People think of arthritis as a problem for older folks—and it surely is. But about 300,000 children in the U.S. have painful, swollen, and stiff joints caused by juvenile arthritis (JA). Fortunately, up to half of kids under age 6 bounce back from milder forms of the disease with customized drug therapy to reduce swelling and relieve pain. “Having juvenile arthritis in fewer than five joints is a good indicator that youngsters will outgrow the disease,” explains Michael Blakley, M.D., who specializes in rheumatology at Riley Hospital for Children in Indianapolis.

Having more than five inflamed joints, or a history of the skin disease psoriasis (also an autoimmune disease in which the immune system mistakenly attacks normal cells), predicts more lasting problems. Even then, steroids and new immune-suppressing medicines called biologics can stop inflammation and help protect kids with JA from bone, muscle, and eye complications that were once commonplace, Dr. Blakley says.

JA affects mobility and energy levels and includes any form of arthritis or an arthritis-related condition that is detected in children or teens under age 18. To learn more about JA, browse arthritis.org.

Juvenile Arthritis The Saturday Evening Post

“For an entire year, I painted an apple a day to help raise awareness and funds for the Spondylitis Association of America—and just to have fun! Apples symbolize that health and healing are possible despite dealing with a difficult and painful disease,” explains Visscher, who is one of approximately 2.4 million Americans living with AS.

AS can’t keep Jenna down.  She is a power writer for The Fight Like a Girl Club and WEGOHealth.com, and her daily blog, “The Feeding Edge,” urges people to “Be part of the Story, Be part of the Cure!”

An Apple a Day The Saturday Evening Post

We’re happy to say that the tradition continues. In the September 2010 issue, Post writer Elizabeth Svoboda profiles eight remarkable discoveries that offer hope for practical solutions to debilitating medical problems such as diabetes, heart disease, arthritis, and more.

Here’s a sneak peak at the upcoming issue, as well as a sampling of diabetes discoveries from the Post archives.

A Look Ahead

Artificial Pancreas (w/image and video of automated insulin delivery system)

When Tyler Wolf was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes as a teenager, his diabetes management routine abruptly became a looming part of his life. Like many of the nearly 24 million diabetes sufferers in the United States, Wolf had to test his blood sugar and give himself insulin injections every day. The grueling routine grated on him. He sometimes rebelled, refusing to check his blood sugar and ending up woozy and delusional as a result.

Dr. Stuart Weinzimer, an endocrinologist at Yale University, is working to ensure that someday patients like Wolf won’t have to wrangle with needles and home test strips anymore. In conjunction with Minneapolis-based Medtronic, Dr. Weinzimer is developing an “artificial pancreas” for diabetics. This automated insulin delivery system, about the size of a small paperback book, includes a continuous glucose monitor (CGM) that channels real-time blood sugar readings to an insulin pump, which then directs the pump to dispense the proper amount of insulin to keep blood sugar levels in equilibrium.

Wolf was among the first patients to evaluate the device, and he was immediately impressed at how it took over the work of managing his disease for him. “The idea of never having to worry about monitoring—that’s close to a cure,” Wolf says. Dr. Weinzimer hopes that it will be commercially available within the next decade.

Here’s a video of the experimental automated insulin deliver system from Medtronic.

A Look Back

Some 70 years before Dr. Weinzimer’s work on an artificial pancreas, research by Dr. F. G. Banting and Dr. Charles Best and colleagues at the University of Toronto led to the remarkable discovery of insulin for treating diabetes, as described in the June 9, 1923, Post article “Clearing the Skies for the Sugar-Poisoned” by Woods Hutchinson, A.M., M.D., who writes:

“Although the processes concerned were extremely complicated and progress correspondingly slow, we are now happily able to announce the first positive step toward the answer of the fateful riddle [why sugar builds up in the bloodstream], one that bids fair to give new hope to all diabetics.

“This is no less than the discovery of the hormone—Greek for stimulator—or spark juice, which enables our bodies to burn sugar and whose absence makes us diabetic.”

