Mayo Clinic Guide to Arthritis: Managing Joint Pain for an Active Life

by Lynne S. Peterson

A guide to living well with this common—and complex—condition from“one of the most reliable, respected health resources that Americans have” (Publishers Weekly).   From the doctors at Mayo Clinic—the top-ranked hospital in the country according to US News & World Report—this book is a complete guide to understanding and living with arthritis. Find the latest expertise on various forms of arthritis, medications and other treatment options, and self-care to successfully manage joint pain and stay active and independent.   If you have joint pain, you know it can lead to frustrating limitations in daily life. In fact, this complex group of joint diseases—osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, and many other forms—is the most common cause of disability in the United States. But living with it doesn’t have to mean sitting on the sidelines. This book offers the same expert knowledge that Mayo Clinic doctors, nurses and therapists use in caring for patients. Mayo Clinic Guide to   • Breaks down different forms of arthritis and joint pain to help you understand their causes, their signs and symptoms, and what each may mean for your health • Explores the latest in arthritis treatments, including new medications to slow or stop the disease, improved options for joint surgery, joint injections, and evidence-based guidance on pain control and integrative medicine • Provides practical tips for living with arthritis while exercising, traveling, or working • Offers useful advice on diet, mental health, and protecting your joints

Genres: Nonfiction, Health, Reference

601 pages, Kindle Edition

Published September 8, 2020

Reviews

[Mark · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a good book to get from your public library rather than purchase. It provides a comprehensive survey of arthritis; comprehensive in that the 20+ chapters seem to discuss most aspects of arthritis and joint inflammation, and survey in that many topics are covered in some detail, but not so extensively as to overwhelm.

There are many good graphics and photos to help explain the medical and technical aspects of the many types of arthritis and some to help with specific areas for improving flexibility. For instance, the pages showing various hand exercises in chapter 15 are worth remembering.

Other than those exercises, it doesn’t seem the type of book one would reference often. If you are exploring arthritis for the first time, this is a great introduction. If you are seeking general information on pain relievers, treatment or surgery options, check out the book from the library for those specific chapters.

[Sylvia · Rating 4 out of 5]

A good overview of everything arthritis. Nothing too in-depth, but resources at the end as to where to find more information.

[Joseph Sciuto · Rating 5 out of 5]

About a half a year ago I lost a childhood friend to Dementia. Like so many kids in the Bronx we grew up on basketball courts in a housing project called Parkchester. My friend was around 6ft. tall and built like a bull with broad shoulders that seemed like they could block out the sun. Needless to say, it was nearly impossible to box him out under the basket and grab a rebound.

He was diagnosed with dementia a few years back, and it moved rapidly through his brain and at the end, this mighty basketball warrior, looked like a skeleton.

I had read many articles on Alzheimers' and Dementia and when talking to a close friend of mine whose mother was suffering from dementia I told her about a new procedure that could stop Dementia if diagnosed early enough. The only problem was that the procedure and research I told her about dealt with Depression, not dementia. When it was pointed out to me by a doctor friend I felt terrible and since then I have not been able to get in touch with my friend whose mother is suffering from dementia.

My false claim has haunted me ever since. I was so sure I was giving my friend a slice of hope in an otherwise dark arena.

Since then, I have made it a priority to get to know as much about Alzheimers' and dementia as I possibly could and I started by reading the Mayo Clinic's book on "Alzheimers' and Dementia" written by Jonathan Graff-Radford, M.D. and Angela M. Lunde, M. A.

The book is a comprehensive look at the differences between Alzheimer's disease and the different types of dementia. It is guide on how caregivers could best approach and care for loved ones suffering from Alzheimers' and dementia. It is a carefully laid out approach...starting from before a person is diagnosed, to the different stages the patient will go through, and how caregivers could best deal with the grief, sorrow, and guilt associated with taken care of a loved one suffering from dementia or Alzheimers'.

I strongly recommend this book.

