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This link tells you if you can treat arthritis.

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National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases

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Menu

What is it?

Rheumatoid arthritis is a disease that affects your joints. Joints are where two or more bones join together, such as at your knees, hips, or shoulders. Rheumatoid arthritis causes pain, swelling, and stiffness. If joints on one side of your body have rheumatoid arthritis, usually those joints on the other side do too. This disease often occurs in more than one joint. It can affect any joint in the body.

If you have this disease, you also may feel sick and tired, and sometimes get fevers.

Who gets it?

Anyone can get this disease, though it occurs more often in women. Rheumatoid arthritis often starts in middle age and is common in older people. But children and young adults can also get it.

What are the symptoms?

Symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis, which can range from mild to severe, include:

Tender, warm, swollen joints.

Swollen joints on both sides of the body, such as in both your right and left wrist.

Swollen joints often in the wrist and finger joints closest to the hand.

Swollen joints sometimes in other joints, including the neck, shoulders, elbows, hips, knees, ankles, and feet.

Feeling tired and having low energy.

Fevers.

Pain and stiffness lasting for more than 30 minutes in the morning or after a long rest.

Symptoms that last for many years.

What causes it?

Doctors don't know the exact cause of rheumatoid arthritis. They know that with this type of arthritis, a person's immune system attacks his or her own body tissues. The immune system normally attacks invaders to the body, such as a cold virus or bacteria. Researchers are learning many things about why and how this happens. Things that may cause rheumatoid arthritis are:

Genes (passed from parent to child).

Environmental factors.

Hormones.

Is there a test?

Rheumatoid arthritis can be hard to diagnose because:

There is no single test for the disease.

The symptoms can be the same as in other kinds of joint disease.

The full symptoms can take time to develop.

To diagnose rheumatoid arthritis, doctors use medical history, a physical exam, x-rays and other imaging tests, and lab tests.

How is it treated?

Doctors have many ways to treat rheumatoid arthritis. Treatment may involve:

Medicine.

Surgery.

Regular doctor visits.

Complementary therapies.

The goals of treatment are to:

Take away pain.

Reduce swelling.

Slow down or stop joint damage.

Help you feel better.

Help you stay active.

Medicine

Most people with rheumatoid arthritis take medicine. Drugs can be used for pain relief, to reduce swelling, and to stop the disease from getting worse. What a doctor prescribes depends on:

Your general health.

How serious the rheumatoid arthritis is.

How serious the rheumatoid arthritis may become.

How long you will take the drug.

How well the drug works.

Possible side effects.

Surgery

There are many kinds of surgery for people with a lot of joint damage. Surgery may:

Reduce your pain.

Help your joint work better.

Help you be able to do daily activities.

Surgery is not for everyone. Talk with your doctor to decide what is best for you.

Regular Doctor Visits

Regular medical care is important so doctors can:

See if the disease is getting worse.

See if drugs are helping.

Discuss any drug side effects.

Change treatment when needed.

Complementary Therapies

Special diets, vitamins, and other complementary therapies are sometimes suggested to treat rheumatoid arthritis.

Many of these treatments are not harmful, but they may not be well tested or have any real benefits.

Ask your doctor about things you can do to manage your pain, such as exercise programs, support groups, and education classes. Before starting any complementary therapy, talk with your doctor to make sure it isn't harmful.

Who treats it?

Several types of health care professionals may treat you, including:

Internist, who diagnoses and treats adults.

Rheumatologist, who treats arthritis and other disease of the bones, joints, and muscles.

Orthopaedists, who treat and perform surgery for bone and joint diseases.

Physical therapists, who help to improve joint function.

Occupational therapists, who teach ways to protect joints, reduce pain, perform activities of daily living, and conserve energy.

Dietitians, who teach ways to use a good diet to improve health and maintain a healthy weight.

Living With It

With rheumatoid arthritis, you can still lead a full life. Besides going to your doctor and therapists regularly, you can also do these activities to help reduce your symptoms.

Joint Care

Look for ways to reduce stress on your joints. Some people find wearing a splint around a painful joint for a short time helps. Talk with your doctor to see if a splint may work for you. In addition, some special equipment can help such as a zipper puller or long-handled shoe horn.

Rest

Keep a good balance between rest and activity. Try to take frequent breaks, especially when your symptoms are bothering you.

Lowering Stress

Try to lower your stress by taking the time to relax, doing hobbies you enjoy, or joining a support group. Support groups can reduce your stress by helping you to:

Learn about the disease.

Cope with your emotions about your symptoms.

Feel more control over the disease.

Build confidence.