By May 15, 1948, the Post reported in “What Your Should Know About Diabetes” by Steven M. Spencer, that Dr. Priscilla White’s “baby-saving program” had dramatically decreased infant deaths by treating diabetic mothers with insulin shots during pregnancy. The US Public Health Service was conducting blood testing of entire communities, and leading expert Dr. Elliott Joslin (founder of today’s renowned Joslin Center in Boston) was described as a zealous archfoe of diabetes who was unmatched “in spreading hope among the known diabetics and urging intensive search for the unknown ones”.

Oral pills for older people with mild diabetes made their American debut in the August 24, 1957, issue of the Post. The article, “Good News for Diabetics” written by Milton Silverman, chronicled the accidental discovery and eventual controversial FDA approval of tolbutamide (Orinase). Early research by French physician Dr. Auguste Loubatieres in sulfa drugs ultimately gave rise to the new pill but was overlooked for more than a decade, wrote Silverman.

“Clearing the Skies for the Sugar-Poisoned” by Woods Hutchinson, published June 9, 1923. “What Your Should Know About Diabetes” by Steven M. Spencer, published May 15, 1948. “Good News for Diabetics” by Milton Silverman, published August 24, 1957.

Medical Breakthroughs: Past and Present The Saturday Evening Post

Blooming Prairie, Minnesota

Your symptoms match those of Dupuytren’s contracture, a sometimes disabling (but not dangerous) condition that pulls fingers toward the palm and locks them there. It’s unrelated to arthritis. “Dupuytren’s causes painless contraction of fibrous tissue directly under the skin of the palm and fingers, and may be associated with nodules or cords in the palm. Over time, an affected finger may bend into a hook,” notes Dr. Taizoon H. Baxamusa, who is affiliated with the University of Illinois at Chicago and the Illinois Bone & Joint Institute in Morton Grove. “The cause of Dupuytren’s is not known; however, there is a strong hereditary association, especially among people of Northern European or Scandinavian descent. It’s more common in men than women, and risk increases with age.

“Dupuytren’s is sometimes confused with trigger finger, tendonitis, or arthritis. Try this simple test: Place the hand and fingers flat on a tabletop. If you are unable to do so, or the finger curls under, you may wish to seek a formal evaluation by an orthopaedic surgeon.”

New treatments include nonsurgical needling techniques and injections of the biologic drug Xiaflex.

Crooked Finger? The Saturday Evening Post

Hand in Hand for RA

Nearly 75 percent of people with RA are looking for ways to be more active and give back to their communities, according to a 2009 online survey of 501 men and women with the condition. In addition, about 30 percent of the respondents report volunteer work helps them better manage their RA symptoms.

Debbie McGrady, diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis about 10 years ago, knows from personal experience that helping others is good medicine for one’s own health challenges, too.

Having a serious illness prompted the Indiana resident to reassess her life goals and priorities. As a result of her personal “revolution,” the mother of two let go of self-imposed physical limitations and began to connect with others in new ways. Today she works part time, drives seniors to their doctor’s appointments, and remains committed to staying fit.

Click here http://www.handinhandforra.com/ to read more about McGrady and other inspiring volunteers who are living well with RA. The Web site, sponsored by advocacy group CreakyJoints http://www.creakyjoints.org/ and drug companies Genentech and Biogen Idec, also provides a list of suggested volunteer activities that are easy on the joints in addition to tips for managing the disease. 

New Way RA

Now in its second season, Deborah Norville’s online talk show, New Way RA, http://www.newwayra.com/ features panelists Amye Leong, RA advocate and spokesperson for the United Nations Bone and Joint Decade, and Sara Nash, author of the RA blog The Single Gal’s Guide to Rheumatoid Arthritis <http://singlegalsguidetora.typepad.com/>.  

Monthly episodes will offer information and advice about diagnosing RA, connecting with a rheumatologist, and easy-to-wear looks for everyday style. Registration is free, but required to view current and past episodes.

For more Post coverage on living with RA, including foods to reduce inflammation, click here.

Rheumatoid Arthritis The Saturday Evening Post

“Most people don’t realize that almost everything we do throughout the day—walking, getting in and out of a car, using the stairs—is on one leg,” notes Hamersly. “Taking a couple minutes each day for balance and flexibility exercises pays off with better function and less pain—and it might even keep bone surgeons and physical therapists out of your life.” Always use a sturdy chair, railing, or other nearby surface for support and safety.

