Family health: exercises help with arthritis

People wanting to improve their family's health should advise any relatives who suffer from rheumatoid arthritis to keep active because it is beneficial to people with the condition, according one expert.

Lynn Love, director of operations at the National Rheumatoid Arthritis Society, said that exercises like those seen in Tai Chi can help to reduce the pain sufferers go through.

"Gentle exercises are certainly beneficial for many people with rheumatoid arthritis, but that is down to the individual because the disease could be so different in every individual," she said.

Other activities the expert recommended included swimming, which is good because it works every muscle group and helps joints stay active and supple.

The National Audit Office recently stated that rheumatoid arthritis can shorten life expectancy by six to ten years and is the equivalent to the impact of diabetes, stroke or coronary heart disease.

Written by Alice Rowe

© Adfero Ltd

Date Posted: 30/10/2009

Family health: Drink problem needs to be address

People who want to improve their family health need to ensure that they do not drink too much alcohol, according to one expert, who said that the whole country has a problem with the substance.Dr. Rachel Seabrook, research manager at the Institute of Alcohol Studies, said that pricing of alcohol...

Date Posted: 01/02/2010

Lifestyle factors are influencing family health

Many people are leaving it later in family life to have a child, according to one expert, who said that "inequitable social criteria" could stop many older couples getting access to some NHS treatment.Clare Lewis-Jones, chief executive of Infertility Network UK, said that more mature couples need to know that...

Date Posted: 28/01/2010

Family life: Guilt will not stop women smoking

Pregnant women should not be forced to give up smoking, according to one expert, who said that the decision is one that has to be made by the mother rather than other members of family life. Janet Fyle, professional policy advisor for the Royal College of Midwives (RCM), said that...

Date Posted: 27/01/2010