A Healthy Diet

Eat a healthy diet which will help you manage your weight and get a variety of nutrients for overall health.

Other Medical Problems

You may also experience other health problems as a result of your rheumatoid arthritis. Be sure to talk with your doctor if any of these occur.

Many people with rheumatoid arthritis may also have:

Anemia, a condition in which your blood has a lower than normal count of red blood cells.

Depression.

Anxiety.

Other effects that occur less often include:

Neck pain.

Dry eyes.

Dry mouth.

Very rarely, people may have inflammation of their:

Blood vessels.

Lining of the lungs.

Sac enclosing the heart.

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NIAMS Health Information on Rheumatoid Arthritis

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Menu Rheumatoid arthritis is a disease that affects your joints. Joints are where two or more bones join together, such as at your knees, hips, or shoulders. Rheumatoid arthritis causes pain, swelling, and stiffness. If joints on one side of your body have rheumatoid arthritis, usually those joints on the other side do too.

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This article tell you some about what arthritis is. It also tells you some effects of arthritis on some of your other body parts.

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When you think of rheumatoid arthritis, or RA, you might think of stiff, painful joints. But you may not know that complications can occur in other parts of your body.

The same process that hurts your joints can also cause problems for your eyes, lungs, skin, heart, blood vessels, and other organs.

And, the medications you take for RA can also have side effects.

You can manage the complications of rheumatoid arthritis. Just make sure to pay attention to problems early and get the right treatment.

Effects on the Skin

You might develop lumps of tissue called rheumatoid nodules. They usually appear on your skin, especially on the elbows, forearms, heels, or fingers. They can appear suddenly, or grow slowly. The nodules may be a sign your rheumatoid arthritis is getting worse. They can also form in other areas of the body like the lungs and heart.

There's also something called vasculitis, which is rheumatoid arthritis-related inflammation of the blood vessels. It shows up as spots on the skin that look like ulcers.

Other types of skin problems related to RA may appear, so always let your doctor know about anything new that pops up or breaks out.

Eye Complications

Rheumatoid arthritis can affect the eyes in several ways. Inflammation of the episclera, a thin membrane that covers the white of your eye, is common. It's usually mild, but the eye may get red and painful. Scleritis, an inflammation of the white of the eye, is more serious and can lead to vision loss.

RA also puts you at risk for Sjogren's syndrome. This happens when your immune system attacks the glands that produce tears. It can make your eyes feel gritty and dry. If it's not treated, the dryness can cause infection and scarring of the conjunctiva, which is the membrane that covers the eye, and the cornea.

Pain in the Neck

Rheumatoid arthritis is known to cause pain in the joints of the fingers and wrists. But it can also affect other parts of your body, like your neck. If your neck feels stiff and you have pain when you turn your head, it could be your rheumatoid arthritis.

Some simple exercises might help. Talk to your doctor about the best exercises and treatments to help relieve your neck pain.

Continued

Heart and Blood Vessel Disease

Pericarditis, or inflammation of the membrane that surrounds your heart, usually develops during flares. Flares are times when your RA is worse.

If it happens a lot, pericarditis can cause the membrane to thicken and tighten. That can interfere with your heart's ability to work properly.

Rheumatoid nodules can also form on the heart and affect the way it functions.

Inflammation of the heart muscle itself, called myocarditis, is a rare complication, but sometimes happens.

Rheumatoid arthritis can put you at increased risk of cardiovascular disease. It also increases your risk of stroke.

Blood Disease

Rheumatoid arthritis can cause a reduction in red blood cells. This is called anemia. Anemia may cause fatigue, rapid heartbeat, shortness of breath, dizziness, leg cramps, and insomnia, or sleeplessness.

Thrombocytosis is another complication from RA. This happens when inflammation leads to high levels of platelets in your blood. Platelets help your blood clot in order to stop bleeding, but too many can lead to conditions including stroke, heart attack, or clots in your blood vessels.

An unusual complication with rheumatoid arthritis is Felty's syndrome. This is when your spleen is enlarged and your white blood cell count is low. It can increase your risk of lymphoma, a cancer of the lymph glands.

Lung Problems

Rheumatoid arthritis can cause inflammation in your lungs, which can lead to pleuritis (pleurisy), a condition that makes breathing painful.

Rheumatoid nodules can form in your lungs too. Usually, they're harmless, but can lead to problems such as a collapsed lung, coughing up blood, infection, or pleural effusion, which is fluid build-up between the lining of your lung and your chest cavity.

