Adaptive Eating Utensils for Rheumatoid Arthritis

I wrote this article in response to a request for information. If you have hand deformities resulting from rheumatoid arthritis, you might have trouble hanging on to, well, everything, including eating utensils. This article, Adaptive Eating Utensils for Rheumatoid Arthritis, will give you some ideas for how to adapt meals. I tried to write it to give inexpensive, around the house ideas in addition to utensils available for purchase, as I know that health problems can zap the ol' bank account and not everyone can go out and buy new silverware. I also know that sometimes it just takes a quick and easy fix to solve the problem and a simple placemat might make the difference. Sometimes you, however, have to buy adapted utensils, and I have given resources for those also. Click on the title link to read the article.

Facing Arthritis Blog

If you scroll down on the right hand side bar my blog links, you will find a blog called Facing Arthritis. This blog is authored by Judith Lautner and is about her management of her arthritis by following the techniques in the book Arthritis RX. She is trying to avoid NSAIDs and other medications and opting for exercise, diet, and alternative management methods. Her blog is an interesting read and might have some good ideas for anyone who is struggling with NSAIDs. I can also relate to her struggles with pain management, exercise, and motivation! Check out her blog through the link in the right side bar.

Arthritis and Cooking

Here's one of the most frustrating activities I run into with my arthritis, cooking. I can't count how many times I have to run to my husband with a jar, can or package I can't open because of my unstable fingers. And how about when my Good Grips jar opener broke after one too many torques? Aside from all of this, I really have adapted many of the ways I cook and I love my new KitchenAid mixer! It does all the work so I don't have to! Get one if you don't have one! Here's the article link, Arthritis and Cooking.

Exercise With Arthritis

Here's an article that we should all pay attention to, Exercise With Arthritis. I am just as bad as anybody on this one. It is so easy to just say, Oh, I hurt too much to go to aquatics class today, so I'm going to skip it. Guilty as charged! It's not a good thing to do. If you have arthritis, you know that not exercising can make you stiffen up just as much as not taking your medications. So it's time for me to practice what I preach, and time for you to read this article and get off the couch!

Overview of Carpal Tunnel Syndrome

I jumped to carpal tunnel syndrome during this arthritis series as it commonly occurs secondary to arthritis. The best cure for carpal tunnel syndrome, I found out, is to sit around and do absolutely nothing for 3 months. My ex grandfather-in-law did this and his symptoms completely disappeared. (I'm not kidding - he really did absolutely nothing.) Of course, this is not a practical approach for most people. I hope this article, Overview of Carpal Tunnel Syndrome, will help explain carpal tunnel syndrome and why so many people who do not work at repetitive motion jobs get the condition.

Arthritis and House Cleaning

This next article in my arthritis series, Arthritis and House Cleaning, addresses issues that are similar to those in the last post, Arthritis and Home Maintenance. The difference is that the tasks involved are focused on every day cleaning chores, but the principles are the same. Anyone who has arthritis and has to run a household should find these techniques useful. If you pace yourself and adapt some tasks to make them easier, you will save yourself some pain and aggrevation. Click on the links to read the articles.

Arthritis and Home Maintenance

I have written these arthritis articles to provide some information for people on how to manage everyday activities in spite of pain and stiffness. Here's the next one, Arthritis and Home Maintenance. This article gives some advice on how to adapt activities like home repairs and yardwork. I hope it is valuable to all you do-it-yourselfers.

Here's one home maintenance item I wouldn't be without - a self propelled lawn mower. If you have one of these, try pushing it without the propulsion for a couple of turns, then turn on the propulsion. Notice the difference? My shoulders and wrists just can't take it unless the propulsion is on. Of course, for you lucky people with riders, this doesn't matter! If you have a condo, it really doesn't matter! Anyway, click on the link to read the article.