Photos by Perry Reichanadter

1. Lift Off

Lift Off

Sitting on the edge of a firm chair or table, straighten knee by lifting foot out in front of you. Work up to 3 sets of 10 repetitions with each leg, once daily. Then, add weight to the ankle with a purse, bookbag, or 1-pound bag of rice or beans—even a grocery bag holding a gallon of milk. Strengthens the four large muscles on the front of the thigh.

2. Arch Up

Arch Up

Each morning, lie face-down on the floor or bed. Place hands near the shoulders and press up with your hands. Hold 5-10 seconds, then relax. Repeat 10 times.

During the day, stand and bend backwards 1 or 2 times every hour while gently pressing hips forward with your hands. Extending the back helps offset hours of hunching over in our offices, cars, and easy chairs.

3. Stand Firm

Stand Firm

Stand on one leg for as long as possible. Repeat with other leg. Beginner level: hold onto a chair. As balance improves, use two fingertips, and then one. Advanced: stand on one leg with eyes closed, barefoot or on a pillow. Strengthens core, back, hip, leg, and ankle.

4. Straighten Out

Straighten Out

Lean against a wall with back and neck straight. Tilt pelvis forward slightly to tighten abdominal muscles. Press shoulders back and hold. As you gain strength and flexibility, also place your arms (bent at elbow and raised to shoulder level) against the wall, press back and hold. Strengthens core and upper body.

5. Step Down

Step Down

Steady yourself and stand on a large hard-backed book with chest out and shoulders back. Tap a heel on the floor and return to starting position. Work up to 20+ reps with each leg, once daily. Strengthens ankle, Achilles tendon, knee, leg, hip, and abdomen.

6. Step Back

Step Back

Steady yourself and drop one heel off of a step. Hold about 10 seconds. Repeat with other heel. Work up to 1 minute, each side,   3 to 5 times a day. Strengthens calf, Achilles tendon, and ankle.

7. Press Back

Press Back

Sit or stand against a wall with back and neck straight. Press the back of your neck toward wall and hold for 10 seconds. Strengthens deep neck muscles and improves posture.

8. Paint the Wall

Paint the Wall

Lie on your side and prop up head on hand. Place other arm at side with elbow bent 90 degrees. Tap hand to belly button. Then, rotate hand toward ceiling. Work up to 3 sets of 10 repetitions with each arm, 3 times a week. Advanced level: Add weight to the arm by holding a soup can, water bottle, or 1-pound weight. Strengthens the shoulder’s rotator cuff muscles.

9. Stretch Out

Stretch Out

Sit up straight in a chair. Keep one foot on the floor and place the other on a firm surface in front of you. Hold for 1 minute. Then, repeat with other leg. Good knee extension improves control and strength of thigh and leg muscles.

10. Get Centered

Get Centered

Lie face down on the floor. Then, prop up body on elbows and toes. Keep neck straight and hold for as long as possible. Work up to 5 sets of 1 minute. Strengthens lower abdominal and shoulder stabilizing muscles.

Stronger Muscles, Healthier Joints The Saturday Evening Post

My sed rate is back to normal, and I am doing much better. However, I am having “crinkling” of the retina. My eye doctor says this is not due to the Hydroxychlor. Can you tell me what might cause the crinkling to develop? My vision is now slightly blurred. Thank you for any comments.

M
Tennessee

“Crinkling” of the Retina The Saturday Evening Post

Osteoarthritis and Rheumatoid Arthritis The Saturday Evening Post

I imagine many readers might benefit from my suggestion to improve health: In what would otherwise be wasted minutes “holding” on the phone, do your daily exercises. I happen to have a compressed nerve in my back as well as arthritic knees. My physician gave me specific exercises to help alleviate the pain. When I’m waiting on the phone to speak to insurance companies, store clerks, medical secretaries, etc., I work on knee bends, leg stretches, and toe touching. It beats just sitting or standing until someone answers your call. Let’s take advantage of all those kinds of moments throughout the day to improve our health.

One-Minute Fitness Tips The Saturday Evening Post