Interstitial lung diseases, which involve scarring of the lung tissue and pulmonary hypertension, a type of high blood pressure that damages arteries in the lung and heart, can also develop as complications from RA.

Infections

It's possible you may get more infections if you have rheumatoid arthritis. This could be from the condition itself or the immune-suppressing medicine that treats it.

Emotional Effects

Living every day with the pain of a chronic condition can take a toll. One recent study showed that almost 11% of people with rheumatoid arthritis had symptoms of depression. The more severe the RA, the more depression the participants felt.

If you have rheumatoid arthritis and feel anxious or depressed, discuss it with your doctor. There are many things he can offer that will help you feel better.

Continued

Protect Yourself from RA Complications

You may not think to mention problems like depression, chest pain, or dry eyes to the doctor who treats your rheumatoid arthritis, but you should. All these problems can be related to it.

You might need different doctors and different treatments to control your RA and to take care of any new problems that come up. Always discuss new symptoms with your doctor.

Sources

SOURCES:

Anderson R. Primer on the Rheumatic Diseases, ed. 12, 2001.

Dickens C. Psychosomatics, May-June 2003.

Maradit-Kremers, H. Arthritis & Rheumatism, February 2005.

American College of Rheumatology Annual Scientific Meeting, 2008.

Johns Hopkins Vasculitis Center: "Rheumatoid Vasculitis Information."

University of California, San Francisco: "Rheumatoid Arthritis and the Lung."

Arthritis Foundation: "Infection Risk with Anti-TNF Therapy," "Depression in People with RA," "Rheumatoid Arthritis: What Are the Effects?"

Next In Rheumatoid Arthritis
Organizations

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Rheumatoid Arthritis Complications and Effects on the Body

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When you think of rheumatoid arthritis, or RA, you might think of stiff, painful joints. But you may not know that complications can occur in other parts of your body. The same process that hurts your joints can also cause problems for your eyes, lungs, skin, heart, blood vessels, and other organs.

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this tells what this type of arthritis does to your bones and joints

i noticed that most plastic jar openers have a 0 or a 1 star rating

and mot electric jar openers have 3 to 2 stars

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what is rheumatoid arthritis - Google Search

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This link shows what rheumatoid arthritis is and explains what it can do to you.

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Overview

Rheumatoid arthritis is a chronic inflammatory disorder that can affect more than just your joints. In some people, the condition also can damage a wide variety of body systems, including the skin, eyes, lungs, heart and blood vessels.

An autoimmune disorder, rheumatoid arthritis occurs when your immune system mistakenly attacks your own body's tissues.

Unlike the wear-and-tear damage of osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis affects the lining of your joints, causing a painful swelling that can eventually result in bone erosion and joint deformity.

The inflammation associated with rheumatoid arthritis is what can damage other parts of the body as well. While new types of medications have improved treatment options dramatically, severe rheumatoid arthritis can still cause physical disabilities.

Symptoms

Signs and symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis may include:

Tender, warm, swollen joints

Joint stiffness that is usually worse in the mornings and after inactivity

Fatigue, fever and weight loss

Early rheumatoid arthritis tends to affect your smaller joints first - particularly the joints that attach your fingers to your hands and your toes to your feet.

As the disease progresses, symptoms often spread to the wrists, knees, ankles, elbows, hips and shoulders. In most cases, symptoms occur in the same joints on both sides of your body.

About 40 percent of the people who have rheumatoid arthritis also experience signs and symptoms that don't involve the joints. Rheumatoid arthritis can affect many nonjoint structures, including:

Rheumatoid arthritis signs and symptoms may vary in severity and may even come and go. Periods of increased disease activity, called flares, alternate with periods of relative remission - when the swelling and pain fade or disappear. Over time, rheumatoid arthritis can cause joints to deform and shift out of place.

When to see a doctor

Make an appointment with your doctor if you have persistent discomfort and swelling in your joints.

Causes

Rheumatoid arthritis occurs when your immune system attacks the synovium - the lining of the membranes that surround your joints.

The resulting inflammation thickens the synovium, which can eventually destroy the cartilage and bone within the joint.

The tendons and ligaments that hold the joint together weaken and stretch. Gradually, the joint loses its shape and alignment.

Doctors don't know what starts this process, although a genetic component appears likely. While your genes don't actually cause rheumatoid arthritis, they can make you more susceptible to environmental factors - such as infection with certain viruses and bacteria - that may trigger the disease.

Risk factors

Factors that may increase your risk of rheumatoid arthritis include:

Your sex. Women are more likely than men to develop rheumatoid arthritis.

Age. Rheumatoid arthritis can occur at any age, but it most commonly begins between the ages of 40 and 60.

