Nearly 3 million Americans suffer from rheumatoid arthritis, a painful, incurable connective-tissue disease that attacks the hands and feet as well as the joints and may lead to deformities and permanent disabilities. Rheumatoid Arthritis: Plan to Win offers an inspiring, scientifically based game plan for minimizing the effects of this chronic illness, and ultimately, achieving optimal health. Here is the definitive resource for practical strategies and emotional support, whether you need help controlling pain, are concerned about medication side-effects, or want to locate a reliable RA news source or support group on the Internet. Helpful chapters detail the latest therapies, special dietary and exercise needs of people with RA, how to deal with arthritis at home and in the workplace, prepare for surgery, pregnancy and childbirth, enjoy healthy sexuality, use the mind-body connection to control symptoms, make informed decisions about alternative medicine, and perhaps most important, how to build a healthcare team and maintain excellent communication and working relationships with that team. By using this book as a starting point and a 24/7 reference guide, people with RA will be better equipped to form an effective plan of action, making well-informed decisions about their health along the way, and greatly enhancing their ability to live happy, productive lives. Cheryl Koehn, who was an Olympic-caliber athlete when she developed RA, is a leading advocate and spokesperson for people with arthritis. Together with her co-authors, John Esdaile, MD, and science writer Taysha Palmer, Koehn provides a wealth of information and practical advice, assembled from thousands of research papers as well as from her personal experiences with this debilitating disease.

Cheryl Koehn used to soak her feet in ice water each morning to relieve the pain and swelling enough to walk. Now she runs a consulting business, skates, and skis. In Rheumatoid Arthritis: Plan to Win, she offers medical, complementary, and self-help strategies to manage the disease and minimize its effects.

Koehn and coauthors John Esdaile, M.D., head of the Division of Rheumatology at University of British Columbia and Scientific Director of the Arthritis Research Centre of Canada, and health/science writer Taysha Palmer, take you step-by-step through understanding and managing RA. You learn how to choose a healthcare team, understand prescription medications, and use an array of complementary therapies. You learn exercises that relieve pain and stiffness and dietary recommendations, including herbs.

Living with RA involves emotional upheaval, and the authors offer coping strategies for expressing emotions, keeping a positive attitude, and maintaining a sense of control. A chapter on relationships and sexuality will help you relate to loved ones and includes graphic illustrations of sexual positions that minimize strain on hips, knees, and spine. Another chapter presents tips for making the home and workplace more RA friendly. Recommended for people with RA who want to live their lives fully. --Joan Price