[Lili Kim · Rating 4 out of 5]

Informative book on arthritis, and for RA in my case. Notes I took:

-check complete blood count. Low red blood cell count (anemia) is often associated with RA
-Disease Modifying Antirheumatic Drugs, aka DMARDs can cause liver, lung, and kidney damage. Examples of DMARDs are plaquenil and methotrexate
-Lab tests:
Anti-CCP: specific RA test
ANA: immune system creating antibodies to attack your own tissue
C-Reactive Protein: measures inflammation in your body via a substance produced by the liver that increases with inflammation in the body
Creatinine test: shows how well your kidneys are functioning; creatinine is a normal waste product of the muscles in the blood
Erythrocyte sedimentation rate: measures how fast red blood cells fall and settle, like sediment; shows the amount of inflammation
Hematocrit (HCT) and Hemoglobin (HGB): measures red blood cells; can also show anemia
Liver Enzyme Tests: to show how the liver’s doing
Rheumatoid Factor (RF): level of an antibody (RF) that can attack healthy tissue in your body
White blood cell count: a low # shows your body can have a harder time fighting an infection

[Grazyna Nawrocka · Rating 5 out of 5]

This very thorough compendium of how to treat arthritism is indispensable to people struggling with this problem. The book lists and evaluates procedures, overviews medical treatments and supplements. It is very well researched, objective and helpful in dealing with the problem as well as pointing your family doctor into some solutions. The gives also many ideas about dealing with the pain.

[Neeli · Rating 4 out of 5]

This comprehensive guide includes jargon-free explanations of the various types of arthritis, treatments. It also provides practical advice on how to manage the condition on a daily basis. I found the sections on Integrative Medicine and caring for your mental health to be most useful.

[Natalie F · Rating 4 out of 5]

The book is detailed but boring. I skipped the section discussing possible treatments and enjoyed a section on exercises to promote joint health and flexibility. It's good as a comprehensive encyclopedia to check as needed.

[Chiarra Banque welsh · Rating 3 out of 5]

A beginner's book for understanding arthritis. However, it is not in-depth in its subject. This book is for the general public, not for professionals. Medical students already knew the topics covered in this book.

[Tamera · Rating 4 out of 5]

a very easy to understand book about different arthritis's and how it affects people. It breaks down medical issues in easy-to-understand explanations. highly recommended if starting research into arthritis problems.

[Ronni]

Waste of money. Absolutely nothing you don’t know or can’t find in minutes on Google.
I really expected more from the Mayo Clinic.
Pathetic book

[Darla R McCollim · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great information

All the basic information you need that your doctor doesn't have the time to tell you. Also great to reread to remind me that this is my hands.

[Cindy · Rating 2 out of 5]

Basic

[Maria · Rating 4 out of 5]

Lots of helpful information!

[Gabi · Rating 4 out of 5]

Extremely informative and I thought the second half in particular was full of very practical advice, though it did not translate well to audio and was very repetitive.

[Harley Quinn · Rating 5 out of 5]

5★: COMPREHENSIVE & A MUST-READ/LISTEN FOR ANYONE DEALING WITH ARTHRITIS. I chose this book because several family members have multiple types of arthritis, I already have some, and some of my friends are coming into it also. It truly is a specialty and it’s crucial that you find a good doctor. So many variables!!! This book is such a valuable resource, I’m considering buying a hard copy for reference. Published three years ago in 2020, it currently has a 4.05-star average by 80 peeps.

[Mark Zodda · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good overview of the topic, but as you would expect from a health care provider, the standard advice is to consult your doctor who will guide you through everything you need to know and do. It doesn't come up with any real advice as to what you can do today other than talk to your doctor, try to enroll in a clinical trial and maybe there will be some things that you can do to slow or mitigate the effects of the diseases. I still don't know what those things are.

[Ruth · Rating 4 out of 5]

Horrible book to need to read, but very informative and helpful. Alzheimer's is a terrible disease.