Family history. If a member of your family has rheumatoid arthritis, you may have an increased risk of the disease.

Smoking. Cigarette smoking increases your risk of developing rheumatoid arthritis, particularly if you have a genetic predisposition for developing the disease. Smoking also appears to be associated with greater disease severity.

Environmental exposures. Although uncertain and poorly understood, some exposures such as asbestos or silica may increase the risk for developing rheumatoid arthritis. Emergency workers exposed to dust from the collapse of the World Trade Center are at higher risk of autoimmune diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis.

Obesity. People who are overweight or obese appear to be at somewhat higher risk of developing rheumatoid arthritis, especially in women diagnosed with the disease when they were 55 or younger.

Complications

Rheumatoid arthritis increases your risk of developing:

Osteoporosis. Rheumatoid arthritis itself, along with some medications used for treating rheumatoid arthritis, can increase your risk of osteoporosis - a condition that weakens your bones and makes them more prone to fracture.

Rheumatoid nodules. These firm bumps of tissue most commonly form around pressure points, such as the elbows. However, these nodules can form anywhere in the body, including the lungs.

Dry eyes and mouth. People who have rheumatoid arthritis are much more likely to experience Sjogren's syndrome, a disorder that decreases the amount of moisture in your eyes and mouth.

Infections. The disease itself and many of the medications used to combat rheumatoid arthritis can impair the immune system, leading to increased infections.

Abnormal body composition. The proportion of fat compared to lean mass is often higher in people who have rheumatoid arthritis, even in people who have a normal body mass index (BMI).

Carpal tunnel syndrome. If rheumatoid arthritis affects your wrists, the inflammation can compress the nerve that serves most of your hand and fingers.

Heart problems. Rheumatoid arthritis can increase your risk of hardened and blocked arteries, as well as inflammation of the sac that encloses your heart.

Lung disease. People with rheumatoid arthritis have an increased risk of inflammation and scarring of the lung tissues, which can lead to progressive shortness of breath.

Lymphoma. Rheumatoid arthritis increases the risk of lymphoma, a group of blood cancers that develop in the lymph system.

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Our patients tell us that the quality of their interactions, our attention to detail and the efficiency of their visits mean health care like they've never experienced. See the stories of satisfied Mayo Clinic patients.

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Rheumatoid arthritis - Symptoms and causes

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Rheumatoid arthritis is a chronic inflammatory disorder that can affect more than just your joints. In some people, the condition also can damage a wide variety of body systems, including the skin, eyes, lungs, heart and blood vessels. An autoimmune disorder, rheumatoid arthritis occurs when your immune system mistakenly attacks your own body's tissues.

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This ad describes a little device that sticks to furniture. you don't need a very strong grip, just turn and it will open.

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EZ Off Jar Opener / The Original Under the Cabinet Jar Opener!

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kitchen, RV, office, bathroom, second home, easily opens, jam, pickle, juice, peanut butter, kitchen jars, nail polish, child-proof medicine bottles; modgepoge

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Also, if you could squeeze and twist the lid at the same time, it would be easier for the modern day people too! It would only require a little bit more rubber and metal.

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On number one, it advertises a bottle opener that can open can, bottle, and jars. It is also easy to use.

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If you've ever used an electric can opener, you're probably familiar with the splashing and seepage that can occur when removing the lid. This device eliminates that by cutting into the side of the can rather than the top (which is a bonus for those pull-tab tops that can otherwise take some strength to remove). After a light push of the ergonomic lever, the machine does the rest of the work. An Amazon Choice, the Hamilton Beach has been upgraded from its previous version to meet consumer needs. There is no retractable cord on this opener, but you can wind it around a tab in the back for storage purposes.

With over 8,000 reviews and 81% being a five-star rating and above you know this is a smart pick. Reviewers comment that this machine makes it fun to open cans and they don't worry about cutting their hands.

The OXO opener may not be electric, but its snap-and-lock feature and cushy handle make it so you can grip the opener without much effort at all, making it smart for tired hands. Reviewers also like the fact that the opener never touches the contents of the can, so it can be thrown right back into the drawer after use (rather than having to wash it). What's also great is the smooth cut the opener provides, preventing any unnecessary kitchen scrapes and cuts. Another bonus is the little window on the top of the opener, which means, you can see exactly when the opener is done making its full circle around the can.

Reviewers who suffer from arthritis continue to buy this opener when the older ones break after many years because it is that good.

