The term arthritis is used to describe more than 100 kinds of diseases and conditions. Arthritis often attacks the joints and can develop suddenly or gradually.
Arthritis can cause kidney disease, blindness, and early death. Arthritis causes pain, stiffness, and swelling of joints and tissues.
Common kinds of arthritis are osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, fibromyalgia, gout, ankylosing spondylitis, juvenile arthritis, systemic lupus erythematosus (also known as Lupus or SLE), and scleroderma. To view information on these kinds of arthritis go to Arthritis Foundation.
Life Savers - Programs For You!
| Organ & Tissue Donation Learn how to join the Missouri organ and tissue donor registry. |
|---|---|
| Show Me Healthy Women Early detection saves lives. Get breast and cervical cancer screenings. |
| WISEWOMAN Get access to health screenings and lifestyle education that can reduce the risk of heart disease and stroke. |
| Missouri Tobacco Quitline Access to counseling, information and referrals for smokers who want to quit using tobacco. |
Training - Leaders - Volunteers
Training for Leaders
Several programs benefit individuals with arthritis that need leaders. These include:
- Arthritis Foundation Self-Help Course;
- Chronic Disease Self-Management Program (CDSMP);
- Arthritis Foundation Exercise Program; and
- Arthritis Foundation Aquatics Program.
If you want to lead a class in your community at your local church, community or senior center, etc., please contact your nearest Regional Arthritis Center or local chapter of the Arthritis Foundation. Become a leader and start a class in your community today.
Volunteer
Get Involved! It's fun, makes you feel good, and you can help individuals in your community. Each year we rely on people just like you to help improve the quality of life and reduce disability for individuals with arthritis and osteoporosis.
There are many ways you can volunteer and help others - teaching classes, leading support groups, participating on committees/boards, working in the office, starting a walking club, participating in state and national events, etc. Contact your nearest Regional Arthritis Center or local chapter of the Arthritis Foundation to volunteer today. You can make a difference.
Forms
Related Links
Arthritis
- American College of Rheumatology
- Arthritis Foundation
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
- John Hopkins Arthritis
- Mayo Clinic Arthritis
- National Institutes of Arthritis & Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases
- NIH Arthritis
Assistive Devices
Clinical Trials
Nutrition
It is recommended that all people consult their physician, registered dietitian, certified diabetes educator, or other health care professional for nutritional counseling.
- Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics
- Food and Nutrition Information Center (FNIC)
- Nutrition Action Healthletter
Research
- Creighton University Osteoporosis Research Center
- John Hopkins
- St. Louis University
- University of Missouri - Columbia
- Washington University