On Arthritis

At To Your Health on April 6, Christopher P. FitzMorris, D.O., M.P.A. introduced the causes and symptoms of arthritis to an interested group. There are several types of arthritis, but Dr. FitzMorris concentrated on osteo and rheumatoid arthritis.

Osteoarthritis is by far the most common type, resulting mostly from wear and tear or injury. Symptoms include pain, stiffness, and swelling of joints, which may be worse first thing in the morning or after sitting for awhile. Anti-inflammatories can help, but for severe arthritic pain, you should see your physician. Injections and drugs can relieve the symptoms.

More debilitating is rheumatoid arthritis, which usually presents between the ages of 30 and 50. Diagnosis and treatment by a physician are required.  While the causes of rheumatoid arthritis are still under investigation, there are drugs which can alter the disease, not just treat the symptoms.

Whatever kind of arthritis you may have, take control of the situation! Discuss self-management strategies with your primary care provider. Research credible sites, such as the Arthritis Foundation (www.arthritis.org).  Manage your weight. Eat a healthy diet. Remain active as much as possible. If you are not active, begin a gentle exercise program, remembering that small increments provide the most benefit.  Use assistive devices (cane or walker) when necessary.  And perhaps most important, form a support team of your medical professional, your friends, and family.  But remember, you are the captain!

To Your Health team members shown with speaker:  Linda McDonough, Judy Whitman, Jan Stowell, Dr. Christopher FitzMorris, Donna Coe and Rosabelle Tifft.

For more information about Western Mountains Senior College visit our website at http://sad44.maineadulted.org/western_mountains_senior_college

The "What's New?" Tab

We now have a “What’s New?” tab at the top of the blog. As new information becomes available, we'll announce it in this new tab. For example, two Brown Bag Lunch discussions have recently been planned, and they’ve been added to the Public Events listings. But you wouldn’t know about these new events unless we announced them somewhere. That’s where the new tab comes in. Whenever you click on “What’s New?” you’ll see the latest updates. It’s up at the top between the “Home” and “Membership/Registration Form” tabs. Give it a try! (To get back here click on the "Home" tab.)
 

 

For more information about Western Mountains Senior College visit our website at http://sad44.maineadulted.org/western_mountains_senior_college

Takeaways from “Ask the Pharmacist”

On Thursday, March 23 two local pharmacists, Scott Fraser, RPh and Retief Orffer, RPh spoke at To Your Health’s “Ask the Pharmacist” presentation. More than 30 people attended. Following are several points that they made:

• A varied diet will supply most necessary vitamins and minerals, and it is better to get them from food. It is difficult to get enough Vitamin D and calcium, so supplementing these is beneficial. But avoid megadoses!
• Ask your doctor for a printout of all the medications you are on and take this to your pharmacist. Your doctor and your pharmacist commonly discuss issues of drug interaction, but your pharmacist is not usually notified when you are taken off a drug. This list will keep him or her up to date. 
• When you visit your doctor, take a list of questions so you don’t forget. Bring a friend or family member with you - two sets of ears are better than one. Ask how long you will be on a medication, if you are starting at the lowest dose, and if there is a lower-priced generic equivalent available.
• Your pharmacist is the only health care professional you can see and speak with without an appointment!

Scott Fraser and Retief Orffer offered three handouts - “Patient Guide for Food and Drug Interactions,” “Vitamins and Minerals” and “How to Interact with Your Pharmacist.” If you were unable to attend, copies are available in the Adult Education office at Telstar High School.

For more information about Western Mountains Senior College visit our website at http://sad44.maineadulted.org/western_mountains_senior_college