When it comes to dealing with chronic diseases like rheumatoid arthritis, being able to understand the health information you receive from doctors can make a big difference in effective disease management.

Excessive pounds can put added pressure on the joints of obese individuals. Man or woman, that added pressure may contribute to arthritis. But new research suggests that obesity may have a bigger impact on arthritis in women than in men.

If you were diagnosed with ankylosing spondylitis, your doctor may have recommended that you watch your posture and exercise regularly. But have you followed these instructions in the same way you would your prescribed medication? Well, new findings may convince you to workout more.

To ease the pain that comes with rheumatoid arthritis, some patients opt for methods of care that don't require a prescription. How these alternative methods have been used varies from patient to patient and across different ethnicities.

Although there are many different types of medications for rheumatoid arthritis, some patients don’t respond to treatment and physicians are still looking for safer and more effective alternatives. One of these alternatives may be tofacitinib (Xeljanz).

Even though the cause of rheumatoid arthritis remains unknown, researchers continue to find ways that could help people reduce their risk of this painful disease. A recent study found that a simple diet change might protect against the development of rheumatoid arthritis in women.

The type of medical care patients get depends on several factors. Some patients with psoriasis, or the arthritis that can accompany psoriasis, don't believe they get enough quality care.

Inflammation plays a central role in rheumatoid arthritis. That inflammation, or swelling, is what leads to joint damage and serious pain. Inflammation also plays a role in certain blood clotting disorders. So could rheumatoid arthritis patients be at risk of clotting disorders?

There are so many medications to treat rheumatoid arthritis that it can be hard to tell which one will work best. One group of experts is telling patients where they should start.

Painful and achy joints aren't just for the elderly. Kids get arthritis too. And to create more awareness of this childhood condition, July has been designated as Juvenile Arthritis Awareness Month.