Users who buy this opener have come back to comment on how pleased they are about the length of time they've had their device, especially considering the cost-effectiveness of the item. The base of this item is also wide enough to ensure sturdiness so there's no slipping on a smooth counter top or toppling over when a heavy item is being opened. The Cuisinart is a single-touch device and is able to handle any standard-size can.

Not only is this a can opener, but it is a knife sharpener, bag cutter, and bottle opener as well. Another bonus of the Black and Decker is that it can actually be mounted below a cabinet (or the like) to save counter space. It also remains quite "hidden" and has an easy-open door where you access the actual opening mechanism. Weighing just over a pound, this machine allows for those of all hand strengths and mobility issues to be able to move it around without issue.

The sleek design of the Aicok is a draw in itself but the go-to feature of this opener is its ability to open tall cans. Users also love the quiet hum of the device, which can be hard to find in can openers. The blade is efficient and smooth and gets the job done with a push of a button. This Amazon Choice opener uses a magnetic device to make sure there are no lids splashing into the can once it's been opened! This model also has a built-in knife sharpener and can opener making it a handy kitchen gadget.

This classic design may not be fancy but it sure gets the job done. Hamilton Beach uses patented technology to ensure each can opens on the first try every single time, which means, it's not only efficient but also easy to use! The machine also has an automatic shutoff and a built-in knife sharpener. This Amazon Choice also appeals to shoppers because of its affordable price point. When you are all done opening cans the cutting unit can be removed and placed in the dishwasher for easy cleaning.

Some reviewers note that opening tall cans can be a little tricky so if you often open larger items it might be best to pass on this option if you have achy hands.

If you're on a budget but need something that is easy on the hands, this Proctor Silex opener fits the bill. This gadget is able to maneuver tall cans (just make sure to have a hand on the can at all times), has cord storage and a lever that twists off for easy cleaning. Also to note, the opener has a pretty slim design and doesn't take up much space on the countertop making it great for people with a small kitchen. The item comes in black and white.

Disclosure

At Verywell, our Expert writers are committed to researching and writing thoughtful and editorially independent reviews of the best products for your life and your family. If you like what we do, you can support us through our chosen links, which earn us a commission.

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The 7 Best Can Openers for Arthritis Sufferers to Buy in 2018

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If you've ever used an electric can opener, you're probably familiar with the splashing and seepage that can occur when removing the lid. This device eliminates that by cutting into the side of the can rather than the top (which is a bonus for those pull-tab tops that can otherwise take some strength to remove).

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I think makeing a jar opener that you squeeze the bottom to open the lid would be a good idea. So that the people with arthritis wouldnt have to squeeze the lid.

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It should be a automatic jar opener that twists the lid and pop up the lid to open the jar. This link shows an electronic can opener. The design of can openers should be hands off and easy to use.

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The Superior Electric Can Opener - Hammacher Schlemmer

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This electric can opener scored the highest in every testing category, earning The Best title from the Hammacher Schlemmer Institute. While lesser models dropped cans after opening, The Best model maintained its tight grip until the lever was disengaged.

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The patent date and some matierials

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CA2464724A1 - Motorized jar opener system and method - Google Patents

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A jar opener system (10) including a housing (12) and upper (16) and lower (18) jaw assemblies operatively coupled thereto to engage the lid and non-lid portions of a covered jar. A motor (14) is operatively coupled to a jaw assembly and to the housing, which advantageously further includes a multi-positional portion partially defining the covered jar receiving area.

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The info of the inventor and some info about the product

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US1887152A - Fruit jar opener and holder - Google Patents

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' The jar openers heretofore marketed were made of rubber in the form of a closed ring, and-in consequence ifthe jar cover was of larger size than conveniently accommodated by the interior diameter of the jar opener, diiculty was experienced in getting the jar opener over the jar cover.

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it talkes about a woman who has rheumatoid athritis and she looked at lots of jar openers but they didnt work so it shows the hamilton bech atomatic jar opener

and the mann talkes about his wife and her problems with authritis

my ideas are that in my research i found that there alot of jar openers thet dont work

also inmy research i found some electric jar openers that only open fery few jars

so there are also alot of plastic jar openers

i think of an electric powered jar opener

you are ale to extend the jar clamp to open any size jar

the jar clamps clamp the bottom of the lid with grip and spin it off

most jar openers dont have extendible clamps

thats the reason wy those ones cant open alot of jars

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Amazon.com: Customer reviews: Hamilton Beach Open Ease Automatic Jar Opener, Model 76800

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Find helpful customer reviews and review ratings for Hamilton Beach Open Ease Automatic Jar Opener, Model 76800 at Amazon.com. Read honest and unbiased product reviews from our users.