure for arthritis, there’s no reason for you to spend your days sitting at home in an easy chair. You can take charge of your condition, control your symptoms, and get on with your life through a combination of medical care, simple lifestyle changes, and good old common sense.

Arthritis For Dummies is for anyone who suffers from the various forms of arthritis or arthritic symptoms. In this easy-to-understand guide, you’ll discover how to recognize the signs of arthritis, what the major causes are, who is most likely to get it, and what to expect from your doctor. Whether you have osteoarthritis (the most common form), rheumatoid arthritis, infectious arthritis, bursitis, scleroderma, or one of the other forms of the disease, you'll see how to:

• Choose the right doctor for you
• Recognize the myths and scams
• Fight the pain with foods and supplements
• “Oil” your joints with exercise
• Control your stress, aggression, and depression
• Determine whether or not you need surgery

Like the millions of others living with arthritis, you want to take an active part in managing your disease and improving day-to-day living. In this book, you’ll find the most up-to-date information on the latest treatments—from physical therapy and magnets to surgical and homeopathic options—as well as hands-on diet and exercise plans that can help reduce your symptoms. You’ll explore the best-of-the-best of many different healing systems, ranging from standard Western medicine to Eastern healing methods to more unconventional therapies, including:

• Acupuncture
• Aromatherapy
• Ayurvedic medicine
• Bee venom therapy
• Folk medicine
• Herbs and homeopathy
• Hypnotherapy
• Reflexology

Amazon.com Review
As early as Arthritis for Dummies's first page--a yellow tear card entitled "Cheat Sheet"--you know you're getting useful information. The cheat sheet gives quickie tips on seven helpful topics: "Before Agreeing to Surgery," "10 Ways to Manage Arthritis," "10 Arthritis Myths to Watch out For," "10 Super Foods to Help Combat Arthritis," "10 Crackerjack New Treatments," "Talking to Your Doctor About Alternative Therapies," and "Identifying False Claims for Alternative Therapies." Arthritis for Dummies explores all of these topics, and many more, in detail.

The authors, husband-and-wife team Barry Fox, Ph.D. (The Arthritis Cure, The 20/30 Fat & Fiber Diet Plan) and Nadine Taylor, M.S., R.D., a registered dietician, explain the different forms of arthritis and arthritis-related conditions and how to work effectively with your doctor. Most of the rest of the book is an easy-to-read guidebook to dozens of treatments and pain-management strategies. Rather than discussing arthritis treatment from a purely Western medicine approach, the authors also detail Eastern healing systems, lifestyle strategies (including illustrations of exercises), and alternative therapies. Everything from Ayurveda to Zyloprim is in here. A drawback is that the authors do not always differentiate between remedies that are backed by scientific evidence and those that have only anecdotal support. --Joan Price